Hawke's Bay New Zealand

New Zealand Hawkes Bay is in the south east of the North Island and is a sweeping bay from the Mahia Peninsula down to Cape Kidnappers.

The two main districts are Wairoa, through Central Hawke’s Bay, to Hastings. Napier and Hastings are the two biggest cities in the Bay, both of which are surrounded by Hawke’s Bay wineries, more than seventy, due to the favourable climate.

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Hawke's Bay, Napier, Hastings, New Zealand

Napier

Coastal Napier is a fascinating place, Hawke's Bay’s biggest city, and known as the Art Deco capital of the world. You will see what is meant by that almost immediately.

The city was devastated by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 1931 and much of the Art Deco architecture was built after the earthquake.

Marine Parade, lined with Norfolk Pine trees, has numerous attractions along its length with Napier’s main beach along the coast side, a lot of which are listed below. Napier has a Mediterranean climate that makes it an attractive holiday destination favourite for Kiwis and international tourists.

Napier is host to numerous events and festivals such as The Mission Concert and Art Deco Weekend.

Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Hastings

Hastings is just 20km south from Napier and slightly inland.

Hastings gained a lot of wealth from farming and fruit growing, however, Napier’s tourist attractions beat Hastings to be the main city with Hastings being the second largest.

Hastings also has many interesting buildings that were built after the 1931 earthquake. Hastings did not suffer as much damage from fire as Napier though so a lot of buildings were saved from that fate.

You can get a leaflet from the I-SITE for a self-guided walk to see the Art Deco Hastings.

List of other New Zealand Regions

Districts

  • Wairoa
  • Hastings
  • Central Hawke’s Bay

Places to go in New Zealand Hawke's Bay

Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
  • Clive
  • Hastings
  • Haumoana
  • Havelock North
  • Mahia Peninsula
  • Morere
  • Napier
  • Porangahau
  • Te Awanga
  • Tuai and Lake Whakamarino
  • Tuki Tuki Valley
  • Waimarama
  • Waipawa
  • Waipukurau
  • Wairoa
  • Lake Waikaremoana

Hawke's Bay Attractions and Activities

  • Mahia Peninsula
    • Mahia Beach
    • Birdwatching at Maungawhio Lagoon
    • Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve
    • Mahia Golf Course
  • Morere Hot Springs
  • Wairoa Museum
  • Hawke’s Bay Wine Country
  • Hawke’s Bay Wine Trail

Napier Attractions

Vintage Car in Napier
Vintage Car in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
  • Art Deco Capital of the World
  • Art Deco Napier Tours and Walking Trails
  • Museum Theatre Gallery
  • Vintage Deco Car Tours
  • Hawkes Bay Museum
  • Tom Parker Fountain
  • Marineland
  • The National Aquarium of New Zealand
  • Ocean Spa heated saltwater pools
  • Pania of the Reeg
  • Sunken Garden
  • Opossum World
  • Bluff Hill
  • New Zealand Wine Centre
  • Napier Prison (decommissioned in 1993)
  • Ahuriri
    • National Tobacco Company Building
    • Sheepskin Tannery

Hastings Attractions

  • Te Mata Peak
  • Art Deco Hastings walk
  • Westerman Building
  • Hawke’s Bay Opera House
  • Havelock North

Cape Kidnappers Nature Reserve

  • Gannet Sanctuary (over 16,000 Gannets)

Southern Hawkes Bay

  • Norsewood - and Pioneer Museum
  • Dannevirke

Regions

More New Zealand Regions

Map of Hawkes Bay New Zealand Location