Proudly
NAPIER December 2023
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Word from our Mayor Kirsten Wise Kia ora koutou. Summer is here and it’s a great time to welcome visitors to Napier. Whether you’ve got family coming home for the festive season or guests coming for a first-time visit to the Bay, you will probably take on the all-important role of tour guide, entertainment host and social organiser! We all love Napier and we’re lucky because it’s an easy place to show off! It’s got history and heritage, culture and vibrancy. It’s close to nature with plenty of places to get some fresh air, from Maggie’s Way down to the seashore. There are lots of free or low-cost, family-friendly activities to keep everyone happy. Here in Napier we’ve got first-class facilities that offer a range of experiences, from our penguin rehabilitation centre at the
National Aquarium through to significant works of art at the MTG. Century Theatre and the Municipal Theatre have performing arts covered, Faraday Centre offers a hands-on experience of history, Par 2 mini-golf provides a great place for some friendly competition and Ocean Spa is the perfect way to wind down after a busy day. Over the summer, we also have a full calendar of events from music festivals to sport, from big community celebrations like our famous New Year’s Eve at the Soundshell in the middle of the city to our boutique urban food and wine event Napier Night Fiesta at Clive Square. Everybody is welcome and there’s plenty on for everyone to enjoy. To get started with your holiday planning, head to the newly refurbished Napier isite. Our friendly team there will help build an itinerary that’s perfect for you and your guests. It’s been a full year with lots of challenges to navigate. May the holiday ahead be restful and rejuvenating. From me and the whole team here at Napier City Council, I hope this summer is full of fun, good times with family and friends, and lots of opportunities to make happy memories.
Friday 1 December 5.30pm - 8.30pm Clive Square, Napier
To find out more visit napier.govt.nz Emerson Street’s two historic squares – Clive Square and Memorial Square - are kicking summer off to a bright start with picnics, music and art. Squares in the City runs from 1-8 December, with a different event - and a different summery vibe on offer every day. Councillor Sally Crown, is the Squares in the City Ambassador and Chair of Napier City Council’s Prosperous Napier Committee. She explains the reason behind the activation is to celebrate summer and bring people to a part of the city that is currently under used but full of potential. “The Squares are really special, iconic to Napier and have a cool blend of history and vibrancy,” explains Councillor Crown.
“We want to create relaxed, interesting reasons for people to rediscover the Squares and fall in love with them. They are a space that’s open to everyone and inviting for all. Whether you’re a local or a visitor they have a distinctive character that’s 100% Napier.” “We are bringing together local talent – artists, musicians, performers – as well as everyone’s favourite food trucks to create a week of entertainment and connection in the middle of the city. It’s going to be bright, quirky, a little bit loud and a lot of fun for everyone,” says Councillor Sally Crown. “We have a vision of helping create places and spaces where everyone wants to be and this is a great example of making that happen.”
Saturday 2 December 10am - 1pm Clive Square, Napier
Parade Fiesta in the Squares Sunday 3 December After 1pm, following Christmas Parade Memorial Square, Napier Monday 4 December 7am - 9am Between Clive & Memorial Square, Napier Tuesday 5 & Thursday 7 December 12pm - 2pm Memorial Square, Napier
Wednesday 6 December 2pm - 4pm Clive Square, Napier
Night Fiesta Friday 8 December 5.30pm - 8.30pm Clive Square, Napier
Summer fun in Maraenui Basketball has bounced its way into the big time at Maraenui’s Bledisloe Road Reserve. A half court is now a popular place for people of all ages to hang out and shoot hoops on the reserve, by the Maraenui Shopping Centre.
POPULAR PATHWAY The final stage of the final pathway to come from our 20-year collaboration with the Rotary Pathways Trust is now open. Maggie’s Way is an approximately 3.5km long pathway through Taradale, stretching from Otatara Pa to Tironui Drive. A bequest to the trust from the late Basil McCoward paved the way for the popular pathway, named for his late wife, Margaret. At the opening of the last stage, Rotary Pathways Trust chair Barbara Arnott paid tribute to everybody who had helped the trust. “The collaboration between the community and Council has been wonderful, especially when you see the number of locals and visitors alike using the network. We can hang up our trust hats with a sense of accomplishment.”
It had a temporary home on the other side of the reserve earlier this year. A tree on the reserve suffered irreparable damage due to Cyclone Gabrielle and had to be removed. The silver lining? Removing the tree left a space that was the perfect spot to put the court, permanently. Slam-dunk fans can thank community advocate Barbara Abbott for suggesting a court, with Council turning her idea into a reality. The reserve is a hub of activity now, especially over summer when the splash pad, opened last summer, is up and running. The skate area and playground also present plenty of opportunities for fun. The ping pong table, which was once outside the old Napier Library, sits nearby close to the concrete pad used by outdoor fitness fans. The Maraenui b-ball half court is the latest court we’ve added to community spaces. Basketball half courts have featured in recent upgrades to Petane, Essex Street (Tamatea) and Roberts Terrace (Maraenui) recreational reserves.
Gift shops are the go! Got Christmas shopping fever? Or stuck for ideas? Looking for something a bit different…in a welcoming and stress-free environment? Head along to the gift shops you'll find at our visitor attractions. We have an excellent selection of treasures, trinkets and treats from the curious to the unique. Feel the festive season at our facilities shops – there’s plenty of choices for everyone on your Christmas list.
Faraday Museum's gift shop is brimming with nostalgic vintage finds.
Head out on a seaside adventure with National Aquarium marine experts for ‘Rocky Shore Explore’ between 27 December and 30 January. Discover the mysteries above and below the water encountering diverse marine life, from crabs to sea stars. Bookings are essential and can be made online.
The MTG Hawke's Bay has free entry for all and there’s always something to see. Two shows on over the summer will particularly appeal to families with kids. Eye Spy Curious Stories and Pictures and Other Works show intriguing highlights from the Hawke’s Bay Collection.
National Aquarium has educational toys, classy Kiwiana and gifts that appeal to the environmentally minded.
MTG has arty, history and heritage covered.
Bay Skate has all the things for those who love their wheels. The newly refurbished isite is the perfect place to find something for visitors.
NAPIER CITY COUNCIL WORKS FOR YOU
Ready for an action-packed cricket season this summer at McLean Park? Black Caps take on Bangladesh. The ODI clash on Saturday 23 December, and the T20 showdown on Wednesday 27 December, promise edgeof-your-seat excitement! Tickets are on sale now at ticketek.co.nz.
HONO MAI JOIN US napier.govt.nz/careers
Hawke’s Bay Event Guide To find out more visit hawkesbaynz.com/whats-on DECEMBER 1-8 3 8 9 23 26 27 28 29 30 31
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Squares in the City Events Clive & Memorial Square, Napier Napier Christmas Parade Napier CBD Napier Night Fiesta Clive Square, Napier Christmas in the Park Park Island, Napier Blackcaps v Bangladesh ODI McLean Park, Napier Cape Estate Boxing Day Festival Cape Estate, Te Awanga Blackcaps v Bangladesh T20 McLean Park, Napier Bicep Black Barn Amphitheatre A Summer’s Day Live Church Road Winery The Feelers Bev Ridges, Napier New Years Eve Concert Napier Soundshell
JANUARY 4 5-6 5-6 8
10
12
Sublime Black Barn Amphitheatre Nest Fest Tomoana Showgrounds, Hastings Superstock Champs Meeanee Speedway, Napier Supersmash Central Districts v Wellington (Double Header) McLean Park, Napier Supersmash Central Districts v Otago (Double Header) McLean Park, Napier Napier Night Fiesta Clive Square, Napier
Drax Project and Coterie Black Barn Amphitheatre 19-20 NZ Scooter Nationals 2024 Bay Skate, Napier 19-22 2024 NZ Laser Sailing Champs Napier Sailing Club 20 Bridge Pa Wine Festival Bridge Pa Triangle, Hastings 25 Botanic Beats Napier Botanical Gardens 26 Napier Night Fiesta Clive Square, Napier
FEBRUARY 9
Napier Night Fiesta Clive Square, Napier 10 Outfield Festival Te Awanga 13-19 Romeo and Juliet Napier Municipal Theatre 15-18 Art Deco Festival Napier 17 Napier Port Ocean Swim 23 Napier Night Fiesta Clive Square, Napier 24-25 World Cup Triathlon Series Ahuriri, Napier 25 MCL Construction Triple Peaks Havelock North
A donation & gift appeal for those in need in Napier
Help us spread joy this Christmas with a cash or gift donation to the Christmas Cheer Appeal Visit napier.govt.nz to donate online.
MARCH 5-10
Horse of the Year Black Barn Amphitheatre 15 Napier Night Fiesta Clive Square, Napier 15-24 FAWC
APRIL 6
Tom Jones McLean Park, Napier
Your Council Mayor Kirsten Wise
Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan
Cr Chad Tareha
Cr Graeme Taylor
Cr Greg Mawson
Cr Hayley Browne
Taradale Ward
Taradale Ward
Nelson Park Ward
Ahuriri Ward
Onekawa-Tamatea Ward
Cr Juliet Greig
Cr Keith Price
Cr Maxine Boag
Nelson Park Ward
Ahuriri Ward
Nelson Park Ward
Cr Nigel Simpson Cr Richard McGrath Cr Ronda Chrystal Taradale Ward
Onekawa-Tamatea Ward
215 Hastings Street, Napier 4110, Private Bag 6010, Napier 4142 | t 06 835 7579 e info@napier.govt.nz napier.govt.nz | facebook.com/NapierCityCouncil
Taradale Ward
Cr Sally Crown Nelson Park Ward