Napier New Zealand Offers Unique Seaside Charm

North Island port Napier New Zealand, known for its apple, pear, stone fruit, and wool production, is a popular tourist and retirement resort and the second largest city located in the central east Hawke’s Bay region.

In 1769, legendary Captain James Cook was the first European sailor to identify the beach harbor entrance to this area, where Maori Chief Te Ahuriri carved a channel into the lagoon to preserve the bay of island fishing villages. Cook reported his findings back home, and subsequently Europeans settled there as traders, whalers, and missionaries.

By mid 19th century, farmers and hotel keepers arrived and development began, concentrated in the hill and port area of Ahuriri. An earthquake leveled the town 1931. The town center was rebuilt in Art Deco style popular at that time, and today Napier New Zealand is considered by enthusiasts to be one of the best preserved Art Deco architectural towns, drawing tourists worldwide.

Unique to Napier are the Maori motifs and buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architect Louis Hay. The Art Deco Trust is an organization dedicated to retention, preservation, appreciation, and tourist promotion of period buildings. Many interpretive walks and tours enhance these efforts.

Tourists favor this city for its Art Deco weekend held in February, as well as its Mission Concert Weekend and Annual Harvest Hawkes Bay Weekend, the latter of which lives up to the “bay of plenty” association, hosted by the country’s popular wine industry.

Two other attractions are the National Aquarium’s underwater adventure exhibit and working aquaculture Seahorse Farm, and Marineland, New Zealand’s only marine zoo housing seals, dolphins, sea lions, and penguins. The waterfront is a popular place to take a day charter boat or evening cruise, dive at Pania Reef, or fish.

Another outdoor highlight for bird enthusiasts is the world’s largest gannet colonies found at Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve.

Napier New Zealand is best known as Art Deco City and Hawke’s Bay Wine Country. You’re at leisure here to explore these New Zealand vacation attractions, or enjoy shopping, golf, fly fishing, or other outdoor activities. Art galleries tempt visitors with Hawke’s Bay landscape pieces. All roads lead to area wineries in this city which is one three of New Zealand’s oldest and major wine growing regions.

The area boasts every conceivable accommodation style from hotels, motels, and luxury lodges to B & Bs, homestays, and campgrounds. Stables Lodge Backpackers Napier New Zealand is an excellent choice for backpackers visiting the city and taking in its unique seaside charm.