Napier

Napier is a seaside Art Deco city on New Zealand's east coast, known for its 1930s architecture, sunny weather and nearby wine country.

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Napier is a beachside city and seaport on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, in the Hawke's Bay region. A 3 February 1931 earthquake killed 256 people and leveled much of Napier and neighboring Hastings. The city center was rebuilt in 1930s Art Deco style, and much of that architecture is now protected and restored.

Marine Parade, a tree-lined ocean boulevard with fountains, gardens, mini golf and the Pania of the Reef statue, is one of the city's best-known walks. The climate is warm and relatively dry, and the city is sometimes called the Nice of the Pacific. Napier and Hastings, about 18 km apart, are the region's main urban areas. Hawke's Bay has over 70 wineries, and Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony is a day trip from Napier. The Art Deco Festival, held every February since 1988, drew an estimated 45,000 people to its 2018 edition.

Napier in five

Walk the Art Deco streetsAsk for a map at the information center or the Art Deco Trust for a self-guided walk. Guided walks run every day, rain or shine, except Christmas Day. Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake.
Check dates for the February festivalThe Art Deco Festival is held every February, with vintage cars, fashion and music. Rooms fill, so confirm the festival dates with the Art Deco Trust before you book flights or stays.
Book a Cape Kidnappers tripThe 13 hectare private reserve has the Saddle and Black Reef gannet colonies, with up to 25,000 gannets in close view. Visit through an overland safari or tour rather than turning up on the day.
Add Ahuriri and the wine countryAhuriri is a historic fishing village just outside the center with cafes, bars and galleries. Hastings is about 20 minutes away, and Hawke's Bay is known for pinot gris and syrah.Waiheke Island wine
Choose how you arriveTourism New Zealand lists about 4 hours by road from Wellington and about 1 hour by air from Wellington or Auckland. A loop with Taupō fits on the drive between the two cities.Taupō

Things to do in Napier

See all attractions in Napier

Monument · NapierPania of the Reef

a turtle swimming in an aquarium next to rocks

Aquarium · NapierNational Aquarium of New Zealand

Landmark · NapierNational Tobacco Company Building

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to NapierPut the places you like in Napier on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE), domestic flights
Getting there: Flights from Auckland and Wellington; about 4 hr by road from Wellington
Getting around: Walk the center and Marine Parade; car or bike for wineries
Best base: Central Napier near Marine Parade, or Ahuriri
Time needed: 2 nights; 3 with wine and Cape Kidnappers

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, dry
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Art Deco Festival
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, harvest
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Mild, clear
MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cool
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Cool, quiet
JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Coolest
AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Cool
SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Spring
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Mild
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Warm
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Warm, busy

Average daily high and low in Napier, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Napier

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 12°
Humidity: 72%
Wind: 9 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Napier

11:04 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+13

Today24°14°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 2%.
Wed21°14°12%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 12%.
Thu22°16°45%Thursday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 45%.
Fri30°17°64%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 64%.
Sat26°16°83%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 83%.
Sun27°15°16%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 27°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 09:24 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD

Amount

Converted to

NZD · New Zealand Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Cape Kidnappersby tour or overland safariA sandstone headland east of Hastings with the largest and most accessible gannet colony.
Hastings and Te Mata Peakabout 20 minutes from NapierWineries and one of Hawke's Bay's best-known viewpoints.
Taupōonward by road or airA lake town with Huka Falls and the base for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.Read the guide

Before you go to Napier

Cape Kidnappers and wine toursGannets, wineries and Art Deco walksCompare day trips

Car hire for Hawke's BayWineries are spread out by roadCompare cars

eSIM for the North Island loopMaps for the drive from WellingtonRead the guide

Insurance for festival tripsNon-refundable February bookingsRead the guide

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Rules for Napier, checked

Check whether you need a visa or an NZeTA before you fly; New Zealand Immigration sets the rules, and the NZeTA is applied for online.Source
Declare food, plants, seeds and animal products on your arrival card; biosecurity officers can give an on-the-spot fine for undeclared items.Source
Dial 111 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in New Zealand.
Tipping is not expected for ordinary restaurant or taxi service in New Zealand.
Napier has a tsunami risk. If you feel a long or strong earthquake, move to high ground and follow the evacuation signs.

Plan around Napier

Taupō

Lake, Huka Falls and Tongariro access

Read the guide Waiheke Island

The other wine stop on a North Island trip

Read the guide Taupō and the Ruapehu region

Volcano country between the coasts

Read the guide Wellington

The capital, about 4 hours by road

Read the guide Best time to visit New Zealand

Season by season for both islands

Read the guide All of New Zealand

Both islands, entry rules and money

Read the guide

Napier FAQ

Is Napier worth visiting?

Yes for Art Deco. The town was rebuilt in the 1930s after a 1931 earthquake that killed nearly 260 people, and Tourism New Zealand calls it one of the most complete Art Deco collections in the world.

How many days do you need in Napier?

Two nights cover the Art Deco walk, Marine Parade and Ahuriri. Add a third night for Hastings wineries or a Cape Kidnappers trip, which is best booked as a tour.

When is the Napier Art Deco Festival?

Every February, with vintage cars, fashion and music. Confirm the exact dates with the Art Deco Trust, and book rooms early because the whole town fills for the weekend.

Can you see the gannets at Cape Kidnappers?

Yes, at the privately owned reserve, where up to 25,000 gannets are within close distance. Access is through operators such as overland safari tours, so book rather than driving out unannounced.

How do you get from Napier to Wellington or Taupō?

Wellington is about 4 hours by road, and flights from Wellington or Auckland take about 1 hour. Taupō sits on the way north-west, so a loop through both is a natural route for a North Island drive.