Napier is located on the East Coast of the North Island in New Zealand in a region called Hawke's Bay. The landscapes of Hawke's Bay begin with the high, forested Ruahine and Kawkeka Ranges. From the mountains the land sweeps down towards the coast, flattening out to become the Heretaunga Plains. A number of wide rivers, excellent for fishing, run swiftly to meet the blue Pacific Ocean and glorious beaches which stretch from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south.
Napier is known as the Art Deco Capital of the world.
Following a massive earthquake (7.9 on the Richter scale) on the morning of Tuesday 3 February 1931, fires destroyed most of the commercial heart of Napier. The city was rebuilt in the style of that era and by the end of the decade Napier was the newest city on the globe. Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco, the style of the 20th Century. Napier's Art Deco is unique, with Maori motifs and the buildings of Louis Hay, admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright.
Napier is enhanced by palms and the angular Norfolk Island pines and bounded by fertile fruit and grape growing plains, dramatic hills and the shores of the South Pacific. In Napier, you can enjoy the legacy of its brave rebuilding and savour the spirit of the optimistic Art Deco era.
The city is sited in the midst of New Zealand's oldest wine growing region and only a stone's throw from the city, visitors can savour the experience of an extensive array of award winning wines.
Napier has a Mediterranean-style climate with long, fine summers with temperatures in the mid 20s (oC) and short, mild winters. Its high sunshine hours and favourable winter and summer temperatures help make it the largest producer of pip and stone fruit and the second largest producer of wine grapes in New Zealand.
Napier inner city is one of the country's most exciting city centres to explore. The layout is compact and in very close proximity to the sea and the picturesque seafront walkway. The palm tree lined boulevards and strip malls are home to an inviting mix of stylish and artistic specialty boutiques sprinkled amongst national chain stores. Many of the shops are locally owned and operated and the products on offer are often not found in other centres.
The city is also recognised for its appealing, vibrant alfresco café scene. Savour the aroma and taste of freshly ground coffee beans while admiring the internationally renowned and impressive Art Deco architecture on surrounding buildings.
Napier is located on the East Coast of the North Island in New Zealand in a region called Hawke's Bay. The landscapes of Hawke's Bay begin with the high, forested Ruahine and Kawkeka Ranges. From the mountains the land sweeps down towards the coast, flattening out to become the Heretaunga Plains. A number of wide rivers, excellent for fishing, run swiftly to meet the blue Pacific Ocean and glorious beaches which stretch from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south. 
The city is sited in the midst of New Zealand's oldest wine growing region and only a stone's throw from the city, visitors can savour the experience of an extensive array of award winning wines.
