Napier

Napier is the Art Deco capital of New Zealand.

Napier is situated on the southern shores of Hawke Bay, in the east of New Zealand’s North Island. The surrounding region is a fertile horticulture and viticulture centre, famed for its excellent wine.

Napier is the capital of the Hawke’s Bay regions. It enjoys a warm sunny climate and is a popular holiday destination. Extensively rebuilt in the 1930s after a massive earthquake, the city’s Art Deco buildings are internationally renowned and are a popular tourist attraction. Nowhere else in the world is there such a concentration of buildings from the era. There are guided tours of the historic buildings, and the annual Art Deco weekend in mid February is a highlight of the year.

The town offers visitors a host of other attractions, many concentrated along Marine Parade such as an aquarium, kiwi house, an art gallery, and a museum. Marineland, home to a host of sea creatures such as dolphins, sealions, seals and penguins is also located on Marine Parade, as is Opossum World, which has displays about the possum population in New Zealand. Napier also has attractive Botanical Gardens. Located at the centre of the city, the gardens have flower rimmed lawns and a large aviary.

The area surrounding Napier is responsible for some of the best wine in New Zealand. There are numerous wineries where visitors can enjoy tastings, a tour and a meal. Visitors can visit the wineries independently or take one of the guided tours of the region’s wineries that are available.