Napier

Wool port on Hawke's Bay, on the east coast of North Island, New Zealand, 260 km/162 mi northeast of Wellington; population (2001 est) 53,700. It is the commercial centre of a large pastoral and mixed farming area, and is New Zealand's leading centre for trade in wool. As well as food processing, industries include woollen mills and the manufacture of fertilizers and tobacco products. The harbour, Port Ahuriri, is protected by a breakwater. Exports also include meat, pelts, fruit, and fish.

Napier was founded in 1856, and named after the British general Charles Napier. It was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1931, but was rebuilt and became a city in 1950.

Features of interest in Napier include the Hawke's Bay Museum and Marineland (1965), a marine wildlife centre.