Blogs from Napier, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

In 1931, Napier, at the southern end of Hawke’s Bay, was hit by a devastating earthquake and then fire and the centre of the town totally destroyed. But, plans were submitted immediately for the rebuilding and only two years later, the town was totally rebuilt in the Art Deco fashion of the 1930’s and a parade took place in 1933 celebrating the rebirth. The townspeople didn’t realize how special this style was until decades later when it was restored to its former glory. After a video showing how the town looked before the quake, our one and a half hour walk led by our very knowledgeable guide, gives us a fascinating insight into the history and buildings. The colours of cement are soft pinks, greens, yellows and blues and no posts are holding up a single ... read more

The Maori name is Taumatawhakatanghihangako-auauotamteaturipukapikimaunga-horonuku-pokaiwhenuakitanatahu. This is a Maori phrase recalling the mythical Tamatea (land eater) who serenaded his lover with a magical flute. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (a Welsh town - the longest place name in the English language) eat your heart out. The original town was destroyed by an earthquake on 3 February 1931 and as a result of the quake it gained 10,000 acres of land from the debris thrown up from the sea. It was rebuilt in the Art Deco style. We started our morning visiting the Aquarium. We passed on the lunchtime special as we were afraid it would be too fresh. The aquarium is used as a means of teaching about the environment and conservation of species. From there we wandered back into the town and spotted a Starbucks. Note for niece Katie ... read more

The next day we moved on and made our way to Napier. As soon as we arrived there Mark took us up to an amazing spot where he'd been before. We literally drove up a mountain and ended up at Te Mata Peak, a fantastic lookout point where you get annihilated by the wind. The views from here were astonishing though allowing you to see for miles. That night Mark and Inga decided to sleep in the camper van up at the top perilously close to the edge of the cliff face which drops down, well, far, very far. I was seriously worried for them and didn't actually expect them to spend the night there as the wind that night back down at sea level, where we were staying, seemed as strong as it did earlier ... read more

Stayed for 2 nights at this delightful art deco city (well town really by our standards as it is no bigger than Newark with one third the population). Parts of the city were destroyed in an eathquake in 1931 so it was rebuilt by imigrants in the art deco style. Although many of the shops are under new ownership, the original names appear on the nameplates above. Great place for shopping, especially house furnishing. Had Sunday lunch at Mission wines, the oldest winery in NZ. For affictionados this is the Hawkes Bay wine region. A pre lunch tasting session was neccessary to narrow down our choise with the food which was excellent. Heading south again to the wine region of Wairarapa (Masterton, Carteron and Martingborough).... read more

I had a nice lie in today and then we headed out for lunch with my grandads 2nd cousin Babara and her husband Jon (Kim's aunt and uncle). We went down to Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) where Emma Druitt, another cousin, and Renee study. Emma is studying to be a chef and at EIT there is a Scholars Kitchen where you can have great food cooked for you by the trainee chefs for great value. Georgia was with us as she is off school at the moment and Annie and Renee joined us for lunch. I had a great butter chicken curry and a smoothie. Emma brought out a chocolate dessert she had just been making and we all got a try! It was truely scrumptious! I had a lemon dessert and then Emma brought ... read more