History of Napier, New Zealand in Timeline

Napier is a beachside city and seaport on the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island, serving as the seat of the Hawke's Bay region. Renowned for its sunny climate, Norfolk pine-lined esplanade, and significant Art Deco architecture, Napier is often called the "Nice of the Pacific."

1912: Construction of the northern portion of the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line

In 1912, construction began on the northern portion of the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line between Napier and Gisborne.

September 1913: MED Established First Public Supply

In September 1913, the Napier Municipal Electricity Department (MED) established the city's first public electricity supply.

1915: Street lighting switched to electricity

In 1915, street lighting in Napier was switched to electricity.

1924: Hawke's Bay Electric Power Board formed

In 1924, the Hawke's Bay Electric Power Board was formed to supply Taradale and rural areas around Napier.

1925: Conversion to AC Electricity Began

In 1925, conversion to 230/400 volts AC began with the commissioning of a Fullager diesel generator.

1927: Arrival of grid power from Mangahao

In 1927, Napier began receiving grid power from Mangahao.

1929: Arrival of grid power from Waikaremoana

In 1929, Napier began receiving grid power from Waikaremoana.

February 1931: Earthquake in Napier and Hastings

In February 1931, an earthquake levelled most of Napier and nearby Hastings, resulting in 256 deaths and significant land uplift.

1931: Pre-1931 Existence

By virtue of its pre-1931 existence, the bulk of Napier is susceptible to soil liquefaction, the risk classed as Very High for the main urban area excluding the hill.

1931: Hawke's Bay Earthquake

In 1931, the Hawke's Bay earthquake razed much of Napier, leading to the city's rebuilding in Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture.

1931: Earthquake Coastline Alteration

In 1931, the coastline of Napier was substantially altered by a large earthquake.

1931: Earthquake History

MTG Hawke's Bay museum features information on both the 1931 earthquake and Napier's redesign as an Art Deco city.

1931: Rebuilding after Earthquake

The rebuilding of Napier after the 1931 earthquake coincided with the Art Deco era, resulting in the city's unique architecture.

August 1942: Line north of Napier to Gisborne opened

In August 1942, the railway line north of Napier to Gisborne was opened.

1942: Completion of the northern portion of the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line

In 1942, construction was completed on the northern portion of the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line between Napier and Gisborne.

January 1945: U-862 Submarine Incident

In January 1945, the German submarine U-862 entered and departed from the port of Napier undetected, leading to a tale about the crew milking cows ashore.

1950: Napier City Council Governance

Napier has been governed by the Napier City Council since 1950.

1961: Meeanee Speedway Opening

Meeanee Speedway opened in 1961 in Meeanee on Sandy Road, and is the home of the Hawkes Bay Speedway Club.

1962: Television arrived in the city

In 1962, television arrived in the city with the commissioning of a private translator relaying Wellington's WNTV1, which is now part of TVNZ 1.

1963: Record Rainfall

In 1963, Napier experienced its highest daily rainfall since records began. As of November 9 2020, it was the highest daily rainfall since 1963.

1965: Marineland Opening

Marineland was a tourist attraction in Napier from 1965 until it closed in 2009.

1966: Official television coverage

In 1966, official television coverage came with the commissioning of the Mount Erin transmitter.

1970: Fullager generator decommissioned

In 1970, the Fullager generator was decommissioned after serving as a peaking plant.

1973: Awatoto wastewater plant and outfall opened

In 1973, the Awatoto wastewater plant and outfall were opened, replacing the previous outfall.

1983: Arrival of natural gas

In 1983, natural gas arrived in Napier and Hastings.

1987: 1987 Rugby World Cup

McLean Park hosted matches during the 1987 Rugby World Cup.

March 1988: Napier gas works closing

On 21 March 1988, the Napier gas works closed.

1988: Art Deco Festival

Since 1988, tourists have flocked to Napier for the annual Art Deco Festival in February.

October 1990: Old Napier Railway Station closed

On 6 October 1990, the old Napier Railway Station was closed as functions moved to Pandora Point.

June 1991: New Napier Railway Station opened

On 9 June 1991, a new Napier Railway Station opened, and the old station was demolished.

1991: Awatoto wastewater plant upgraded

In 1991, the Awatoto wastewater plant was upgraded with milliscreens.

1991: MED merged with the Electric Power Board

In 1991, the MED merged with the Electric Power Board and was later renamed Hawke's Bay Power.

1998: Napier Hospital Closed

In 1998, Napier Hospital closed, and most services were transferred to Hastings Hospital.

1998: Retail base sold to Contact Energy

In 1998, the electricity sector reforms saw the retail base sold to Contact Energy, with the remaining lines business renamed Hawke's Bay Networks and later Unison Networks.

March 1999: Job Losses at Tobacco Plant

In March 1999, 19 people lost their jobs at Napier's smoking tobacco plant due to "fewer people are smoking".

1999: Referendum on Amalgamation

In 1999, a referendum was held proposing an amalgamation of the Hastings District Council with the Napier City Council, but it was rejected by Napier voters.

1999: Hawke's Bay Today newspaper established

In 1999, the Hawke's Bay Today newspaper was established following the merger of The Daily Telegraph and the Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune.

October 2001: Bay Express cancelled

On 7 October 2001, the Bay Express from Wellington to Napier was cancelled, and passenger services on the line ceased.

2001: Rail Passenger Service Ended

The rail line in and out of Hawke's Bay had a passenger service until 2001.

February 2004: Natural gas supply lost

In February 2004, the city and wider Hawke's Bay region lost natural gas supply for six days after a flood washed away a bridge supporting the high-pressure pipeline.

September 2005: Rothmans Factory Closure

On 9 September 2005, British American Tobacco announced it would close the Rothmans factory in Napier due to diminished demand, moving production to Australia.

October 2005: Pania Statue Stolen

In October 2005, the Pania of the Reef statue in Napier was stolen but recovered a week later, largely unharmed.

2007: Nomination as a World Heritage Site

In 2007, Napier was nominated as a World Heritage Site with UNESCO, marking the first cultural site in New Zealand to be nominated.

May 2009: Armed Attack by Jan Molenaar

In May 2009, Napier was the site of an armed attack by cannabis dealer Jan Molenaar, who killed one police officer and wounded two others and a civilian before committing suicide after a 40-hour siege.

2009: Marineland Closed

Marineland, a tourist attraction, closed in Napier in 2009.

2011: World Heritage Status Denied

In 2011, Napier was denied World Heritage status by UNESCO because it did not meet the required criteria, although its Art Deco heritage was acknowledged as outstanding.

2011: 2011 Rugby World Cup

McLean Park hosted matches during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

2012: Amendment to Local Government Act

In 2012, the National Government amended the Local Government Act to determine a reorganisation proposal by a majority vote over the entire proposed area, rather than a majority over each existing area.

2013: Barry Gibb Concert

In 2013, Barry Gibb performed with Carol King at the Mission Estate Winery Concert in the Napier suburb of Greenmeadows.

2013: 2013 Census

Since the 2013 census, Napier City's population increased by 7,455 people (13.0%).

2013: 'Warbirds over Awatoto' Show

The 2013 'Warbirds over Awatoto' model aircraft show on the outskirts of Napier attracted 48 pilots and 120 planes.

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2014: Awatoto wastewater plant upgraded

In 2014, the Awatoto wastewater plant was upgraded with biological trickling filters.

September 2015: Defeat of Reorganisation Proposal

In September 2015, a final reorganisation proposal to amalgamate Napier City Council with other district councils was defeated across the region, with 84% of voters in Napier rejecting the proposal.

2015: Jetstar served Auckland

In 2015, Jetstar, a Qantas subsidiary, began serving Auckland from Hawke's Bay Airport.

2015: Wine Enthusiast Recognition

In 2015, the Hawke's Bay wine region was featured in Wine Enthusiast Magazine as one of the 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations.

2015: 2015 Cricket World Cup

McLean Park hosted matches during the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

2018: 30th Art Deco Festival

In 2018, the Art Deco Festival celebrated its 30th year, attracting an estimated 45,000 people to Napier.

2018: 2018 Census

Since the 2018 census, Napier City's population increased by 2,454 people (3.9%).

2019: Jetstar ceased service to Auckland

In 2019, Jetstar, a Qantas subsidiary, ceased providing service to Auckland from Hawke's Bay Airport.

August 2020: Bee Cards replaced goBay cards

In August 2020, Bee Cards replaced goBay cards for use on Go Bus routes in Napier.

November 2020: Local State of Emergency

On 9 November 2020, a local state of emergency was declared in Napier after the region received 237 mm of rainfall across 24 hours, causing widespread flooding, slips, power cuts, and evacuations.

February 2023: Cyclone Gabrielle Floods

On 14 February 2023, floods caused by Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed bridges and damaged a major electrical substation in the Hawke's Bay region, leading to power and telecommunication outages and significant property damage.