Jeremy Smith, Napier Art Deco Trust’s heritage manager says the organisation has helped drive a renaissance of interest in the city’s unique architectural history, culminating in a number of very popular events, enjoyed by thousands of visitors to the region annually.
He’s been in his role for five years and says the origin of the Trust, which was constituted in 1985, stems back to a group of citizens, concerned at the potential demolishing of many art-deco styled buildings that were constructed following Napier’s devastating earthquake of 1931.
“Generations in the city had grown up with these forms and hardly noticed just how unique they were to a golden era in architecture, popular from the 1920’s to the 40’s,”
“For decades no-one really noticed these wonderful buildings,” Jeremy says.
The Napier CBD has one of the most intact collections of art-deco buildings in the world and the Trust has worked hard to secure their future glory.
Central to the Trust’s ongoing work is the Napier Art Deco Festival, which celebrates the town’s unique character. Held over 4-days in February each year, the festival now draws thousands of visitors from New Zealand and around the world.
Embracing vintage cars, fashion and sensibilities of the era, the festival and associated events, such as walking tours, are a source of pride for locals.
One major focus of the Trust in recent years has been the restoration of the city’s Women’s Rest, a WW1 memorial, erected opposite the cenotaph, in Memorial Square, to commemorate the sacrifices made by those in the district who served in the war.
The Rest was designed by renowned New Zealand architect J A Louis Hay, who designed many new Art Deco buildings in Napier following the earthquake that had destroyed much of the town.
“We like to think that while the cenotaph is a memorial to those who fell during WW1, the Women’s Rest is a memorial to the living.”
Officially opened on ANZAC Day 1926 following the 1931 earthquake, temporary shops and offices were built around the Rest, with short term repairs made to the building itself.
Hay’s design approach was influenced by the work of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie Style, elements still visible in the building despite changes that were subsequently made.
Originally designed in the shape of a crucifix, the building has a low profile, deep verandahs, bands of horizontal windows, a tiled roof and is constructed of solid brick.
When seismic issues became evident, the Women’s Rest was closed in 2013, providing the opportunity and challenge for the Trust and its supporters to work on raising the necessary funds for a major restoration and eventual re-opening.
“We started the conversation in 2022. It stemmed from talk within the Trust about sustainability and our role in advocating for the restoration of key buildings. Since the Women’s Rest had closed, it sat basically empty, so we approached Council suggesting we partner with them and begin fundraising and thinking about how the restoration would happen.”
Fortunately, some funding had been set aside by Council, giving impetus for the Trust to apply for grants to secure the project on the Category 1 Heritage Building owned by Council.
“Work started in August 2024 and was completed by July 2025. The Trust moved in toward the end of July.”
Part of the project involved demolishing additions made to the original building in the 1980’s which, Jeremy says, never sat well with the original design.
“The way the restoration has happened is that we’ve essentially allowed the building to tell its own story.
“A couple of pieces of the original coloured plaster have been left intact, along with the footings for walls demolished in the 1950’s.”
As the anchor tenant, The Art Deco Trust, conducts its activities from the (former) Women’s Rest.
“We’ve also been hosting a variety of community groups, AGMs, and networking events. Every day I receive enquiries from individuals and groups wishing to hire the two halls; it’s very exciting to see it come to life.”
And there’s much to look forward to, Jeremy says. In particular Historic Places Aotearoa and ICOMOS NZ – the International Council on Monuments and Sites – will be using the (former) Women’s Rest for their joint conference and AGMs in early October.
“We’re also currently planning our next big Art Deco Festival for February 2026. It’s always a wonderful event and celebration of what makes Napier so special.”
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