Napier Guide
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| The Dome, T&G Building, Napier, Hawkes Bay. |
The town of Napier, population around 67,000, is located on the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island in the Hawke's Bay region. Napier is Hawke's Bay's showcase city, a beautiful town, partly on the flat, partly on a hill, beside the sea.
History
Originally settled by Maori tribes such as Ngāti Kahungunu, the area later became a center for European settlers in the mid-19th century, officially becoming a borough in 1874.
The devastating 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake destroyed Napier and claimed over 250 lives. It was rebuilt in the architectural style that was fashionable at the time: art deco.
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| National Tobacco Company Building (1933) |
Architecture
Lovingly maintained, Napier is an architectural gem, beautifully landscaped, that anyone can appreciate for its simple, elegant beauty. The Daily Telegraph Building on Tennyson Street is a standout. The National Tobacco Company Building aka Rothman's Building is work of the architect Louis Hay. It was commissioned by Gerhard Husheer, the German-born businessman and pioneer of New Zealand's tobacco industry.
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| Statue of Pania (aka Pania of the Reef unveiled in 1954) |
Attractions
Museums and other attractions include the MTG Hawke's Bay - a museum-theatre-gallery space in Napier and the National Aquarium of New Zealand also in Napier.
Constructed in 1862 and closed as a prison in 1993, Napier Prison on Napier Hill remains the oldest prison complex in the country. In 2002 the prison complex opened as a tourist attraction. The Statue of Pania (unveiled in 1954), also known as Pania of the Reef, stands on Marine Parade in Napier, and commemorates the legendary Māori figure Pania.
Step back in time during Napier's Art Deco Festival which takes place in February and attracts in excess of 40,000 visitors. It features over 200 events. Highlights include live entertainment, outdoor concerts, vintage car parades, fashion shows, and the iconic Great Gatsby picnic.
McLean Park is one of the largest cricket grounds in New Zealand and also hosts rugby union games.
Nearby is Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony and many vineyards around Bay View and the Esk Valley.
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| Napier Prison is now a popular tourist attraction |
Agriculture
Forestry and sheep farming are both important in the region. In 2018, almost 2 million tons of logs were exported from the Port of Napier.
Wine & Dine
Crab Farm near Napier (511 Main Road, Bay View) serves great food and, of course, unforgettably good wine from the premises.
Access - Getting There
Hawke's Bay Airport is 8 km north of Napier. It has flights to and from Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, and Wellington. There are buses to Napier from Taupo, Rotorua and Wellington. Buses stop at Clive Square Bus Stop in Napier and Napier i-SITE is at 100 Marine Parade (Tel: 06 834 1911).
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| The Gilray Fountain, aka the Spirit of Napier, along Marine Parade |
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