Napier

Napier in Hawke’s Bay is a town stuck in the 1930’s, featuring beautifully restored Art Deco buildings after a massive earthquake in 1931.


Sport in Napier

Rugby Union, Cricket and Basketball are among the most popular sports to watch in Napier:

  • McLean Park is a sports ground in Napier used for both international Cricket and Rugby Union. The ground hosted matches at both the 1987 and 2011 Rugby World Cup’s, as well as hosting several All Blacks tests and is the home of Hawke’s Bay in the Mitre 10 Cup. All forms of international cricket have been hosted at the ground, with pool matches at the 1992 and 2015 Cricket World Cup played there. The ground is used by Central District/Central Stags for occasional Plunket Shield, Ford Trophy and Super Smash matches.
  • The basketball team, the Hawke’s Bay Hawks are based in the city and play their matches at the Pettigrew Green Arena.

Getting to Napier

Airport – Hawke’s Bay Airport is located just 6 kilometres north of Napier. The airport just has regular domestic flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The closest international airport’s are either Auckland or Wellington, which are both about a 4 to 5 hour drive from Napier.

A taxi or shuttle bus service will likely cost about $25 per journey.

Thinking of going to Napier? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.

Bus – InterCity has buses running from Napier (Clive Square Bus Stop) to most of the North Island, and indirectly to the South Island. 


Where to stay in Napier

Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Napier by clicking here.


Food & Drink in Napier

Use TripAdvisor to read other travellers reviews of bars and restaurants and find some great places to eat and drink in Napier by clicking here.


What to do in Napier

  • Marine Parade – This 3km stretch of seafront is a scenic bridge between Napier and the Pacific Ocean featuring an array of family friendly activities including gardens, mini golf, skate park and the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
  • Explore Hawke’s Bay – Take the time to explore the Hawke’s Bay area, famed for its wineries and landmarks including Cape KidnappersLake Waikaremoana and Te Mata Peak.

Last Updated on February 24, 2021 by Sports Tourist

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