Napier

Napier is one of New Zealand's most attractive cities, located at the south of the Hawkes Bay, just 20 minutes out of Hastings. Palm trees line the inner-city streets and the wonderfully sculpted Marine Parade, as the name suggests, runs along the shore of the city. Along Marine Parade various parks, gardens and memorials give the water’s edge its distinct character, and you'll also find the i-SITE Visitor Centre and various local attractions.

Known as the Art Deco City, Napier has the most comprehensive collection of inner-city art deco buildings in the world. Every February, thousands of people flock to Napier to celebrate the Art Deco Weekend Summer Festival, sending the township back to a time of new hope. The Festival celebrates the reconstruction of Napier City after a devastating earthquake in 1931. Music, performers, dancing in the street; trains, planes and automobiles; picnics, galas and frivolity in true vintage style bring the 1930s back to life.

Napier is also the home of New Zealand wine, housing the oldest wineries and wine-making establishments in the country. With some of the best sunshine hours in New Zealand, mountainous shelter from prevailing westerly winds, and refreshing sea breezes, not only is Napier a great climate for visiting, but is ideal for grape growing.