Napier City Centre Historic Area. Napier. New Zealand.
S 39° 29.395 E 176° 55.140
60H E 493034 N 5628851
Quick Description: On February 3, 1931, a major earthquake devastated the central business area of Napier. Only a very few buildings withstood serious damage. Virtually all of the 4.2 hectare area had to be rebuilt from scratch.
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 9/4/2009 6:19:48 PM
Waymark Code: WM75ET
Views: 2
Long Description: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.
The task of rebuilding the city centre was undertaken almost
immediately after the earthquake, and within three years the town
had been almost entirely rebuilt. The rubble from the devastation
was dumped along the waterfront area, extending the Marine Parade
reserve.
Most buildings erected following the earthquake were designed in
what can very broadly be described as the Art Deco style. This
style had been popularised in 1925 at the International Exposition
of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, held in Paris. 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.
And Napier's Art Deco is unique, with Maori motifs and the
buildings of Louis Hay, admirer of the great Frank Lloyd
Wright.
Not all buildings in the nominated area are in Art Deco or
related styles of the 1930's. A few buildings survived the
earthquake virtually intact and are compatible with the general
character of the area.
The area comprises the structures and land of Napier's central
business area, Tiffen Park, Clive and Memorial Squares and an area
on the eastern side of Marine Parade are included.
Some Earthquake History:
Fires began in chemists' shops where gas jets were in close
proximity to flammable liquids. One hour after the earthquake, the
fires were spreading rapidly. Fires also broke at Ahuriri. In
Napier, the water supply was lost and there was little that firemen
could do. In Hastings, the water supply remained intact so the
fires were contained.
HMS Veronica was moored at West Quay. HMS Dunedin and HMS
Diomede left Auckland with medical supplies and personnel at 3.00pm
that day and arrived in Napier at 8.30am on Wednesday.
People, afraid to enter their homes, camped in their gardens, on
road-sides, at Nelson Park and on the Marine Parade Beach.
There are information panels at the given co-ordinates with a
map and numbered sites relating to other panels around the city
with historic photos and information.
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act
1993.