New Zealand: Napier Art Deco

After bagging the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, we headed to John's #1 destination for the North Island, Napier, known for its art deco architecture. It wasn't much easier to get to by bus, we had to overnight in Palmerston North, where we had a very tasty Thai food dinner and witnessed our first ever light saber practice session.





Napier was devastated by the 1931 earthquake. The city was rebuilt in art deco style which was in vogue at the time. While the central business district is very harmonious architecturally, I was rather underwhelmed - the buildings are rather small and plain. The city oversells its art deco. I'm not sure it would even make my top 10 art deco city.

None of the art Deco buildings in Napier can be said to be "monumental" as the town was wary of building tall after the devastation of the earthquake. Here are several of the larger Art Deco buildings in Napier starting with the Municipal Theatre.




The Daily Telegraph Building (with an Art Deco Tour Guide in front). We were able to go inside and take a few photos.






The entrance to the National Tobacco Company Ltd is amazing.


Napier also has a bluff with a view, a busy port that ships lumber, and a black beach








Here are some other Art Deco buildings around town.