Essentials
- City
- Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
- Population
- 66,800
- Internet Speed
- Fiber widespread: 100-900 Mbps typical speed
- Currency & Banking
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 1 NZD ≈ 0.61 USD, 1 USD ≈ 1.64 NZD
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, high quality municipal supply
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (angled three-pin plugs)
- SIM Card
- Spark, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), and 2degrees; available at Hawke's Bay Airport
- Banking for Expats
- ANZ, ASB, BNZ, and Westpac; Wise is highly recommended for low-fee NZD accounts
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Bookabach (local favorite), and TradeMe Property for longer rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; 'EFTPOS' is used for almost all transactions, even small amounts
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options in Art Deco buildings approx. $2,200 - $3,500 NZD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Napier正 (The正) Hostel or Stables Lodge Backpackers (approx. $40-$55 NZD/night for dorms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Napier City Centre (Art Deco Quarter) for walkability and architecture
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ahuriri (Trendy seaside suburb with cafes/bars) or Westshore for beach vibes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Lab (Ahuriri) - approx. $45 NZD day pass / $400 NZD monthly desk
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mister D (47 Tennyson St) - great vibes, reliable WiFi, excellent donuts
- Networking Events
- Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce events and 'Digital Hawke's Bay' meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Napier Expat Meetup (Facebook group) and Friday night drinks at the Filter Room
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (limited availability) or Napier Taxis (06-835-7777)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Napier City Bike Hire (Marine Parade) - approx. $45 NZD for a full day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ocean Beach (25 min drive) for surfing; Westshore Beach for swimming
- Top Regional Airline
- Air New Zealand (Connects to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch)
- Top International Airline
- Air New Zealand, Qantas (via connecting domestic hubs)
- Highway Access
- State Highway 2 (North to Gisborne, South to Wellington); State Highway 5 (West to Taupo)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Napier Bus Station (Dalton Street) for InterCity coaches
- Public Transport Passes
- Bee Card (Prepaid smart card for regional GoBay buses, $2 fares)
- Regional Travel
- InterCity bus to Wellington (5.5 hrs) or Taupo (2 hrs)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (Hastings - 15 mins away)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Zen Garden Yoga & Ayurveda (Ahuriri) - $20 NZD drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Ocean Spa (Gym and heated saltwater pools) - Marine Parade
- Laundry Services
- Liquid Self Service Laundromats (Taradale Road) - approx. $5 per wash
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Delivereasy (most popular local app) and UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Hawke's Bay Lamb or Fresh Green-Lipped Mussels from Ahuriri
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Chantal Shop & Cafe (100% vegetarian, great organic pantry items)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelato 2U on Marine Parade; Rush Munro’s Ice Cream (local legend)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pak'nSave (Napier City or Tamatea) for the best grocery prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Trademe.co.nz (The NZ eBay/Amazon equivalent), Mighty Ape
- Grocery Delivery
- Woolworths NZ (formerly Countdown) online shopping and delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- West Quay in Ahuriri (The Thirsty Whale, Shed 2)
- Local Brewery
- Rooster's Brewhouse or Brave Brewing (nearby Hastings)
- Wine Bars
- The Urban Winery (Ahuriri) - specializes in local Chardonnays
- Street Food Stalls
- Napier Night Market (Clive Square, summer Fridays)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Indigo (Indian/Asian fusion), Bistronomy (Modern NZ/European fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Art Deco City Centre tour and the Pania of the Reef statue
- Museums & Art Venues
- MTG Hawke's Bay (Museum, Theatre, Gallery) - free entry
- Historical Sites
- Napier Prison (Oldest prison in NZ, tours available)
- Religious Sites
- Waiapu Cathedral of St John the Evangelist
- Annual Events
- Art Deco Festival (February), Mission Estate Winery Concert
- Cultural Districts
- The Art Deco District and Ahuriri Port Heritage Area
- Theater Venues
- Municipal Theatre (One of the best Art Deco theaters in the Southern Hemisphere)
- Local Markets
- Napier Urban Farmers’ Market (Saturday mornings, Clive Square)
- Music Scene
- The Cabana (Legendary NZ music venue for live bands)
- Street Art
- Sea Walls: Turely for Oceans (numerous murals throughout the city and port)
- Cooking Classes
- Breckenridge Lodge (High-end culinary experiences/degustation)
- Art Galleries
- Tennyson Gallery, The Pencil Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Daily Telegraph Building, ASB Bank, and T&G Building
- Local Heritage
- Maori heritage focused on the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Te Mata Peak (25 min drive) for 360-degree views
- National Parks Nearby
- Te Urewera (Approx 2.5 hours north) - remote wilderness
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Water Ride (Flat coastal pathway perfect for lunch breaks)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Bluff Hill Lookout for views of the port and Hawke Bay
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ahuriri Estuary walking track
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted; permitted only in designated areas on private land or with permits
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- NZ Post Shop (Dickens St), CourierPost
- Tech Repair Services
- Service Plus (Authorized Apple and PC repairs)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Napier Table Tennis Club (Whitmore Park)
- Language Classes
- English Language Partners Hawke's Bay
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Napier Library / MTG Building (Quiet rooms with harbor views)
- Community Centers
- Napier Community House
- Gaming Lounges
- The Porthouse Bar & Eatery (contains some gaming/TAB facilities)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- SkyCity Auckland is the nearest full casino (5hr drive/1hr flight)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500/m² (e.g., 40 m² = $460,000 NZD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500/m² (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000/m² (e.g., 60 m² = $600,000 NZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,800/m² (e.g., 60 m² = $468,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $9,000/m² (e.g., 80 m² = $720,000 NZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,000/m² (e.g., 80 m² = $560,000 NZD)
- Corporate Tax
- 28%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 33% (Resident Withholding Tax)
- Tax System
- Taxation on worldwide income for residents; 4-year temporary tax exemption for new migrants
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39% (for income over $180,000 NZD)
- VAT
- GST of 15% (included in almost all displayed prices)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, comprehensive rules to prevent tax avoidance
- Property Tax
- Local Council Rates (based on land/capital value), approx. $3,000-$4,500/year
- Property Transaction Tax
- No Stamp Duty; Bright-line test applies (Capital gains tax if sold within 2 years)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- New residents may qualify for a 4-year exemption on most offshore income