Napier

Napier is a popular tourist destination on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It has a population of about 58,000 and is less than 20km from Hastings, and the two are often called "The Twin Cities". Together, Napier-Hastings is the 5th largest urban area in the country.

Reasons to visit include:

Architecture

When an earthquake devastated Napier in 1931, the central business district was rebuilt in the architectural style of the day - art deco. As a result, Napier attracts art deco fans from around the world and is regarded as one of the two best preserved art deco towns in the world (the other being South Beach, Miami). Napier has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the first place in New Zealand to be nominated.

Sunshine

Napier is second only to Nelson as the area that has the highest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand. This provides a warm, relatively dry climate, that pleases visitors and the winegrowers who are developing a global reputation for the quality of their produce.

Wines

The Hawkes Bay competes with Marlborough for the title of New Zealand's best-known wine-growing region. The region hosts an annual wine and food festival that draws thousands of visitors and the Mission Estate Winery at nearby Taradale hosts an annual concert with top acts. Past headlines include Eric Clapton, Ray Charles and Rod Stewart.

Attractions

Marine Parade enables strollers to enjoy parks, fountains and examples of art deco while breathing in the sea air. Facing the sea is a statue called Pania of the Reef which is regarded in Napier with the safe affection as the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen.

Other tourist attractions include The Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery which provides much information about the 1931 earthquake and Napier's redesign as an art deco city. Napier also hosts the National Aquarium.

A gannet colony at nearby Cape Kidnappers is also a popular destination for visitors.