Napier & Hawke's Bay Holidays

Where are Napier & Hawke’s Bay?
The region of Hawke’s Bay is on the North Island’s eastern coast and takes its name from the large curving bay that makes up most of the northern half of its coastline. Its main city, Napier, lies towards the south of the bay; it was originally established on an island in a natural harbour, but this lagoon was wiped off the map when the land was pushed up during the 1931 earthquake. The small local airport, which has regular services to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, occupies some of that previously underwater territory.

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Art Deco city
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck just to the north of Napier on the morning of 3 February 1931 didn’t just change the landscape; with the ensuing fires, it flattened almost the entire city – along with nearby Hastings, its sister settlement 10 miles inland to the south-east. Over the next few years, though, the indomitable inhabitants completely rebuilt it, favouring the architectural fashions of the time. The result is a treasure trove of Art Deco architecture, the highest concentration in the world. You can explore it on a guided walk led by an expert or enjoy it from the comfort of a vintage car. For a more immersive experience, the city hosts an Art Deco Festival every February.

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Sun-kissed bay
Hawke’s Bay is one of the warmest and sunniest parts of New Zealand with a Mediterranean-style climate and the oldest and second-largest wine region in the country. Lovers of the Great Outdoors will be in their element; there are stunning mountain-biking trails and walking routes, wild rivers for rafting and fishing, and natural hot springs where you can soothe any aching muscles. As for more indulgent pleasures, the region is known as the home of some of the country’s finest places to eat, from fine-dining superstars to humble bistros. Head out to the region’s wine districts to stroll through lush vineyards, meet the local winemakers and enjoy memorable meals paired with superb local vintages in award-winning winery restaurants.

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Beaches
The region’s long coastline is blessed with stretches of golden sand that are rarely busy, where you can swim, surf or just enjoy a cobweb-clearing walk. The off-the-beaten-track Mahia Peninsula in the north is particularly appealing for surfers, but its tiny beaches also provide safe spots for a dip. Between here and Napier, Waipatiki and Tangoio are popular in the summer while still being fairly secluded. South of the city, beyond the famous gannet cliffs at Cape Kidnappers, there are more sandy strips to discover: the sleepy surfing paradise of Ocean Beach, tranquil Waimarama with its ancient Maori fortress and Blackhead Beach, part of a marine reserve, where the rock pooling and snorkelling are excellent.

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Taumata
The Hawke’s Bay region is also home to the second longest place name in the world, a hill south of Waipukurau in the Central Hawke’s Bay District. It’s called Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuaakitanarahu, which roughly translates as ‘place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as land-eater, played his flute to his loved one’… You won’t be surprised to hear that it’s usually shortened to Taumata.

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