Napier-Hastings
If it's your first time in Napier-Hastings, some things might be new to you, like the public transport system and finding your way around. This can be exciting but don't worry if you feel a little homesick. That's natural, especially in the first 12 months of living overseas.
One of the best things you can do to feel at home is to explore and experience your city. Then the things that are new become normal as you create a great life here.
Been in Napier-Hastings for a while? Scroll down and see if you've visited all the places and landmarks listed below!
Quick facts
Population
The cities of Napier and Hastings have a combined population of around 166,368 people(external link that opens in a new tab).
Fun fact
Locals call these cities the 'twin cities' because they're right next to each other. You'll also see their names written together quite often - like on this page!
Living in Napier-Hastings
Beautiful climate
Your New Zealand home has some of the best weather in the country. Napier-Hastings has a mild Mediterranean climate with an average of 20°-25°C in summer and 11°-15°C in winter. Frosts and snow are rare, but can happen.
It's a great place to live if you don't like being too hot or too cold. It's also less windy than most coastal areas in the country, so you can wear a hat without worrying it'll blow away!
Try to make the most of the weather and find ways to spend time outside and enjoy the fresh air. Is there a shaded area where you can study? Can you have a picnic in the park or on the beach, instead of eating inside? See if you have time to walk or cycle, rather than bus or drive.
Community focussed
Napier and Hastings are small cities if you look at their populations individually. Hastings has about 85,000 people and Napier about 63,000. They're both locally focussed, which means you'll see more small businesses than big chain stores. This might mean shopping hours are shorter than what you're used to, so try to call the store or check online to see if they're open.
Tip: Be prepared for restaurant and café staff to remember your name and what you usually order. So you might hear this, 'Hi Lea, the usual?', which means 'do you want what you usually order?'.
You're also likely to see people you know even if you're just doing your weekly grocery shop at the supermarket or farmers' market. Challenge yourself to say 'Kia ora, Hi!' and start a conversation. New Zealanders are friendly people and will be happy to chat most of the time.
Get useful information and important updates to make your life easier while you're living and studying in New Zealand.
Useful Napier-Hastings websites
Here are a few suggestions to help you have a great experience and a safe time in Napier-Hastings.
Studying in Hawke's Bay(external link that opens in a new tab): Find information on study, activities and support for students in Hawke's Bay.
Hawke's Bay NZ(external link that opens in a new tab): Find events, festivals, day walks and great places to eat.
Napier City Council(external link that opens in a new tab) and Hastings District Council(external link that opens in a new tab): Find out how local government works and important information to help you with daily life in Napier-Hastings. For example information on local parks, museums, libraries, recycling and the location of public toilets and other facilities. You can also follow these local councils on Facebook: Napier City Council on Facebook(external link that opens in a new tab) and Hastings District Council on Facebook(external link that opens in a new tab).
Travelling around Hawke's Bay(external link that opens in a new tab): Learn how to get around your new home and its surrounding suburbs on public transport. Find out which bus you need to catch and how to get a 'Bee card(external link that opens in a new tab)' for cheaper travel.
MTG Hawke's Bay (museum, theatre and gallery)(external link that opens in a new tab): Experience history and the future in action! Discover the stories of our indigenous peoples and early settlers with a focus on the Napier-Hastings area. See how the past shapes art and performance today.
Roadside Stories – Hawke's Bay Giant(external link that opens in a new tab): From a distance, Te Mata Peak looks like a "sleeping giant". Hear the legend of how this famous landmark was created. Then take the 25-30 minute trip out to Havelock North and see if you can see the giant too!
Hawke's Bay Memorial Hospital(external link that opens in a new tab): Also known as, Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. If there's a medical emergency and your life or someone else's is in danger, go to the local hospital or phone 111 (this emergency number gives you access to police, fire and ambulance services). If it's not urgent, make a doctor's appointment or visit the Hastings Health Centre Urgent Care(external link that opens in a new tab) or City Medical Napier(external link that opens in a new tab).
Civil Defence – Emergency Management Hawke's Bay(external link that opens in a new tab): New Zealand is a pretty safe place, but like anywhere in the world there is a chance a natural disaster could happen. This could be something like a flood, tsunami, earthquake. Civil Defence have information on how to prepare for a natural disaster and you can follow them on Facebook(external link that opens in a new tab) to keep up to date on what's happening. You might notice Napier has a lot of Art Deco buildings. There was a large earthquake in 1931 and homes and business were rebuilt in this style because it was popular at the time. Napier has even earned the nickname, 'Art Deco capital of the world'!
Trade Me - Rooms in Napier-Hastings(external link that opens in a new tab): If you're not staying in a university hall of residence or a homestay, you might need to find a room to rent. You can try Trade Me to find a place to live. Make sure to check how far your new home is from important places, like your place of study or job (if you're working part-time).
Vetro Napier - Mediterranean Foods(external link that opens in a new tab): If you're looking for special ingredients to make your favourite food from home, try Vetro. They import food from the Mediterranean, Central America region and Asia.
Hapī – Food(external link that opens in a new tab): Raw, vegan and paleo friendly food. Buy online or visit their takeaway store in central Napier. You can also follow them on Facebook(external link that opens in a new tab).
Explore the harbour by paddleboard(external link that opens in a new tab): New Zealand has 15,000 kilometres of coastline and paddleboarding is a great way to get out and explore a small part of it. Never tried paddleboarding? The weather conditions in Napier make the harbour a safe place to learn the basics. If you already have some skills and you're confident in the water, try one of the local beaches. Remember to keep yourself and others safe. Always check the weather forecast, never paddleboard alone and only try this if you can swim. Can't swim? Local swimming pools often run lessons you can take part in.