Word from Mayor Kirsten Wise

Published: 25 September 2024

Last Updated: 30 September 2024

Kia ora koutou.

Commemorating our 150th during 2024 has given us a wonderful reason to reflect on our history and think about how people, places and key moments in our past impact our present. It’s given us time to reflect and acknowledge our city's rich heritage, resilience and bright future ahead.

A big part of what makes Napier special to visitors and locals is its beauty, not just natural features but also its built environment. Our city is full of places and spaces that are iconic, welcoming, versatile and memorable. These are all
things we want to see as part of our city’s future too.

We’re currently planning for a significant community hub for the heart of Napier. As we do so we look at the foresight and courage of those who built the city, and rebuilt it! Their goal was to create attractive, useful spaces where people could connect, work and socialise. These ideas are all as relevant today as they ever were, and I’m sure that need for connection will continue to be essential for our future generations also.

Another example is the community rooms in Memorial Square. This is a building that has had a past life and is now being brought back to its former design. Its purpose is being considered too, how to stay true to its heritage while creating a useful building for contemporary and future communities.

The infrastructure works we need to do on and around Emerson also give us an opportunity to think about how to preserve what’s special about the street while making it safer, more accessible and more welcoming for all users.

Celebrating 150 isn’t just about throwing a party, it’s also about looking back at how far we’ve come and imagining how much more is possible for our beautiful city by the sea.

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