Napier - North Island, New Zealand

Napier is the largest city in the Hawkes Bay region. It has a stylish collection of art deco buildings, and a long and interesting history.

Discovered by Captain Cook in 1769 as he sailed past Ahuriri backed by a beautiful salt water lagoon, he anchored at Cape Kidnappers due to an uncordial encounter with the local Maori people.

He was followed by early whalers thirty years later and Ahuriri was deserted. Napier weathered the New Zealand wars of the 1860s and emerged unscathed to become a thriving commercial centre with a booming port.

On February 3, 1931, Napier was rocked by a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, the biggest in New Zealand's history. In the space of three minutes, the city centre was totally destroyed and the ensuing fire ravaged the wooden structures leaving the city in ruins.

The land level was raised two metres. The Ahururi Lagoon was drained of water and three hundred square kms of land was recovered from the ocean. This caused the city to expand and Napier made full use of this bonus land to rebuild itself with distinction.

The new city design was heavily influenced by the Art Deco Movement. It is interesting to note that Napier ranks alongside Miami Beach as one of the largest art deco collections in the world.

Hawkes Bay Airport is located 5 kms north of Napier on SH2. There is a shuttle service from the airport to the city centre. The Visitor Centre is on Marine Parade.

Long distance buses drop off visitors at the Napier Travel Centre which is about ten minutes walk from the visitor centre. The Department of Conservation (DOC) office is also on Marine Parade and is a rich source of local information. There are leaflets available on walks around the Napier region.

The Explorer bus takes you around Napier's local sights. It is easy to walk around. There are beautiful wineries around the place. You can go on a winery tour, hire a car, rent a bike or get a taxi to enjoy the sights of Napier.

Napier Accommodation

Napier accommodation choices are of a huge variety. There is heavy demand for accommodation in Napier from Christmas to March. There are lot of motels, cheap backpacker hostels, stylish B&Bs (bed and breakfasts) and homestays all in the vicinity of the city centre. Campsites are located farther from the city centre.

Tucked under Bluff Hill, Napier is a picturesque city overlooking the sea. The grid patterned streets of the commercial art deco city centre are named after famous English literary personalities. Emerson St, Clive Square and Marine Parade all add gaiety to the city. The strip adjoining Marine Parade is the main beach area but its treacherous currents and wild surf make it unsafe for swimming.

The most striking aspect of the Napier city centre is its stylish art deco influence, a synthesis of the arts and crafts movement, the Californian Spanish Mission style, ancient Egyptian, and Mayan and Maori imagery.

The Art Deco Trust was established in the 1980s to preserve this incredible early 20th century design feature. Some of the striking buildings displaying impressive art deco designs are the ASB Bank on Emerson St, the Daily Telegraph Building on Tennyson St and the Municipal Theatre.

Napier Activities

The highlight of Napier is the two km long Marine Parade, a stylish boulevard lined by pine trees with walking and cycling tracks. Starting at the Napier Port at the north end, the first attraction on Marine Parade is the Ocean Spa, a salt chlorinated hot pool complex with jets, spouts, bubbles, massages and beauty treatments. Beyond this is the floral clock and the Tom Parker fountain. Next to this is the bronze statue of Pania of the Reef, a Maori legend.

Just opposite Pania of the Reef is the Hawkes Bay Museum housing a prized collection of Maori artifacts. There are displays on Hawkes Bay's colonial history, the 1931 disastrous earthquake and survivors recounting their tales through an audiovisual display. The evolution of art deco design is also highlighted here.

Further down the promenade is Veronica Sun Bay and the Sound Shell stage with a putting course and attractive gardens. Opossum World gives information on New Zealand's greatest pest that destroys native vegetation. There is a popular rollerblading and skating rink.

Close to this is Marineland, a small marine zoo with leopard seals, sea lions and penguins. Most of these creatures are recovering from injuries sustained in the wild. You have to book in advance during summer season to feed the dolphins and for an hour long swim with them.

Further down the boulevard is the National Aquarium of New Zealand, one of New Zealand's best aquariums, continuously updating marine environment exhibits from Africa, Australia, Asia and New Zealand.

There is a spectacular walk through a perspex tunnel called the Ocean Tank giving fantastic views of the rays and the occasional shark. There is hand feeding at the Reef Tank and chance for experienced scuba divers to do a dive in the ocean tank.

Another highlight in Napier is Bluff Hill Domain Lookout to the city's north. The Lookout gives fabulous views of Cape Kidnappers to the west and Mahia Peninsula to the right.

Near the foot of the hill on Coote Rd is the impressive Centennial Gardens with native and exotic vegetation, and an artificial waterfall cascading down the rock in the background. The Napier Prison Tours is another interesting experience. The prison founded in 1863 is now a backpackers hostel.

Napier does not abound in adventure activities. For those seeking some action, there is an indoor climbing wall and tours on gorge exploring and canoeing are offered in the hills to the west of Napier.

Napier offers interesting and varied eating options. Assorted restaurants and cafes are strewn around in the city centre. There are lots of bars and pubs in Ahuriri, just 5 kms northwest of the city. Some of the best food cooked by top class chefs is available at the vineyards of Mission, Craggy Range and Sileni. There are lots of good places for a drink on Hastings Street. There are movie halls in the city.

Both Napier and Hastings plays host to a wide range of festivals in January and February. The Harvest Hawkes Bay festival at the end February attracts food and wine lovers from all over New Zealand for a two day celebration of drinking with entertainment.

Buses connect over two dozen wineries all offering tastings of their best wines. The Mission Vineyard concert takes place in early February with a lineup of top stars performing in front of an audience of 25,000 at the Mission Estate Winery.

The Art Deco Weekend is held towards end of February, spaced out over five superb days of guided walks, open house tours of famous local deco art buildings, bike tours, 1930s dress picnics, dress picnics, champagne breakfasts and silent movies.

LooknbookNZ can arrange your Napier accommodation and Napier activities bookings and let you and your family/friends to have a great time enjoying all that the beautiful city of Napier has to offer.