Napier, New Zealand -December-30-2017 : The classic cars tour parked in front of T&G building an iconic art deco landmark building in Napier town, New Zealand.

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Napier

The Napier of today – a charismatic, sunny, composed city with the air of an affluent English seaside resort – is the silver lining of the dark cloud that was the deadly 1931 earthquake. Rebuilt in the popular architectural styles of the time, the city retains a unique concentration of art-deco buildings. Don’t expect the Chrysler Building – Napier is resolutely low-rise – but you will find amazingly intact 1930s facades and streetscapes, which can provoke a Great Gatsby-esque swagger in the least romantic soul. Linger a while to discover some of regional New Zealand's best restaurants and also a few excellent wineries less visited than the bigger names around nearby Hastings and Havelock North.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The Daily Telegraph building in Napier, New Zealand.

    Daily Telegraph Building

    Napier

    The Daily Telegraph is one of the stars of Napier's art-deco show, with superb zigzags, fountain shapes and a symmetrically patterned facade. If the front…

  • National Tobacco Company Building

    National Tobacco Company Building

    Napier

    Around the shore at Ahuriri, the National Tobacco Company Building (1932) is arguably the region’s deco masterpiece, combining art-deco forms with the…

  • The Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) on Hawke’s Bay in Napier, New Zealand.

    MTG Hawke’s Bay

    Napier

    The beating cultural heart of Napier is the smart-looking MTG – a gleaming-white museum-theatre-gallery space by the water. The MTG showcases live…

  • Sea Walls

    Sea Walls

    Napier

    Painted recently as part of a street-art festival, there are 50 colourful and thought-provoking murals scattered across central Napier and Ahuriri. Pick…

  • National Aquarium of New Zealand

    National Aquarium of New Zealand

    Napier

    Inside this modern complex with its stingray-inspired roof are piranhas, terrapins, eels, kiwi, tuatara and a whole lotta fish. Snorkellers can swim with…

  • Bluff Hill Lookout

    Bluff Hill Lookout

    Napier

    The convoluted route to the top of Bluff Hill (102m) goes up and down like an elevator on speed (best to drive), but rewards intrepid mountaineers with…

  • Crab Farm Winery

    Crab Farm Winery

    Napier

    Respectable, reasonably priced wines, and a rustic cafe with regular live troubadours. A good stop for lunch or a glass of rosé (preferably both), best…

  • Marine Parade

    Marine Parade

    Napier

    Napier's elegant seaside avenue is lined with huge Norfolk Island pines, and dotted with motels and charming timber villas. Along its length are parks,…

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