Napier

Napier is a city in the North Island’s Hawke’s Bay. It’s often twinned with nearby Hastings.Napier was devastated by a catastrophic earthquake in the 1930s, but this has turned out to be its greatest strength as a tourist attraction. Much of the central city was rebuilt at the same time, in the Art Deco style. The beautiful and distinctive architecture rings thousands of people to the city every February for Art Deco Weekend.

Napier is a port city, and its seafront is also famous, lined with Norfolk pines. Marine Parade will take you down to the 1935 Soundshell Stage, reminiscent of old beach-side concerts.

Napier is home to the National Aquarium, where you can see not only sharks and piranhas, but also kiwi and tuatara. There are cameras in their burrows, so you can still watch them even if they’re hiding.

The Hawke’s Bay is wine country, which can be enjoyed at the annual Wine and Food Festival, the Mission Estate Winery’s concert, or by flying over the vines at dawn in a hot air balloon.