Making the most of Napier
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Vessels dock at the Port of Napier, just a pleasant 2 km walk along the shoreline.
Te Whiti, or 6 Wharf, was completed in late 2022. This expansion enables Napier Port to receive some of the world's largest cruise ships, including Oasis-class vessels.
Taxis are normally waiting at the pier.
Port safety rules prohibit walking on the pier, so a free shuttle bus is provided. At its stop, numerous local people offer different tours and more.
Carry a printable map while ashore.
An earthquake levelled Napier in 1931, after which the whole city was reconstructed in the Art Deco style.
Napier is notably small, with only a couple of principal streets.
A Mediterranean climate and more than 2,200 annual sunshine hours support this lively, year-round destination and its café culture amid splendid Art Deco buildings. Around 30 cafés are an easy walk from the central city, with another group of more upmarket venues in Ahuriri beyond Bluff Hill.
Marine Parade is essential to Napier's sense of fun and adventure. It faces the Pacific Ocean and looks towards Cape Kidnappers, home to the world's largest mainland gannet colony.
Par 2 - MiniGolf occupies an ideal Marine Parade setting, “by the Soundshell, beside the Sea”. Its two 18 hole MiniGolf courses welcome casual and competitive players alike. A game or two comes with panoramic views of Hawke Bay and the Pacific Ocean, accompanied by Napier's impressive Art Deco architecture.
A full day could encompass the Ocean Spa hot pools and swimming centre, Hawkes Bay Museum and the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
Bluff Hill is a Napier landmark and home to many local residents, with views across the town beaches at Perfume Point and Westshore, beyond the newly upgraded airport and towards Whirinaki. It also overlooks the Port of Napier, among New Zealands busiest ports, which sends timber, local fruit and meat products to destinations worldwide.
Getting around
The Soundshell and Pania of the Reef are notable sights. Pania, among New Zealand's most photographed landmarks, comes from Maori mythology and symbolises Napier. She stands on Marine Parade, a brief walk from the city centre.
Visit an information centre or an Official National i-SITE Visitor centre to collect a leaflet, reserve a tour or seek friendly guidance from knowledgeable staff.
Nearby places
Cape Kidnappers's colony of Australasian gannets is the area's leading natural attraction and the world's largest mainland gannet colony. These large seabirds normally nest only on remote islands, so the cape presents a rare opportunity to observe them closely.
Use Route 12 between Napier-Hastings and Route 13 for Taradale, where many local wineries are based.
Food and shopping
When cruise ships call, most shops remain open.
About one mile from the port, the Napier Business District is the primary retail area. Wines are highly popular purchases in this renowned wine-producing region. Classic Decor sells goods from bed covers and bicycle seat covers to foot warmers and sheepskin rugs.
Money
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar. A few businesses, particularly at visitor destinations, take foreign money. The approximate US-dollar conversion is US$1=NZD1.30.
Automatic teller machines, or ATMs, are locally called ‘the hole in the wall’ and can be found in almost every town.
Staying connected
English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language hold official status in New Zealand. English is used universally and written with Commonwealth ("British") spelling.
For an emergency in New Zealand, telephone 111.
Many public libraries provide public Internet access, generally for a fee.