I didn't get to spend a lot of time in town…read more Napier is the cruise port for the Hawke's Bay area. And Hawke's is a fantastic wine area. So I spent a fair amount of my day there. But on returning to Napier I had a couple of hours to stroll the shoreline and part of downtown. Napier was first sighted by Captain Cook in October 1769. Maori families were already living in the area. Traders, whalers and missionaries would start to arrive shortly after. In the 1850's farmers and hotel keepers came next. The surrounding Hawke's Bay is currently all farming- wine, tropical fruits, and vegetables. They are the New Zealand's farming heartland. By the late 1800's Napier was flourishing. It became an established commercial centre with a large port. Then Tuesday February 3, 1931, Napier and Hawke's Bay suffered an earthquake lasting 2.5 minutes. The earthquake almost totally leveled all buildings in the city, killing 162 in Napier and 94 in the outer Hawke's Bay area. The major rebuilding took place in the 1930's and shows in the Art Deco style in the city. As I strolled the beautiful Art Deco buildings, you could tell how many of the residents embrace it. Several donned period clothing, jumped in their 1930's classic cars and cruised the Marine Highway and Emerson Street. Some even stopped for pictures. Marine Highway was a fabulous area along the edge of town. A great long sandy beach for surfing and just enjoying. Paved biking and walking paths. Statues, the outdoor theater, sunken gardens, and aquarium. Between Napier and the wineries, there's plenty to see and do in the area. Future trips will be necessary.

When we first arrived in the City Of Napier New Zealand, I felt there was something very special…read morewaiting for me to discover. And as my wife and I self - toured down town Napier , it was quite apparent what makes this city a popular destination ! Most of the downtown buildings were built after the great "Hawke's Bay Earthquake " in 1931 and are now protected & restored to it's original Art-Deco style construction. The architecture are all done in the re-tro theme because "Art - Deco Renaissance" was in full swing during this period. The City Of Napier is renowned for it's Art - Deco Architecture and was nominated as a "World Heritage Site " in 2007. We happened to just missed the Art - Deco Festival by one week ! There are so many things to see and do once you get here. Some of the more popular activities are the local Art - Deco Tour/ Wine Tours/ Train Rides/ Museums / Fine Dinning / Shopping ! Shopping ! Shopping ! Make lifetime memories ! Enjoy ! Live/Love!Travel !

Much of the buildings here in Napier New Zealand had to be rebuilt after the devastating earthquake…read moreof 1931. Rebuilding began almost immediately, with the new buildings reflecting the popular architectural styles of the times ( Art - Deco / Spanish Mission / Stripped Classical). The original owner of the building was "JS Golding". Local architects that were involved in designing the building were (Finch & Westerholm). While local contractor (JJ Lee) build the building. The architectural style of the Napier Building is called (Stripped Classical). The building itself has 2 story's and made with reinforced concrete to withstand future earthquakes. The upper floors are offices for local businesses, while the main floor housed 4 retail spaces. Napier is renowned for it's Art -Deco Heritage Buildings and is said to have one of the most complete Art - Deco buildings in the world ! I can see why Napier is such a popular tourist destination ! Enjoy !! Live/Love\Travel !

The original Briascos Building was built in 1930 but reinstated after the 1931 earthquake. The…read morestructures interior did sustained major fire damage during the earthquake , fortunately it's walls remained standing. The Briascos Building architectural style is called" Stripped Classical "with "Maori Assents". The original owners "Briascos & Londontown" hired a local architect by the name of " E.A. Williams " to design the building/ W.M. Angus Ltd as the builder. It is only one of a handful of buildings here in Napier Center City that used " Maori Motifs" as an architectural element. I found this building very upscaled in materials used for it's construction. Beautiful stained glass all along the storefront entrances was quite impressive ! Interior design also included terrazzo marble & oak finishes in the lower level. This beautiful building was awarded the " Art - Deco Trust Merit Award "in 2004. Enjoy! Live/Love/Travel !

There were only a handful of buildings that survived the earthquake of 1931 here in Napier New…read moreZealand. Napier sits almost directly over the fault line abutting the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. Fortunately the "Public Trust Building" was one of the handful of buildings that remained standing ! The "Neo Classical Style "building was designed by architects "Hyland & Phillips" and built in 1921 by "Public Trust" the largest provider of wills /trust/financial services in New Zealand. The building with it's recessed entrance/detailed cornice & roll of Doric columns wanted to reflect the power and strength of the government. With that being said gave the citizens and businesses faith and confidence that their government will always be there for them, especially after the devastating earthquake of 1931. The building was structurally strengthened after the 1931 earthquake and was awarded the Merit Award from the Art Deco Trust for preserving the interior in 1990. " Public Trust " has been serving the people of New Zealand since 1873 and lives by It's Maori name ,"Te Tari Tiaki lwi " meaning " the organization that takes care of people "! Live/Love/Travel !

The glistening gold accents on the Hawkes Bay Chambers Building here in Napier New Zealand really…read more exemplified the rich color tones used during of the " Art - Deco " Revival . The building's construction was completed following the Hawke's Bay Earthquake in 1932. It's original owner was "F.W. Triggs" whom used this building as a place of business with shops & offices . With the help of architect & engineer "Earnest Aurther Williams" and builder "Holder Brothers", The 2 story building was constructed with reinforced concrete to withstand any further damage due to future earthquakes. This is a fine example of Napiers renowned Art - Deco buildings. Enjoy ! Live/Love/Travel !

For those of you that are history buffs like myself, I would highly recommend visiting the New…read moreZealand Insurance Building . The building is currently called the Art - Deco Center of Napier. The center offers a wide variety of gifts/ books / souvenirs / and even retro - toys. They also provide tours of the city and country - side. They can answer any questions you may have about the local history. The building was completed in 1932 shortly after the Hawkes Bay Earthquake of 1931. The whole 2 story building were offices for it's original owner " Kinross White LTD. Local architect " J.A. Louis Hays " working together with local builder" N. Cole"created this "Gem". Enjoy ! Live/Love/Travel !

In 1933, residence rejoiced & celebrated the recovery & rebuilding of their city, after the…read moreearthquake of 1931. "Miss Sheila Williams " the daughter of renowned architect "Earnest Williams" Led and organized the New Napier Week Carnival on January, 1933. Sheila was also chosen as the Carnival Queen of the event. Napier City Council commissioned "Mark Whyte" of Lyttelton to create two bronze sculptures to commemorate the rebirth of the City of Napier. One being modeled after Miss Sheila Williams strolling along Emerson Street with her loving dog (greyhound) "Raven". Images of exorbrent women with their elegant dogs were a popular theme during the Art - Deco Period. This sculpture was unveiled in February of 2010. Miss Sheila Williams life and true events happening of the times makes this lovely bronze sculpture even more special ! Don't forget to say "hi" to Raven. Enjoy ! Live/Love/Travel !

Here in Napier New Zealand, especially in the City Center there are as many architectural styles as…read morethere are colors in a rainbow. The Emerson Building is a good example of what you would call "Spanish Mission". The building was built right after the Hawke's Bay Earthquake in 1931 and designed by local architects "Finch & Westerholme." As with most buildings built after the earthquake, the 2 story building was made with reinforced concrete. As you can see in the old photo taken of the Emerson Building around 1935, there was no arched awning at the time. I'm not quite sure when the awning was added to the building, but it does make the Emerson Building stand out. This was the only building that had this type of feature leading too its entrance. In 1990 the Emerson Building received the " Supreme Award" by the Art -Deco Trust for building preservation ! Woo - Hoo ! As always thanks for reading ! Enjoy ! Live/Love/Travel !