Central location
Stay right in Hastings with help arranging transport whenever the team can make it happen.
Compare room optionsHastings, Hawke's Bay
Work-stay backpacking, designed around belonging.
The Rotten Apple is central Hastings accommodation for backpackers who want regional work, a safe base, and a social home that is easy to settle into.
Central
Off a main Hastings street
Work-ready
Local job and setup help
Social
Events, sport, movie nights
"The pick of the crop"
Lonely Planet
Fully furnished backpackers
A practical base in the centre of Hastings.
Come for seasonal work, settle into a ready-made community, and get the essentials handled from day one.
Home-style setup
A fully equipped kitchen, free fruit and vegetables, laundry access, and unlimited showers.
Social rhythm
Killer Pool, Movie Night, themed parties, Soccer Sunday, and a common area made for meeting people.
Work in Hastings
Local knowledge for working holiday travellers.
The original hostel promise was simple: help backpackers find work in the region while giving them a safe, fun place to stay. This rebuild turns that into a clearer onboarding journey.
✓ Help finding regional work opportunities
✓ Support applying for IRD numbers and bank accounts
✓ Friendly staff on hand when plans change
01
Arrive
Get a bed, a tour, and the essentials for your first week.
02
Set up
Sort documents, banking, transport, and work readiness.
03
Plug in
Meet the hostel community and build a routine around work.
Revamped hostel
Clean, communal, and ready for long stays.
Happy backpackers
People come for work and leave with travel friends.
★★★★★I lived and worked from this great hostel for over two years. Within five minutes it was already my home away from home.
★★★★★One of the best hostels I've stayed at. Unbelievable atmosphere, well run, and within days it starts to feel like home.
Ready to book?
Ask about beds, work support, and arrival dates.
114 Heretaunga St. East, Hastings 4122, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand