The great Hawke's Bay earthquake in February 1931 levelled most of Napier, but the rebuilding of the city featured many buildings in the Art Deco style. Today it boasts one of the world's finest collections of lovingly preserved art deco buildings and the guided walks are highly recommended.
A great climate with day upon day of sunshine makes a year-round tourist destination and you will quickly feel relaxed as you wander through the streets amongst the splendour of the Art Deco buildings.
Marine Parade overlooks the Pacific Ocean and out towards Cape Kidnappers, home to the world's largest mainland gannet colony. A full day can be taken visiting Ocean Spa hot pools and swimming complex, the Hawke's Bay Museum, the National Aquarium of New Zealand, or get splashed by the dolphins and seals at Marineland of New Zealand.
A landmark of the town is Bluff Hill, overlooking one of New Zealand's busiest ports, transporting timber, local fruit and meat products to worldwide destinations, whilst over the summer, luxury cruise liners berth.
After a long day taking in the sights, revitalize yourself by sampling some of Hawke's Bay's award winning wines and fresh Bay produce from one of the many restaurant, café and winery menus.
For the shopper there are antique shops, art galleries, and studios of potters, wood turners and craftsman.
Incidentally, the place with the longest name in the world comes from central Hawkes Bay: Taumata whakatangi hangakoauau o tamatea turi pukakapiki maunga horo nuku pokai whenua kitanatahu, which means "The hilltop ,where Tamatea with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his koauau to his beloved". The name was given by the local Maori people, Ngati Kere, to a hill to celebrate the eponymous ancestor Tamatea Pokai Whenua.
