Finding the best tow truck in Hastings matters most when a car has died on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, slid into a ditch on a rural road or been damaged in a crash. Towing in Hastings covers far more than cars on a hook: local operators handle roadside breakdowns, jump starts, lockouts, winching, heavy salvage for trucks and farm machinery, and secure storage while the insurance side is sorted. Hawkes Bay Towing at Whakatu and Trade Towage on Omahu Road both run 24 hour tow trucks across the district.
1Hawkes Bay Towing
Hawkes Bay Towing operates from a depot on Whakatu Road, between Hastings and Napier, providing 24 hour towing and transport within Hawke’s Bay and across New Zealand. Alongside everyday car towing and roadside breakdown work, the company runs heavy salvage trucks, low loaders and hiabs for trucks, trailers, diggers, boats and agricultural equipment. It suits motorists who need a tow to their mechanic as well as farmers, contractors and fleet owners with heavy machinery to recover or move.
Services
- 24 hour vehicle towing and roadside breakdown recovery
- Vehicle winching, jump starts and car lockout services
- Heavy salvage for trucks, trailers, earthmoving and agricultural equipment
- Machinery moving by slide deck, low loader and hiab
- Short and long term secure vehicle storage
Highlights
- Fleet of 18 trucks, including two specialised heavy salvage trucks
- Heavy salvage operators are qualified mechanics or come from a strong mechanical background
- Hiabs able to lift up to 9,000 kg
- Certified class 1 and 2 pilots for over-dimension freight
- Storage yard fully alarmed with cameras operating 24 hours a day
Location & Contact
Name: Hawkes Bay Towing
Address: 39 Whakatu Road, Whakatu, Hastings
Phone: 06 876 7531
Website: hbtowing.co.nz
2Trade Towage
Trade Towage is a Hawke’s Bay towage and salvage company with a Hastings depot on Omahu Road at Twyford and a second base in Onekawa, Napier. Owner and managing director Steve Karatau started driving tow trucks when he left school and bought the business in 2013, and the company provides 24/7 towing, roadside assistance and vehicle storage across Hastings, Napier and Central Hawke’s Bay. It handles breakdowns headed for a workshop as well as the removal of illegally parked vehicles to a compound.
Services
- 24/7 car and truck towing
- Vehicle and truck winching and salvage
- Agricultural equipment, boat and forklift salvage
- Roadside assistance: jump starts, unlocking vehicles and tyre changes
Highlights
- Owned and run by Steve Karatau since 2013, with more than 40 years of towing experience
- Grown from three trucks to eleven trucks and eleven full-time staff
- Dedicated Hastings depot and phone line, separate from its Napier base
- Short and long term vehicle storage
Location & Contact
Name: Trade Towage
Address: 1432 Omahu Road, Twyford, Hastings 4175
Phone: 06 878 7462
Website: tradetowage.co.nz
How to Choose the Right Tow Truck in Hastings
- 24 hour availability: breakdowns and crashes rarely happen in office hours, so confirm the operator answers the phone and dispatches around the clock, including public holidays.
- The right truck for the job: a lowered, luxury or badly damaged car needs a flatbed or slide deck, while trucks, tractors and diggers need a heavy salvage unit or low loader. Describe the vehicle and where it is when you call.
- Licensing: tow truck drivers need a vehicle recovery (V) endorsement and the business needs a transport service licence. Look for the licence label displayed in the tow truck.
- Storage and insurance handling: if the vehicle cannot go straight to a workshop, ask whether the yard is secure and monitored and whether the operator deals directly with your insurer.
- Clear pricing: ask for a quote covering call-out, distance, winching and any storage days before the vehicle is loaded.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hastings Tow Trucks
How much does a tow truck cost in Hastings?
Towing prices depend on the distance travelled, the size and condition of the vehicle, the time of day and whether winching or recovery work is needed. Most Hawke’s Bay operators quote over the phone, so give the make and model, the pick-up location and the drop-off address when you call.
What should I do while waiting for a tow truck?
Move yourself and any passengers away from traffic, switch on hazard lights and, if it is safe, place a warning triangle behind the vehicle. After a crash, call 111 first if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked, then arrange the tow.
How do I check a towing company is licensed?
Anyone running a vehicle recovery service in New Zealand must hold a transport service licence, and every driver needs a vehicle recovery (V) endorsement on their driver licence. The licence label should be displayed inside each tow truck. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi explains the requirements for vehicle recovery services.
Can a tow truck in Hastings move tractors, trucks or diggers?
Yes, but it takes different equipment from car towing. Heavy salvage trucks, low loaders and hiabs are used to recover and move trucks, trailers, earthmoving machinery and agricultural equipment, which is common work in the orchards and farms around Hastings.
Which parts of Hastings do local tow trucks cover?
Towing in Hastings is typically dispatched from depots on the city’s industrial edge, such as Whakatu on the Napier side and Twyford on Omahu Road to the northwest. From there operators cover central Hastings, Flaxmere, Havelock North and the surrounding rural roads, and many also travel to Napier and Central Hawke’s Bay.
Can a towing company store my vehicle after an accident?
Many Hawke’s Bay tow operators offer short and long term storage in a secure yard, which is useful while an insurance assessor inspects the vehicle or a repair is booked. Ask how the yard is secured, what the daily storage rate is and what you need to bring to collect the vehicle.
Do tow trucks help with flat batteries and lockouts?
Yes. Roadside assistance from a local tow truck operator usually includes jump starts, unlocking vehicles and tyre changes, so a tow is only needed if the car still cannot be driven safely.