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Welcome
to the City of Napier
Hugging the coastline of the sparkling Pacific Ocean on
the North Island's East Coast, Hawke's Bay is arguably
one of New Zealand's warmest regions with summer temperatures
(November-April) ranging from 20 degrees C to 35 degrees
C and mild winters (June-September) averaging 15 degrees
C.
Hawke�s Bay enjoys perhaps the best climate in New Zealand
with plentiful sunshine, blue skies and token winters.
Internationally renowned vineyards produce award-winning
wines and the many orchards that stud the region have
earned Hawke�s Bay the title "Fruitbowl" of
New Zealand. Spring is the best time to visit when the
orchards burst into blossom, private gardens open to the
public, roses are in full bloom and wineries offer alfresco
dining in the warm sun.
Napier,
largely a retail centre, is situated right beside the
ocean and utilises both its shipping port and airport
as vital transport links with other New Zealand centres.
Napier is world famous for its Art Deco architecture,
which is a major avenue for the city's tourist industry.
Napier's Marine Parade is also a popular spot for the
family with such aquatic attractions as Marineland and
the Aquarium.
In
Napier the Paficic Ocean forms a stunning backdrop for
The Sunken Gardens on Marine Parade. This pretty garden
is maintained all year round and has stone pathways, paraplegic
access, sheltered seating, and a water-lily sculpture
feature. The Marine Parade Gardens extend from the War
Memorial Centre to the Soundshell on the Marine Parade
and overlooks the Pacific Ocean with the rugged and dramatic
cliffs of Cape Kidnappers in the distance.
Napier�s Art Deco front garden was built on the rubble
of the great 1931 Earthquake and is probably New Zealand�s
first urban sea-front. It includes the Veronica Sunbay,
the Soundshell, the New Napier Arch and Colonnade, and
the Tom Parker Fountain, all built in the 1930s, as well
as the floral clock and the famous statue of Pania of
the Reef. Spectacular at night, the gardens are a favourite
promenade for locals and tourists. Clive Square Memorial
Gardens offers a delightful oasis in the centre of Napier.
Take
a sunny seat in a sidewalk cafe and order a delicious
frothy cappuccino, a smooth latte or espresso. Perhaps
accompanied by an innovative meal that takes the best
of fresh Hawke�s Bay produce and combines it with the
flair of Napier�s gourmet chefs. Breathe in the fresh
ocean air. And look up.
In
February during the Brebner Print Art Deco Weekend the
whole town dresses up, vintage cars cruise the streets,
jazz bands play and bi-planes swoop. Other times of the
year you can enjoy the atmosphere in restaurants redolent
of the era, browse through antique shops selling a plethora
of Deco treasures or even experience a simulated earthquake.
Snuggle
down for the night in the charm of a boutique hotel, a
wonderful lodge or at one of the many backpacker lodges,
hotels, motels, holiday parks or homestays.
Pania of the Reef
There is no story more romantic than that of Pania, the
beautiful maiden of the sea people and Karitoki, her handsome
Maori lover. It is said that Pania lived with her lover-husband
in a whare (house) at a spot now known as Sturm's Gully,
near the foot of the Napier breakwater. But the sea people
were forever calling her. She resisted their call for
a long time, but the lure of the sea people became irresistible
and she swam out to meet them, just once. The sea people
came from the depths and surrounded her, they drew her
down into the caverns of the sea, never to return to the
land of mortals. And now, if you pass over the reef where
the kingfish shoal and gaze in to the depths, you will
see Pania with arms outstretched, ever striving to return
to the lover she left on that fateful day.
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