Hawke's Bay

Napier is the main city of New Zealand's Hawke's Bay region, set on the east coast of the North Island. It is best known as the Art Deco capital of New Zealand, with one of the world's most complete collections of 1930s architecture, rebuilt after the devastating 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. The city's history stretches back to Ngāti Kahungunu settlement, with Captain James Cook first sighting the area in 1769. European settlers later named Napier after Sir Charles Napier, and the 1931 earthquake reshaped both the land and the city centre, leaving behind the distinctive Art Deco streetscape that defines it today. Napier's waterfront along Marine Parade features the National Aquarium of New Zealand, gardens and the Pania of the Reef statue. The lively Ahuriri precinct offers waterfront dining and historic warehouses, while nearby Hastings, Te Mata Peak and the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony add to the region's appeal. Hawke's Bay is one of New Zealand's leading wine regions, with cellar doors across Gimblett Gravels and around Te Mata producing acclaimed Chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux-style reds. Annual events such as the Art Deco Weekend and F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic draw visitors from across the country and beyond. As the region's commercial gateway, Napier combines a working port with tourism, food, wine and events. Its compact centre, coastal setting and strong business base make it a practical and distinctive destination for both leisure and business travellers.