Hawke's Bay · New Zealand

Napier and Hawke's Bay

Napier, rebuilt in Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake, and the Hawke's Bay wine region, with Te Mata Peak and the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony.

Central North Island

In the photo: Te Mata Peak

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Send your photos

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Hawke's Bay lies on the east coast of the North Island, in a wide bay facing the Pacific. It is a region of fertile plains, orchards and vineyards, with a dry, sunny climate by national standards, between inland ranges and the sea.

On February 3, 1931, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake destroyed much of Napier and Hastings and killed more than 250 people. The quake lifted the bed of a lagoon near Napier, which became dry land. The two towns were rebuilt in the following years in the period styles: Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical. Napier retains one of the most complete Art Deco ensembles in the world, which is on New Zealand’s tentative list for World Heritage.

Napier is the region’s main center and the most popular base, offering the Art Deco downtown, the Marine Parade promenade, the MTG Hawke's Bay museum and the Bluff Hill lookout over the port. About 20 km away, Hastings is the orchard town and the starting point for Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers, home to one of the largest mainland gannet colonies.

Hawke's Bay is one of the country’s principal wine regions, known for reds from grapes such as merlot and syrah. Many wineries welcome visitors, and a network of flat cycleways links towns, the coast and estates.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Napier (Ahuriri), Hastings (Heretaunga).

Share: WhatsApp

Traveler, share your experiences through photos Up to 5 photos of each place you visited.

One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Napier and Hawke's Bay is

Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Napier and Hawke's Bay

✈ Aeroporto de Hawke's Bay (NPE) · 8 km to Napier (Ahuriri)

Hawke's Bay Airport, in Napier, has flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. By car Napier is about 140 km from Taupō (around 2 hours) and about 320 km from Wellington (around 4 hours). Intercity buses link Napier and Hastings with the main North Island cities.

Suggested arrival point: Napier (Ahuriri)

Hawke's Bay · Napier and Hawke's Bay Capital Suggested arrival point

Napier (Ahuriri)

Napier, the capital of the Hawke's Bay region, was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and its Art Deco Centre contains one of the most complete ensembles of that style in the world. Along the seafront runs the Marine Parade, with gardens and the national aquarium, and facing it the MTG Hawke's Bay tells the story of the earthquake. To the north, Bluff Hill has a lookout over the port and the bay.

Hawke's Bay · Napier and Hawke's Bay

Hastings (Heretaunga)

Hastings sits in the centre of the Heretaunga plain, about 20 km from Napier, surrounded by orchards and vineyards. It was also rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake, with Spanish Mission and Art Deco buildings. The town is the base for the Te Mata Peak lookout to the south and for Cape Kidnappers, with its gannet colony. Havelock North, adjacent, hosts wineries and accommodation.

The local experience

Things to do in Napier and Hawke's Bay

Napier (Ahuriri) · Hawke's Bay · Historic center

Napier Art Deco Centre

Napier's centre, rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake with dozens of Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical buildings, is explored on foot with a map or on guided tours.

Hastings (Heretaunga) · Hawke's Bay · Viewpoint

Te Mata Peak

A 399-meter peak south of Hastings, with a road to the summit and a lookout over the plains, vineyards and Hawke Bay; on clear days you can see Mount Ruapehu.

Hastings (Heretaunga) · Hawke's Bay · Nature reserve

Cape Kidnappers

A cape of striped cliffs at the southern end of Hawke Bay, home to one of the largest mainland colonies of gannet (takapu), visited from the beach at low tide or on guided farm tours.

Napier (Ahuriri) · Hawke's Bay · Waterfront

Marine Parade

Seafront promenade in Napier, with Norfolk pines, gardens, the statue of Pania of the Reef, the sound shell, the national aquarium and a shingle beach facing the bay.

See 2 more places in Napier and Hawke's Bay

Napier (Ahuriri) · Hawke's Bay · Museum

MTG Hawke's Bay

Napier's museum, theatre and gallery facing the Marine Parade, with exhibitions on the 1931 earthquake, regional Maori collections and New Zealand art.

Napier (Ahuriri) · Hawke's Bay · Viewpoint

Bluff Hill Lookout (Mataruahou)

Hill in the northern part of Napier with a lookout over the port, Hawke Bay and, on clear days, Cape Kidnappers in the distance, in a neighbourhood of 19th-century wooden houses.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From November to April the days are dry and warm, good for cycling and for Cape Kidnappers. In February the Art Deco festival fills Napier with vintage cars and period dress. Winter is mild and quieter, but the gannet colony is closed to visitors from July until mid-October.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days: one for the Art Deco center, Marine Parade, the MTG and Bluff Hill; another for Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers or the wineries. With three days you’ll have time to cycle the region’s pathways.

Which city to stay in

Napier, either in the Art Deco center or along Marine Parade, is the most convenient base, with restaurants and a seaside promenade. Ahuriri, the port neighborhood, has waterside bars and restaurants. Havelock North, near Hastings and Te Mata Peak, has guesthouses and sits among the vineyards.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Napier and Hawke's Bay

Why is Napier Art Deco?

Because the city was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake, when Art Deco was the fashion. The buildings from that era still make up the town center.

How many days to stay in Napier and Hawke's Bay?

Two days cover Napier, Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers or the wineries. With three days you’ll have time to cycle around the region.

Do you need a car in Hawke's Bay?

For Napier’s center, no. For Te Mata Peak, Cape Kidnappers and the wineries, a car or bicycle is useful; organized tours are available.

When is Napier's Art Deco festival?

In February, with vintage car parades, dances and period dress. Dates vary each year; check before you go.

What is the distance between Napier and Hastings?

About 20 km, around 20 minutes by car, with a cycleway linking the two towns.

Explore other destinations Search by state and city

Napier and Hawke's Bay

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.