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Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand

Photo · Wikimedia Commons

(North Island) — Destination

Hawke's Bay.

Wine, art deco, sun

Best time

Feb–Apr for harvest and long evenings

Suggested stay

2–3 days

(01) — A field note

Sun-soaked Pacific coast, Art Deco streets and one of the country's great wine regions — a long weekend in two and a half hours from Auckland.

01

The setting

Hawke's Bay stretches along the east coast of the North Island around the twin cities of Napier and Hastings. Napier was rebuilt in Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake and remains one of the most complete deco townscapes in the world.

02

How to eat

The region is built on long lunches — book a cellar-door table at Craggy Range, Black Barn, Elephant Hill or Mission Estate (the country's oldest winery, founded 1851). Hastings' weekend farmers' market is a Sunday-morning institution.

03

Where to stay

Choose Art Deco hotels on Marine Parade in Napier, vineyard cottages in Havelock North, or clifftop lodges out toward Cape Kidnappers — home to the world's largest mainland gannet colony.

Best for

  • Wine tasting
  • Art Deco architecture
  • Cape Kidnappers
  • Te Mata Peak

Worth the Detour · Napier → Clifton

+40 minutes

Cape Kidnappers

The world's largest mainland gannet colony, on a sandstone cape at the end of a dramatic beach — one of the great half-days in the North Island.

While you're thereWalk the beach at low tide (check tide times) or take a guided overland tour to the colony.

Local Picks — Hawke's Bay

  • Come at sunrise.

    Te Mata Peak

    Locals watch the sun come up over the vines from the summit.

  • A Kiwi would go here.

    Hastings Farmers' Market

    Sunday morning — the region's produce gathered in one showground.

Editorial recommendations — no paid placement.

(Book) — Hawke's Bay

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(Plan) — Hawke's Bay

Plan your time in Hawke's Bay

Ideas, experiences and trusted specialists to shape your visit — start with our guides.

Where to go

All →
Huka Lodge — Luxury Lodge, Taupō
Photo · Unsplash

Luxury Lodge · Taupō

Huka Lodge

Enquire directly

Cloudy Bay — Winery & Cellar Door, Marlborough
Photo · Unsplash

Winery & Cellar Door · Marlborough

Cloudy Bay

Enquire directly

Federal Delicatessen — All-day Restaurant, Auckland CBD
Photo · Unsplash

All-day Restaurant · Auckland CBD

Federal Delicatessen

Enquire directly

Further reading

A curated guide to Auckland's café scene
Photo · Wikimedia Commons

Café Culture · 8 min

A curated guide to Auckland's café scene

Exceptional luxury lodges across New Zealand
Photo · Wikimedia Commons

Luxury Stays · 9 min

Exceptional luxury lodges across New Zealand

(Next) — Keep planning Hawke's Bay

Best time to visit

Month-by-month weather, crowds and value

Itineraries

5 to 21 day routes you can drive yourself

Private & organised tours

We arrange the whole journey for you

Where to stay

Lodges, boutique hotels and retreats

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Sources & useful links

Road conditions, closures and alpine passes change daily. Check the official journey planner on the morning you travel. Opening hours, prices and availability are set by each business and change without notice. Confirm directly before making the trip.

Last checked 21 August 2026