Things to do in Napier
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Café Ujazi
Ujazi folds back its windows and lets the alternative vibe spill out onto the street. The superb coffee, substantial breakfasts and sparkly staff are a great hangover remedy. Try the rewana special – a big breakfast on traditional Maori bread.
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Cabana Bar
This legendary music venue of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s died in 1997, but thanks to some forward-thinking, toe-tapping folk, it’s risen from the grave. Visit its website (www.cabana.net.nz) to see who’s on, then get down there and shake your thang.
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Kilim Café
Authentic Turkish cuisine in a rather smart cafe environment, adorned with suitably Ottoman cushions and wall hangings. Kebabs, felafel, hummus, dolmas, pide and meze – all fresh and every one tasty. Eat in or take away.
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Ocean Spa
A spiffy waterfront pool complex that includes a beauty spa, gym and cafe.
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Marineland
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Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery
The Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery is a repository for a wide range of interesting collections and showcases these in permanent displays of Maori artefacts and a fascinating 1931 earthquake memorial gallery (do watch the deeply moving film). There are also excellent locally curated exhibitions and touring shows. It closed from late 2010 for major redevelopment, set to re-open in 2013; revamp plans look exciting.
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National Tobacco Company Building
The National Tobacco Company Building is arguably the region’s deco masterpiece and is located a short ride from the city centre in Ahuriri. Built in 1933, it combines art-deco forms with the natural motifs of art nouveau. Roses, raupo (bulrushes) and grapevines frame the elegantly curved entrance. During business hours it’s possible to pull on the leaf-shaped brass door handles and enter the first two rooms.
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Harstons
The place for live music and DJs. Housed in a former piano showroom which has converted surprisingly well into a music venue (good acoustics, nice dance floor), Harstons brings national and occasionally international artists to town to entertain the late-nighters. A great attempt at big-city sophistication in a city that quite possibly doesn’t appreciate it.
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National Aquarium of New Zealand
The National Aquarium of New Zealand is a modern complex with a stingray-inspired roof. Inside are a crocodile, piranhas, turtles, eels, kiwi, tuatara and a whole lotta fish. ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours (adult/child $31/16) leave at 9am and 1pm and qualified divers can swim with sharks (dive $68, gear hire $36).
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Taste
They haven't quite nailed the décor – it's too brightly lit to be bohemian and too grungy to be chic – but once you're sitting on the balcony admiring the streetscape the interior becomes irrelevant. Both the menu and cocktail list are flavoursome enough to get your tastebuds buzzing.
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Provedore
A chic little number, from the deco facade in. Partake in some of the best food in Napier, from tapas, to mains, dessert and cheese. With a clutch of good NZ beers and fine wines, Provedore lures the sophisticated barfly, too.
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Sk8 Zone
Skaters should head to Sk8 Zone, where there’s an outdoor and indoor skating rink complete with ramps. If you fancy a spin along Marine Pde they also hire rollerblades (adult/child $10/8).
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Nga Taonga a Maui Gallery
Nga Taonga a Maui Gallery has a wonderful collection of Maori art for sale including wooden carvings, contemporary glass sculptures and traditional feather cloaks (around $1900).
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Groove Kitchen Espresso
A fitting name for one of Napier’s newer eateries. The sophisticated cafe fare, understated decor and cool tunes give it the X-factor. There’s occasional late-night grooving to be had here, too.
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Mountain Valley
Sixty kilometres north of Napier on SH5 is Mountain Valley, which offers horse trekking, white-water rafting and kayaking ($25 to $150). There’s also accommodation on-site.
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Hep Set Mooch
A good place if you like a marina view, supersize brunch, fresh baking and good coffee. Not so good if you have an aversion to bright yellow and green walls and dubious artwork.
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Wok U Want
Stack your bowl with vegetables, noodles, sauces and your choice of chicken, beef, pork or tofu and watch the chef sizzle it up for you. It's cheap and incredibly filling.
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Restaurant Indonesia
Crammed with Indonesian curios, this intimate space oozes authenticity. Lip-smacking Indo-Dutch rijsttafel smorgasbords are the house speciality (14 dishes, $35).
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Westshore Fish Café
If you’re the type who needs cutlery, proper sit-down meals are served here. Otherwise grab some of the acclaimed fish and chips and contend with the gulls on the beach.
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Deco Affair Tours
Trip the light fantastic in a cherry-red 1934 Buick with Deco Affair Tours hosted by the endearingly eccentric Bertie, clad in full period regalia.
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Napier Prison Tours
If you fancy going to jail, Napier Prison Tours offers fascinating self-guided audio tours (9am to 9pm) and hosted tours (9.30am and 3pm).
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Kiwi Adventure Co
See if you’re any closer to challenging Spiderman on the climbing wall at Kiwi Adventure Co. It also organises caving and kayaking trips.
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Latitude Live
A slice of the Wild West in the tame east, this L-shaped bar regularly rocks out. The sham cowboy exterior is betrayed by elegant leadlight domes inside.
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Rosie O’Grady’s
Part of the Masonic megaplex, Rosie’s predictable Irishness fills in the gaps between dimly lit corners, pints of Guinness and intermittent live music.
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Ziggzagg
Looking out on pretty Clive Sq, this sunny, gay-friendly corner café has an appetising selection of fresh counter food and cooked breakfasts.
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