Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
FijiRegion · Central North Island
Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay has the Art Deco centre of Napier, rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake, wineries producing red wines and chardonnay, Te Mata Peak, and the colony of gannets at Cape Kidnappers.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The region
Get to know Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay (Te Matau-a-Māui) occupies the east coast of the North Island, around the bay of the same name. The region has plains of orchards and vineyards between the hills and the sea, with a dry, sunny climate. Napier is the seat of the regional council, and Hastings, about 20 km away, is the other main town.
On February 3, 1931, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 destroyed much of Napier and Hastings. The two towns were rebuilt in the style of the era, and Napier gained a concentrated ensemble of Art Deco buildings, with geometric façades and Māori motifs, which can be explored on foot or in vintage cars. In February, the Art Deco Festival fills the streets with 1930s costumes and cars.
Hawke's Bay is the country's oldest wine region and the second largest: the first vineyards were planted by missionaries in the 19th century, and Mission Estate, in Napier, still produces. The region is known for red wines, such as those from Gimblett Gravels, and for chardonnay; many wineries welcome visitors, and flat cycleways link vineyards, beaches and towns.
Te Mata Peak, near Havelock North, has a lookout over the plains and the sea, with walking tracks and car access. At Cape Kidnappers (Te Kauwae-a-Māui) is the largest mainland colony of Australian gannets (tākapu); visits are made on land tours across a farm, which usually operate from September to April.
When to go
Summer, from December to March, is dry and warm—good for cycleways, beaches and wineries—and February hosts the Art Deco Festival. The gannet colony usually has more birds from November to February. Grape harvest generally takes place in March and April. Winter, from June to August, is cool and still has many sunny days.
Getting there
Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE), in Napier, has flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. By road, Napier is about 145 km from Taupō via SH5, and about 320 km from Wellington via SH2. There are urban buses and cycleways between Napier and Hastings.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Hawke's Bay
How can you experience Napier's Art Deco?
The centre is compact and can be seen on foot in a few hours. There are guided tours, self-guided walking maps, and vintage car tours.
How do you visit the Cape Kidnappers colony?
The simplest way is the land tour by vehicle, which crosses the farm to the colony. The beach walk from Clifton depends on the tide and on which sections are open; check conditions with the DOC before you go.
Can you visit the wineries without driving?
Yes. There are winery tours with transport, and Hawke's Bay's flat cycleways link several wineries; you can rent bicycles in Napier and in Hastings.
How many days should you stay in Hawke's Bay?
Two days allow for Napier's centre, Te Mata Peak and some wineries. With three days you can add Cape Kidnappers or a day of cycling on the cycleways.