Napier Attractions
This important port in Hawke's Bay is named after the colonial administrator General Sir Charles Napier. The town was largely destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1931. In spite of the prevailing economic depression the town was rapidly rebuilt, and its previous neoclassical buildings gave way to art deco designs and the American Spanish mission style. The new buildings were claimed to be earthquake proof.
Skilled publicity, emphasizing the town's climate, its unique assemblage of art-deco and mission-style architecture and the varied scenic attractions of its hinterland, has made Napier (pop. 53,000) a popular tourist center.
Earthquake, 1931
On the morning of February 3rd 1931 there was a severe earthquake in the region, shocks from which were felt as far away as Europe. Buildings in Napier and the neighboring town of Hastings were destroyed and 256 people lost their lives. The seabed in the Ahuriri Lagoon was thrust upwards and the town thus acquired more than 33 sq.km of extra land. This is now covered by pasture, various industrial installations, an airport and the districts of Marewa, Onekawa, Pirimai and Maraenui.
Skilled publicity, emphasizing the town's climate, its unique assemblage of art-deco and mission-style architecture and the varied scenic attractions of its hinterland, has made Napier (pop. 53,000) a popular tourist center.
Earthquake, 1931
On the morning of February 3rd 1931 there was a severe earthquake in the region, shocks from which were felt as far away as Europe. Buildings in Napier and the neighboring town of Hastings were destroyed and 256 people lost their lives. The seabed in the Ahuriri Lagoon was thrust upwards and the town thus acquired more than 33 sq.km of extra land. This is now covered by pasture, various industrial installations, an airport and the districts of Marewa, Onekawa, Pirimai and Maraenui.
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Art Deco Walk
Napier suffered a devastating earthquake in 1931 which lead to the rebuilding of the town. Many of the new structures were completed in art-deco style. A guided Art Deco Walk is available for tourists.
Bluff Hill
To the north of the town center is Bluff Hill, on which are the Centennial Gardens and Bluff Hill Domain. From Bluff Hill Lookout (reached by way of Lighthouse Road) there are magnificent views; in good weather the prospect extends as far as the Mahia Peninsula to the northeast and Cape Kidnappers to the southeast.
Hawke's Bay Art Gallery and Museum
The Hawke's Art Gallery Bay and Museum has a rich collection reflecting the culture and art on the east side of the North Island. Much space is also devoted to contemporary art. Particularly interesting is the audio-visual material on the earthquake and the subsequent rebuilding of the town, with many photographs and eyewitness accounts.
Hawke's Bay Museum
9 Herschell Street / 65 Marine Parade
Napier, Hawkes Bay
New Zealand
9 Herschell Street / 65 Marine Parade
Napier, Hawkes Bay
New Zealand
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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Marine Parade
Marine Parade is the popular waterfront promenade, lined with trees and often busy with locals and tourists.
Marineland of New Zealand (closed)
A major attraction is Marineland of New Zealand, with its displays by performing dolphins, seals and otters, as well as its penguins and gannets.
Marineland was closed to the public on 11 September 2008 following the passing of Kelly, Marineland's last remaining dolphin.
Marineland was closed to the public on 11 September 2008 following the passing of Kelly, Marineland's last remaining dolphin.
Nocturnal Wildlife Centre
The Nocturnal Wildlife Centre maintains a variety of New Zealand animals that are active at night. In the Kiwi House visitors can see New Zealand's national bird, which is an endangered species.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Statue of Pania
In the gardens opposite the Hawk's Bay Art Gallery and Museum is a statue of Pania of the Reef, a mermaid-like figure who features in a Maori legend. Pania loved a man and lived with him on land, in spite of her family's appeals to her to return to the reef. One day when she swam out to visit them she was drawn down into the sea and was unable to return to her lover.
Beside the statue is the Tom Parker Fountain.
Beside the statue is the Tom Parker Fountain.
Art Deco Weekend
The high point of the calendar is the Art Deco Weekend held annually on the third weekend of February. Accommodation should be booked early.
Botanical Gardens
West of the town center, on the slopes of Hospital Hill, are the Botanical Gardens. Close by is Napier's cemetery, with a number of historic gravestones.
Cathedral
From the Hawke's Bay Museum the broad Tennyson Street runs into the town center, passing the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, whose roof fell in during a service on the day of the earthquake. It contains a small chapel dedicated to Bishop Bennett, the first Maori bishop, and the Maori politician Apirana Ngata.
Hawke's Bay Aquarium (National Aquarium of New Zealand)
Hawke's Bay Aquarium has a three-story Oceanarium in which visitors can see at close quarters a great variety of creatures of the Pacific.
All values are in New Zealand Dollars
New Zealand National Aquarium
Box 123
Napier, Hawkes Bay
New Zealand
Box 123
Napier, Hawkes Bay
New Zealand
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Family | $ 44.00 |
| Adult | $ 15.50 |
| Senior | $ 13.50 |
| Child 14 & under | $ 8.00 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Stables Museum and Waxworks
The Stables Museum has films and displays about the 1931 earthquake as well as a popular waxworks show.
Further south are the Mardi Gras Area, used for a variety of events, the Can Am Cars and a small lake (boats for hire).
Further south are the Mardi Gras Area, used for a variety of events, the Can Am Cars and a small lake (boats for hire).
War Memorial Hall
The War Memorial Hall commemorates those who fell in various military conflicts, particularly the first and second world wars. In front of the hall is the photogenic floral clock.
Napier Surroundings
Eskdale Park
20km northwest of Napier, on the road to Taupo, is Eskdale Park, a popular destination for excursions. It lies in a beautiful valley with long-established woodland. There was fighting here in 1866 between settlers and Hauhau rebels.
Tutira
40km north of Napier on Highway 2, situated on a lake (bird sanctuary), is the old sheep station of Tutira that was immortalized by the farmer and writer Herbert Guthrie-Smith (1861-1940) in his books. There is an attractive circuit of the area on the Tutira Walkway (9 km; steep in places).
