The Napier-Hastings area is located in Hawke’s Bay on the east coast of the North Island. The area consists of two cities Napier and Hastings, also called the ‘Twin cities’ or ‘Bay Cities’ of New Zealand. It is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the country with a population of over 131,000. The towns are less than 20 kilometers apart through rural areas, but there is enough economic and social integration to merge them into one urban area for statistics. Hastings is the largest city in Hawke’s Bay, but Napier is considered the main centre, as it is home to both the seaport and airport. Although Hastings also has a small airport. The Napier-Hastings area is a popular tourist destination with unique Art Deco architecture and a pleasant climate.
climate
Napier-Hastings has a Mediterranean climate with long warm summers and mild winters. This pleasant and stable weather is one of the main reasons to visit this area. Typical summer maximum temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, maximum temperatures fluctuate between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. The average number of hours of sunshine per year is 2200 and the warmest months are December, January and February.
Wine
Hawkes Bay has been a wine producing area for more than 100 years, making it New Zealand’s oldest wine region. More than 80 percent of the country’s cultivated Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes grow here. The area has established a reputation for producing the highest quality red wines. Today Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s second largest wine producing area with more than 150 vineyards and more than 90 wineries, often family owned. Many wine cellars open their doors for tastings and tours. A popular option is to experience the wine trail and enjoy the best wines in Hawke’s Bay. There are many concerts throughout the summer months and a series of events throughout the year such as Hawkes Bay Wine Awards and Chaurity Action.
Food
Hawkes Bay is known for its fresh local produce, farmers markets and artisan products. New Zealand’s oldest farmers’ market takes place every Sunday morning at the Showgrounds in Hastings. Napier is the largest producer of apples, pears and stone fruits in the country and the area is often referred to as the Fruit Bowl of New Zealand. Asparagus, strawberries and olives are other fresh produce harvested all year round. Visitors can follow the food trial to meet the growers or buy fresh products. Food festivals play a big role in this area and you have the opportunity to dine in award-winning restaurants and cafes.
Art Deco
Art Deco is a popular style movement that reached its heyday between 1920 and 1940. An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale and resulting fires destroyed most of Napier’s center in 1931. Within two years the city had been rebuilt, mainly in Art Deco style with Maori motifs and design elements incorporated. Napier has approximately 140 original Art Deco buildings and the maintenance and care of these buildings is done by the Art Deco Trust. The Louis Hay-designed National Tobacco Company on Bridge Street in Ahurir is one of New Zealand’s most photographed buildings. Thousands of people travel to Napier in February for the Art Deco Festival, a celebration of Art Deco history and heritage. You can also take guided tours of these unique streets in Napier all year round.
Gannet colony
Cape Kidnappers is a half-hour drive from Napier-Hastings and is a steep peninsula named after an incident during Captain Cook’s voyage in 1769. Maori traders seized Cook’s Tahitian cabin boy, believing he was being held against his will. When Cook’s men began firing at the Maori canoe, the cabin boy escaped and returned to the ship. A visit to Cape Kidnappers gives you the opportunity to experience the world’s largest mainland gannet colony. It’s a unique, entertaining eco-experience suitable for all ages and fitness levels. You can take a tour along the rugged, impressive coastline from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers by four-wheel drive, by tractor via the beach, or by helicopter or by foot across the beach. The best time to see the gannet colony is between the months of November and February before they migrate to warmer areas.
Cape Kidnappers & Ocean Beach Wildlife Reserve Partnership
In addition, Cape Kidnappers and Ocean Beach Wildlife Reserve are the largest wildlife restoration project in New Zealand, largely sponsored by landowners in Hawkes Bay. The aim is to increase the diversity and abundance of native species native to these coastal ecosystems, including terrestrial and seabirds and the brown kiwi. What is significant about this restoration project is the integration of both conservation and economic goals. In 2007, landowners erected a 6-mile fence on the peninsula from coast to coast. In this way, pests and predators are reduced to lower levels and a protected area is created within the fencing. Five North Island brown kiwis were released in August 2008 and are being monitored with more releases of captive-bred and raised kiwis possible in the future. Besides the kiwi, other land birds are released in this reserve, such as the robin or Toutouwai, the small songbird or Miromiro and the archer or Tititipunamu. The following birds may be released in the future; the red-crowned parakeet or Kakariki, fluttering shearwater, saddlebill or Tieke and Takahē.
National Aquarium of New Zealand
The National Aquarium of New Zealand is located on Marine Parade in Napier and is one of Hawkes Bay’s biggest tourist attractions. Nowhere else in New Zealand will you find such a wide variety of marine life and native species in one place, including sharks, stingrays, living coral, kiwis and bridge lizards. It is a fun and educational place to visit with the whole family. Due to the proximity to the ocean, fresh seawater can be pumped directly into the tanks and aquariums. You have the opportunity to swim with sharks or step into the underwater elevator that takes you into the enormous aquarium where you can admire hundreds of fish above and around you. In addition, spiritual Maori concepts and tribal history are also present in the National Aquarium. The name in Maori is; At Whare Tangarora o Aotearoa the home of the keeper of the New Zealand sea. A unique story is told about the powerful connection between Napier and its people and a mythological deity.
Hawke’s Bay Trials
Hawkes Bay is home to three of New Zealand’s official cycle rides: Landscape Ride, Water Ride and Wineries Ride. Beginners, passionate cyclists, walkers and runners can all have a great time with the wide range of shorter tours of 1-2 hours to a complete tour of 187 km. The routes include both paved and unpaved roads. During the ride you can enjoy beautiful views of mountains, rivers, protected wetlands and coastlines. Hawkes Bay Trials were born from the vision to develop a route along the coastline off Napier. Today there are over 180 kilometers of cycle routes between and around Napier and Hastings. The routes are generally flat and lead over rivers using bridges where necessary. You can use the Hawkes Bay Trials all year round.
Horse of the Year Show
Hawkes Bay Horse of the Year Show is the largest equestrian event in the Southern Hemisphere. The Horse of the Year Show continues to grow every year and is one of the premier sporting events in Australasia. The festival is dominated by jumping and dressage, but is also home to 17 different other equestrian disciplines. The competitions take place in the beautiful 100 hectares of Hawkes Bay Showgrounds, on the outskirts of Hastings city centre.
Walks
There are more than 35 nature walks in the Napier-Hastings area. As a nature lover you can enjoy the many walks, all different in length, duration and intensity. There are also heritage trails that you can walk or drive while learning more about Hawkes Bay’s unique history. All walks are free to enter and are well signposted and available in brochures from tourist information centres.
Longest name
According to the Guiness Book of Records, the longest place name is in Hawkes Bay: Taumata whakatangi hanga koauau o tamatea turi pukakapiki maunga horo nuku pokai whenua kitanatahu. The translation is: the top of the hill where Tamatea, the man with the big knees who climbed and devoured mountains and was better known as the Land Eater, played the flute for his love. The local Maori tribe, Ngati Kere, named the place after their eponymous ancestor Tamatea Pokai Whenua, who was an important chieftain and warrior. He got his long name from various events during his life; many fights and wanderings and because of his muscular body. During a battle in Porangahau, his brother was killed by another tribe. He was so sad that he stayed on the battlefield for several days. Every morning he would sit on the mountain and play a wail on the Koauau or Maori flute. Local people call the place Taumata Hill for short.