Hastings post office after the 1931 earthquake.
In 1931, an earthquake devasted Napier and the surrounding Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand's north island, killing 258 people. Centred 15 km north of Napier, it lasted for two and a half minutes and measured about 7.8 on the Richter scale. There were 525 aftershocks recorded in the following two weeks. The main shock could be felt in much of the lower half of New Zealand's North Island.
Much of the town was re-built in the few years following the earthquake. Because the Art-Deco movement was a strong force in architecture and design at the time, many of Napier's houses and commercial buildings were re-built in this style.
Here is some of the present day architecture in Napier:
Last two photos in post: Napier's central square and bandshell.
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