Hastings Central is the central suburb and business district of Hastings City, in the Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island.

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Hastings Central
Suburb
Municipal Buildings
Coordinates: 39.642031°S 176.843341°E / -39.642031; 176.843341
Country	New Zealand
City	Hastings
Local authority	Hastings District Council
Electoral ward	Hastings-Havelock North General Ward Takitimu Māori Ward
Area [1]
• Land	142 ha (351 acres)
Population  (June 2023)[2]
• Total	550

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St Leonards	Mahora
Raureka	Hastings Central	Mayfair
	Akina	Parkvale

Hastings Central covers 1.42 km² (0.55 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 550 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 387 people per km².

Hastings Central had a population of 444 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (21.3%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 15 people (−3.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 165 households, comprising 246 males and 198 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.24 males per female. The median age was 34.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 51 people (11.5%) aged under 15 years, 135 (30.4%) aged 15 to 29, 207 (46.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (10.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 60.8% European/Pākehā, 19.6% Māori, 4.1% Pacific peoples, 22.3% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 33.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.3% had no religion, 33.8% were Christian, 2.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 2.0% were Hindu, 1.4% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 8.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 63 (16.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 66 (16.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 18 people (4.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 210 (53.4%) people were employed full-time, 66 (16.8%) were part-time, and 18 (4.6%) were unemployed.^[3]

The Bay Plaza includes a Kmart store.^[4] It was renovated in 2013.^[5]

Hastings City Art Gallery opened in 2009.^[6][7][8]

Hastings Central has two public schools:

• Hastings Central School is a co-educational state primary school,^[9][10] with a roll of 155 as of February 2024.^[11][12]
• The associated Kowhai School is a special school,^[13] with a roll of 124 as of February 2024.^[11][14]

There are also three private schools in the area:

• St Joseph's School is a co-educational state-integrated Catholic primary school,^[15][16] with a roll of 227 as of February 2024.^[11][17]
• St Matthew's Primary School is a co-educational state-integrated Anglican primary school,^[18][19] with a roll of 126 as of February 2024.^[11][20]
• Taikura Rudolf Steiner School is a co-educational state-integrated Year 1-13 school,^[21][22] with a roll of 293 as of February 2024.^[11][23]