Short answer: Napier, in Hawke's Bay, was rebuilt in the Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake, and its centre is one of the most complete collections of the style anywhere. The Art Deco Festival Napier runs from 18 to 21 February 2027. It is a strong theme for groups, but rooms fill early that week.
Napier sits on the east coast of the North Island, about two hours' drive from Taupō. Most clients come for the wine of Hawke's Bay and stay for the town itself. This guide explains why Napier looks the way it does, how to use it in a programme, and what to know about festival week.
Why Napier is Art Deco
At 10.47am on 3 February 1931 a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Hawke's Bay. Most of Napier and much of nearby Hastings was destroyed by the shaking and the fires that followed, and 256 people were killed. The land rose too: about 4,000 hectares of today's Napier had been under the sea.
The centre was rebuilt quickly, between 1931 and 1933, in the style of the time. That is why the streets have such a consistent look: low buildings with geometric patterns, sunbursts and zigzags, many with details drawn from Māori design. For clients it is a story as much as a style, and a good guide tells both.
Using Napier in a programme
Napier works as a one- or two-night stop:
- Between Taupō or Rotorua and Wellington, on an east-coast route south. See our notes on Rotorua and Taupō.
- With Hawke's Bay wine, which our wine regions guide covers, and food in Havelock North.
What we usually include:
- A guided Art Deco walk through the centre. Guided walks are run locally, and we book a private walk for groups where possible.
- A vintage car tour of the town, which suits small groups and incentive programmes.
- The Marine Parade along the seafront, an easy walk for most clients.
Napier has an airport with domestic flights, so the town also works as a fly-in, fly-out stop for clients short of time.
The Art Deco Festival, February 2027
The Art Deco Festival Napier is organised by the Art Deco Trust and is billed as New Zealand's largest heritage festival. The 2027 festival runs over four days, from 18 to 21 February 2027, with vintage fashion, classic cars, live music, street entertainment and ticketed events across the city.
For agents this cuts two ways:
- It is a selling point. Clients who enjoy history, fashion or classic cars can join a town in 1930s dress. Some festival events are ticketed separately and sell out.
- It is a capacity problem. Napier is a small city, and festival week falls in late summer, a busy time already. We hold rooms early for any group travelling that week, and look at Hastings or Havelock North when Napier is full.
If a programme is not built around the festival, we usually plan Napier for a different week.
What to brief your client on
- The centre is flat and easy to walk, but summer days can be hot. Bring sun protection.
- Festival week is busy and some streets may be closed for events. Expect crowds.
- Wine tastings in Hawke's Bay run on a coach or with a driver. We do not plan self-drive tasting days.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan Napier and Hawke's Bay stays for group tours, incentive and MICE programmes and FIT clients, with food and wine tours and coach and private transfers. See our Napier and Havelock North destination pages.
FAQ
Why is Napier built in Art Deco? A magnitude 7.8 earthquake destroyed most of the town on 3 February 1931. The centre was rebuilt between 1931 and 1933 in the Art Deco style of the time.
When is the Art Deco Festival Napier in 2027? From 18 to 21 February 2027, over four days. It is organised by the Art Deco Trust.
Is festival week a good time for a group? Only if the programme is built around the festival. Rooms fill early, so we hold them well in advance or use Hastings and Havelock North.
How long should clients stay in Napier? One or two nights, often combined with Hawke's Bay wine and a guided Art Deco walk.
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
