On February 3, 1931, a massive earthquake (7.9 on the Richter scale) rattled much of Hawke’s Bay into rubble. Though the history of the region didn’t begin with the quake, it certainly seemed to freeze there. Almost immediately following the disaster, teams of architects poured into Napier and Hastings, determined to rebuild in the inexpensive Art Deco and Spanish Mission architectural styles popular at the time. Today, the area’s main attractions are its anachronistic buildings and scenic vineyards. Most tourists zip past Hawke’s Bay, leaving the region pleasantly uncrowded for those who decide to stay a while. Travelers who do stop will not be disappointed by the viniculture and host of off-beat sights.
Hastings (pop. 74,000) may be known as Napier’s twin city, but the resemblance is strictly nominal. Only 19km away, it fell victim to the same quake of 1931 but was partially rebuilt in Spanish Mission ...more
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