Longlands, Hastings: Suburb Guide to Rural Community, Orchards and Farmland Near the City

Last updated October 2026

Longlands is a rural community on the southern and western outskirts of Hastings in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay Region. It covers fertile plains that support extensive orchards and vegetable growing.

The area blends quiet farmland with convenient access to Hastings city services and amenities. Longlands maintains a strong agricultural focus while serving as a residential base for those who value rural surroundings close to urban facilities. Statistical areas within it include Irongate and Longlands-Pukahu.

Official Suburb Facts

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In Longlands

Places and businesses inside the official Longlands boundary.

Businesses

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About Longlands

Longlands lies within the Hastings District and forms part of the productive Hawke’s Bay agricultural landscape on the Heretaunga Plains. The area features open fields, smaller farm blocks, and orchards that produce apples and other fruit and vegetable crops. Its position provides residents with rural peace alongside short drives into Hastings for shopping, healthcare, and other services.

The community comprises the statistical areas of Irongate and Longlands-Pukahu. Demographics show a mix of European (78.4%), Māori (20.3%), Pasifika (9.2%), and other ethnicities. Median ages are higher than the national average in Longlands-Pukahu (46.8 years).

Longlands has deep agricultural roots. The former Longlands Estate occupied much of the land around 1880 before subdivision into smaller farms and the establishment of a freezing works in the early twentieth century. Today, fruit and vegetable production continues to shape the local economy and landscape, with the area recognised as a centre for growing produce.

History

European settlement in the Longlands area centred on large estates that were later broken up. The Longlands Estate dominated the land around 1880. A railway flag station opened in 1912 on the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line, after a sheep and cattle yard was established in 1911, supporting the movement of livestock and produce.

The line through the area had opened earlier in 1875. The station closed to all traffic on 18 May 1980, though a service siding was retained for about a decade. Remnants of this transport history remain visible in the rural setting. The station was located south of Longlands Road, between Hastings and Pakipaki.

Agriculture and Economy

Fruit and vegetable production forms the core of Longlands’ economy. Orchards and market gardens dominate the fertile plains, benefiting from the region’s climate and soils. Local farms contribute to Hawke’s Bay’s reputation for high-quality produce, including apples and other crops. Many operations focus on commercial horticulture suited to the Heretaunga Plains.

Access and Getting Around

Longlands is reached via local roads such as Longlands Road West and is a short drive from central Hastings. The Palmerston North–Gisborne Line still runs through the area, though the former flag station is closed. Residents typically travel into Hastings for most services, schools, shops, and healthcare, as local amenities are limited in this rural setting.

Near Longlands

Just outside Longlands, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.

Places

Whenua Takoha ReserveNeighbourhood Parks · 2.1 kmEbbett Park PlaygroundHastings Urban Playgrounds · 2.1 kmEbbett ParkNeighbourhood Parks · 2.2 kmAkina ParkNeighbourhood Parks · 2.7 kmHugh Little Park FlaxmereFlaxmere Parks · 3.0 kmHastings Art GalleryArt and Cultural Venues · 3.1 km

Businesses

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Home Sweat HomePersonal Trainers · 3.5 kmFeaturedMe Time Thai MassageHealth and Wellness · 3.5 kmFeaturedFrimley DentalDentists · 3.9 kmFeaturedIngrid Milnes Metabolic Health CoachingHealth Coaches · 6.0 kmFeaturedThe Beauty SpotBeauty Spas · 3.2 kmClaremonte Motor LodgeMotels · 3.2 km

Where to Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Longlands known for?
Longlands is known for its rural farmland, orchards, and vegetable growing on the outskirts of Hastings.

Is Longlands part of Hastings city?
No, it is a rural community on the southern and western outskirts of Hastings within the Hastings District.

What kind of farming occurs in Longlands?
The area is a centre for fruit and vegetable production, particularly apples and other orchard crops.

Are there schools or shops in Longlands itself?
Longlands is rural with limited local services; residents typically access schools, shops, and healthcare in nearby Hastings.

How do I reach Longlands from Hastings?
Longlands is reached via local roads such as Longlands Road West and is a short drive from central Hastings.

Does Longlands have a railway station?
A former flag station on the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line operated from 1912 until it closed to all traffic on 18 May 1980; the line remains active but the station is closed.

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Explore Hastings only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Longlands is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.