Napier is the main city of the Hawke's Bay region known for its sunny climate, sheltered coastal plains and long-established vineyards. Napier is a neat city, popular with vacationing New Zealanders because of the pleasant climate and the wonderful beaches. Other tourist attractions include Marineland, the Hawke's Bay Aquarium and a Kiwi House.

Capital of What?
Napier is the "Art Deco Capital of the World". The 1931 Napier earthquake and a subsequent fire destroyed much of the downtown business area. When this area was rebuilt, it was reconstructed in the prevailing Art Deco style.

The earthquake also raised the land by several metres. Some of the streets in the area have retained their original street type names that they had when they were on the coastline. Although the street may be called a quay or a bay it may be inland now. The airport was previously an estuary. The demolition rubble was dumped along the eastern foreshore and turned into gardens and a recreational reserve.

Record Breaking in the Napier/Hawke's Bay Region

• Napier has the oldest vineyard in New Zealand, The Mission, founded by French Monks.
• Napier has a Kiwi House where you can actually touch a kiwi!
• The region is the country's largest pip fruit growing areas.
• Another unique attraction is the gannet colony on the very tip of Cape Kidnappers, believed to be one of only two mainland gannet colonies in the world.
• Gisborne is NZ’s most eastern point and, therefore, the first city in the world to see the sun each day. It was also the first part of the country to have European feet stand on it.
• The region has a hill with the longest place name in New Zealand, and the second longest in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. It is an unremarkable hill in southern Hawke's Bay, not far from Waipukurau.

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Local Knowledge

For a comprehensive guide on what activities are available visit the local information centre on the Marine Parade. There you will find maps, travel guides and directions as well as be able to book tours and transport.

Getting Around

Taxis are inexpensive and can take you anywhere, anytime. The public transport system however can be a little confusing and unreliable. A new company recently took over the bus service and routes will likely be subject to change.

Regional Attractions Accessible From Napier

• Cape Kidnappers gannet colony
• The most easterly point in New Zealand, Gisborne
• Hawke's Bay wineries

Best Views

Best Months

Napier enjoys around 2200 hours of sunshine every year, so it is usually sunny. The annual rainfall is average 803mm. The average annual temperature is 14.5C with the highest at 35.8C and lowest at -3.9C.

Clothing

If you dare, go "Gatsby", "1920s", "Art Deco". Otherwise, if you are doing the Napier Walking Tour, or going to see the gannets, dress for comfort.

Shopping

Food glorious food, and of course wine, wine and more wine. Meet the growers, taste their produce and ask them all about it at the Hawke's Bay Farmers Market (Saturday in Napier and Sunday in Hastings).

Other Facts

Telephone Area Code: 06
Population: 13,150 (2005)
Summer Average Maximum Temperature: 26°
Winter Average Maximum Temperature: 13°
Local emergency contact number for all Police, Fire and St John Ambulances: 111

Activities

Day Tours in Napier

Napier can offer the visitor some great holiday experiences as outlined below:

	Guided Art Deco Walk The Art Deco Centre on Tennyson Street runs daily guided walks, taking in the city's architectural heritage. Walks are 1 or 2 hours in length.
	The National Aquarium of New Zealand This new stingray-shaped building on the waterfront in Napier has a self-guided tour that starts in a dinosaur discovery area, showing the history of these creatures in New Zealand. It was only in 1979 that the first dinosaur bones were discovered in the country.

Things to do in Napier

This list will assist you in accessing all the natural and man-made visitor attractions and activities that Napier has to offer.

	Waimarama and Ocean Beach Located approximately 30min south of Napier by car these are local retreats in the summer months. These long sandy beaches cater for surfing, fishing, and long walks to check out the native habitat.
	Botanical Gardens & Sunrise Monument The pretty Botanical Gardens are a short walk from the city centre. Also see Sunrise Monument, marking where the sun rose on the first day of the Millennium.
	The Sunbay The structure was built in 1934 and in 1937 was named the "Veronica Sunbay" when the bell from HMS Veronica was presented to the city as a memento of the assistance rendered by the crew of HMS Veronica in rescue work in the aftermath of the 1931 earthquake.
	Coast Defence Boxes After the entry of Japan into the Second World War the New Zealand government considered it likely that New Zealand might be invaded.In 1942, Hawke's Bay coastal defences were strengthened with a 6 inch gun battery placed atop Bluff Hill and concrete strong points (commonly known as Pill Boxes) were built along beaches north and south of Napier.
	Ahuriri Napier's inner harbour, Ahuriri, has historical significance for the city of Napier. Maori settled Ahuriri before the arrival of Captain Cook. Sailing ships and whalers used to tie up here until the Port of Napier became established around Breakwater Road. The 1931 earthquake lifted parts of the inner harbour some 1.5 metres higher than previous. For example, West Quay and Nelson Quay were able to accommodate some large fishing vessels at the turn of the century, but are now too shallow.
	Wine Tasting's With around 71 cellar doors in the Hawke's Bay area and 4,700 hectares of grape vines, there are plenty of complimentary tasting's. Take a guided tour from Napier. Alternatively in Napier there is a special venue setup for wine tastings called "Big Picture Wines".

Activities Outside Napier

Napier can be used as a base to explore the south of the south island.

	Hastings The city of Hastings is close by. It is the food-producing capital of New Zealand and has many different types of food. Its cuisine is unrivalled anywhere else. It also receives 2200 hours of sunshine a year, making it one of the sunniest places in New Zealand.
	Taupo Taupo is a two hour drive away and is the home of the Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction. New Zealand’s largest river is forced between a narrow split in the bedrock. Quite impressive with flows often exceeding 220,000 litres per second.
	Wine Tours There are many wineries in the area and several companies offering tours which typically last for a few hours and take in several different wineries.
	Cape Kidnappers At the southern tip of Hawke Bay you will find a colony of Gannets. These Gannets migrate seasonally and are popular with tourists during the season. You can jump on a trailer towed by tractors to reach the Cape, run by a local business out of the small community called Te Awanga.
	Gisborne This cute coastal town is NZ’s most eastern point and, therefore, claims to be the first city in the world to see the sun each day. It was also the first part of the country to have European feet stand on it, when Captain Cook arrived on the Endeavour in 1769 and his crew promptly killed six Maoris who greeted them with the traditional welcome (admittedly they looked aggressive, but Cook’s crew had a ‘shoot first ask questions later’ directive). Throughout the town, you can see monuments to this moment, and the Tairawhiti Museum covers both colonial history as well as that of the local Maori groups.
	Cape Kidnappers Golf Course The amazing views from the greens at the Tom Doak designed golf course at Cape Kidnappers (www.capekidnappers.com) are enough to convert even the most uncertain swinger.
	White Island Launch or Helicopter Tours White Island (or Whakaari as it was named by the Maori before Europeans arrived) lies 48 kilometres off New Zealand's Bay of Plenty coastline. This active volcano and private scenic reserve is accessible by boat and helicopter. It is unique in that visitors to the island can walk right inside its main crater just above sea level with a minimum of physical effort and without undue risk. This allows you to experience at first hand nature's immense power as gas and steam burst up from far below the Earth's crust.

Diary of Events

Coach Tours Which Include Napier

The following fully escorted coach tours are our top 3 which include Napier.

Grand New Zealand Tour Encounter the North's warm landscape & hospitality, then contrast it with the South's alpine ruggedness. Embrace 19 days of fully guided coach touring with 4 cruises on the Bay of Islands, Interislander, Queenstown Paddle steamer and Milford Sound's fantastic Fiordland cruise. Contrast it with the hot, steaming landscape of geysers & mud pools, complimented with Maori native culture. Visit a Dairy Farm, see NZ Theatre and taste our wine & cheese. Feast your senses at ski resort Queenstown, then take an optional flight over the world's most accessible glaciers as they advance towards the sea. Finally take the world famous TranzAlpine Train across mountainous terrain to finish in the garden city of Christchurch.

Garden Tour Guided by a world renowned Garden Expert, this Auckland to Christchurch 12 day tour graces the 11 gorgeous gardens of New Zealand as well as the famous Ellerslie International Flower Show. To spice up the garden itinerary, there is the Rotorua thermal mud pools & geysers, majestic Huka Falls, the National Museum in Wellington, an Auckland Harbour Cruise and Skytower and Paradise Valley Springs. To tempt the taste buds is a Maori Hangi (& concert), a Wine & Cheese 'Experience' and a dairy farm visit. Travel is by coach, by tram in Christchurch, by cruise boat between the Islands, by cable car, by gondola and if you're game, a Luge Ride. City tours of Auckland, Napier, Wellington & Christchurch will also add variety.

Northern Highlights Tour North New Zealand by starting in Auckland & finishing in Wellington with historic Art Deco Napier in between. The cruise around the dramatic rocky coastline to see wild dolphin pods, a drive on the sand at Bay of Islands beaches or the native Maori Hangi & Culture show at the Rotorua Thermal Reserve are contenders for the best attractions. Top it with the sky high geysers at Rotorua, heavenly Huka Falls and the Skyline Gondola & Luge ride & you have an action packed 8 days fully escorted coach tour.

Films Made in this Region

The following films were made in the Napier area: Luella Miller 2005, Gupta Vs Gordon 2003, Te Rua 1991, White Water Summer 1987, and Solo 1978.

The Maori village of Whangara, just north of the Hawke's Bay region, was so overwhelmed by the influx of tourists when the film Whale Rider was released that there are now signs outside the town asking visitors to stay away. The only way you can see the town, marae (Maori meeting house) and beach, and hear about the legends that inspired the book and film, are to join Hone Taumaunu, an elder and consultant on the film, on one of his two-hour Whale Rider Tours.

Eating & Sleeping

Cuisine

Just about everything is grown or gathered in this fertile land with the perfect climate: meat, seafood, cheese, honey, olive oil, a whole array of fruit and vegetables and even coffee. All utilised by top-class chefs to create menus that blend Asian with European traditions. Whatever you eat will be the freshest it can be.

Around 30 cafes are within walking distance of the central city area, while Ahuriri, just over Bluff Hill, is home to a further cluster of upmarket establishments.

Regional Specialties

Napier and Hawke's Bay is home to wine, wine and more wine. There are about 40 wineries in the region, producing a wide range of grapes, from the red cabernet, merlot and pinot noir, to the white chardonnay and sauvignon blanc and many with free wine tasting open to the public.

Accommodation

The following is a selection of the hotels Relaxing Journeys use in our escorted coach tours.

Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier Te Pania Hotel enjoys a very desirable central waterfront location on Marine Parade directly across the road from the Napier War Memorial Convention Centre. Napier is one of the first places in the world to witness the dawn of a new day, and guests are inspired by the extensive sea views the hotel offers.

Angus Hotel Hastings Angus Hotel is one of Hawke's Bays largest conference and accommodation venues. 20 minutes from Napier Airport, 2-minute walk from Hastings city centre yet only 8 minutes drive from the western wine trail and golf course. Handy to Splash Planet water theme park and adjacent to Hastings sports stadium and HB racing centre.