New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, between latitude 34'S and 47'S. The country runs roughly north-south with mountain ranges down much of its length. Its two main islands (North and South) cover 266,200 sq km (103,735 sq miles), about the size of Japan or California and slightly larger than Great Britain.
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back to GMT+12.
The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August.
In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC.

While these temperatures are the norm, the weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly as cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature, particularly if you’re going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

The region is New Zealand’s leading producer of red wines, has the greatest concentration of Art Deco architecture and hosts the country’s most elaborate celebrations of Matariki - the Maori New Year. As if that weren’t enough, from the golden sandy beaches and spectacular scenery in the north, to the country side and rural towns further south - not to mention the twin cities of Napier and Hastings in between, Hawke's Bay has a rich diversity of places to visit.
Experience the climate and places, food and wine, shopping and sports, art, culture and architecture that only Hawke's Bay can offer.

About Hawke's Bay

Hawke’s Bay is diverse landscape, bountiful produce, award winning wines, unique wildlife, stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Hot on the New Zealand scene, Hawke’s Bay’s stunning Mediterranean climate and enviable East Coast setting lure visitors to experience a region rich in delicious flavours and beautiful things, and to enjoy average year round temperatures of 19.3 degrees and plenty of sunshine.

Napier Art Deco City

At 10:47 am on 3 February, 1931, a violent shock followed closely by a second rocked Hawke's Bay for almost three minutes. 　Many thousands more required medical treatment.
Far from the world's great population centres and from the European and American cities where 20th Century design evolved lies a small city that is unique. Napier, New Zealand, was rebuilt in the early 1930s following a massive Richter 7.8 Earthquake. Subsequent fires destroyed most of its commercial heart. By the end of the decade, Napier was the newest city on the globe.

Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco, the style of the 20th Century - in such a concentrated area.
There are some variety of quality activities which educate, promote and celebrate the history of Napier's destruction and its rebirth in Art Deco style. These activities are listed below..
• Walking tour with guide: Around 1.5 hours to 2 hours, from $14.00 to $20.00
• Deco bus tour: Last for 75 minutes, $38 per person
• Vintage Deco car tour: Cost $130 for up to 3 or 4 passengers

HASTINGS

Hastings suffered similar to Napier in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. However, because of the lesser damage by fire and more intact buildings, Hastings was able to regenerate faster, with many new businesses started here rather than in Napier. Both towns gained a legacy from the disaster by rebuilding in the then-fashionable and highly distinctive Art Deco style, similar to that of Miami, FL, USA. Sadly, as commerce has improved in Hastings of late, resulting in the skyrocketing of land prices, many of these historic buildings are being demolished and replaced with modern, multi-storey office buildings.
Scheduled Walking city tour with guide is available, every Saturday , around 1.5 hours