Napier, New Zealand: A City Reborn After Devastating Earthquake
Story and Photography by Terry Check
The Great Gatsby is more than just a story. It is a lifestyle in Napier, New Zealand. On February 3, 1931, Napier was rocked by a massive earthquake that would change the town’s future forever. With a magnitude of 7.8, it remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in New Zealand’s history. The quake struck just before 11 a.m., causing widespread destruction and igniting fires that raged through the town. Buildings crumbled, roads were torn apart, and tragically, 256 people lost their lives.
But amidst this devastation, the citizens of Napier displayed remarkable resilience. They were determined to rebuild their home, and out of the ashes of the quake would arise a new vision for the town.
Art Deco: The Style of the Times
At the time of Napier’s devastation, Art Deco was a rising global architectural style. Born in the 1920s, this movement was characterized by its bold geometric patterns, stylized forms, and modern, streamlined designs. Unlike the more ornate and traditional Victorian and Edwardian styles that had previously dominated, Art Deco represented a forward-looking vision that embraced modernity and technological progress.
In the wake of the earthquake, architects, urban planners, and local authorities saw an opportunity. They could rebuild Napier not as it was, but as a modern, cutting-edge city that reflected the optimism of the time. Over the next few years, the city’s streets were reimagined with Art Deco buildings—complete with zigzags, sunbursts, and chevrons—imbuing Napier with a fresh, sleek aesthetic.
The decision to rebuild in the Art Deco style was not only about aesthetics. It was also practical. Reinforced concrete, a staple material of Art Deco construction, was far more resistant to earthquakes than traditional brick or stone. This made it a sensible choice for a town looking to future-proof itself against further natural disasters.
The Rebirth of Napier: A New Era of Style and Community
By 1933, just two years after the earthquake, Napier had largely been rebuilt. The transformation was remarkable. Streets that had been reduced to rubble were now lined with buildings that reflected the cutting-edge architectural trends of the day. Cinemas, hotels, stores, and even homes were designed in the bold, angular patterns of the Art Deco style, while the city’s new grid layout was designed to be both functional and beautiful.
What’s more, this transformation didn’t just end with the buildings. Napier’s residents embraced the Art Deco style in all aspects of their lives. From clothing to cars, the spirit of the 1930s was everywhere in the town. To this day, many Napier citizens continue to celebrate their town’s unique history by dressing in 1930s fashion, driving restored motorcars from the era, and hosting events that harken back to the golden age of Art Deco.
Masquerade Magazine Arrived on a Passenger Ship
As we disembarked the passenger ship, a 1932 four-door Packard approached, and the driver called our names while motioning us to come. Such a welcome was totally unexpected. The chauffeur, Tony, dressed in period clothes as though he was attending a wedding, took our baggage, and opened the back doors. After formal greetings, Tony, setting aside his fedora, narrated the story of Napier from the time of the earthquake to the Great Gatsby lifestyle of today. Passing through town enroute to the Art Deco Trust building, everything seemed surreal: with Miami Beach-style architecture, jazz musicians playing in the park bandstand, and many 1930’s automobiles looking more like a museum than Main Street. Well-dressed gentlemen sported suits, many with a vest, dress shirt, tie, and some with a hat.
Mirroring the celebrity trends of Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, and Marlene Die trich, the sophisticated ladies were styled in long, sometimes pleated dresses with shoulder pads and brimmed hats, always with their gloves. When evening arrived, the ladies were empowered with fitted gowns, flapper dresses, hairpieces, and tapered cigarettes in hand. Revelry filled the air with music, pubs were dispensing libations, and locals were dancing the Swing and outlandish Charleston. It was such a magical time.
Art Deco, with its sharp geometric designs, streamlined forms, and luxurious details, reflected the spirit of the age. It was a time of jazz, flapper dresses, sleek motorcars, and opulent parties—echoes of Gatsby’s world. As architects and planners redesigned Napier, they imbued the city with a sense of grandeur and elegance that mirrored the opulence and high-society style of Fitzgerald’s novel.
This time of year, the town’s people are bustling with preparations for the annual Art Deco Weekend, including The Great Gatsby performance by the Napier Repertory players. Taking a break from rehearsal, a few actors joined me for a fashion photo shoot reliving the past, or maybe it’s Jiving today, in Na pier. Without hesitation, Tony pulled the green Packard around and we all headed to our first stop, the National Tobacco Company, a true hallmark of Art Deco architecture inside and out. As the crew set up the lighting and reflectors, and actors adjusted their makeup and hair, scores of tourists watched as the production began.
“Lights, camera, action,” I sounded, and the glitzy glamour of The Great Gatsby unfolded, continuing to several other locations throughout the day. Come late afternoon, l announced, “It’s a wrap and let’s celebrate at the corner pub,” before we returned to the passenger ship for a 6:00 PM departure. Some people leave their hearts in San Francisco, but for the crew, we all left our hearts in Napier.
In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby famously declared, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” In Napier, this sentiment rings true. The town’s remarkable transformation after the earthquake of 1931 is a story of rebirth and reinvention that echoes Gatsby’s own quest to recreate a dream.
Art Deco Napier Today: A Living Time Capsule
Today, Napier is internationally recognized as a city where the past and present coexist in harmony. The decision to rebuild the town in the Art Deco style has given it a unique identity, one that draws tourists from around the globe who come to admire its architecture and immerse themselves in a bygone era.
The Art Deco Trust, established in 1985, has been instrumental in preserving Napier’s architectural heritage. They work tirelessly to maintain and restore the town’s buildings, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the craftsmanship and vision that went into their construction. Many of the original Art Deco structures remain standing today, lovingly preserved and still serving as vital parts of the town’s infrastructure.
The streets of Napier are lined with vibrant facades featuring zigzags, geometrical shapes, and decorative motifs. Buildings such as the Daily Telegraph Building and the National Tobacco Company are stunning examples of the creativity and optimism that marked the town’s rebirth. These buildings, with their clean lines and colorful patterns, are timeless reminders of the town’s resilience and forward-looking spirit.
Napier stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the Art Deco movement and the glamour of the Jazz Age. Like the world that Gatsby longed to inhabit, Napier is a place where the past is not only remembered but cherished. The town’s citizens, much like the guests at Gatsby’s extravagant parties, continue to embrace the style, optimism, and flair of the 1920s and 1930s, ensuring that the spirit of that era lives on.
Please meet our creative team: Kim Davey with brown eyes and hair; Lauren Marshall with blonde hair and blue eyes; Craig McKinnon, young gentlemen; Tony Mairs, chauffeur extraordinaire, and Vania Bailey, an amazing hair and makeup stylist. The period fashions were created by such designers as Coco Chanel, Madame Gres, and Elsa Schiaparelli.
For visitors to Napier, the city offers the chance to step into a world where “The Great Gatsby” isn’t just a story – it’s a way of life.
