Culture and History
A big part of our history in Aotearoa is The Treaty of Waitangi or Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We, as a company, are committed to the principles of the treaty – Partnership, Protection and Participation.
Our Park, along with Aotearoa, has people from all different walks of life – we are multi-cultural and diverse. As a company, we are family run and our family is blended with cultures. Our staff also come from a variety of cultures, countries, religions and some speak different languages.
Napier Beach TOP 10 aim to be sensitive and responsive to all identities, cultures, religions, backgrounds and gender-diversity. To us, it is important that everyone is valued, treated equal and respected for they are. We encourage our staff, and guests, to follow this.
As a country, we have a broad range of cultures, religions and languages with no restrictions. We, as a park, feel that culture doesn’t just fall in the category of where people come from – it is who you are as a person, the things that have made you and that are important to you.
Here in Hawkes Bay, we have some deep history and culture that plays an important part of where we are as a region today.
We, as a region, are rich in Māori culture and mythology – starting formation of the region’s defining coastline. The story started that Māui, the most famous of the Māori gods, hauled up the North Island with a hook made from the jawbone of his grandmother. Māui’s hook was instantly transformed into the cape that forms the southernmost tip of Hawke Bay – known as Cape Kidnappers. You can still see its hooked shape when viewing from above, which is why Hawke’s Bay is sometimes referred to as ‘Te Matau a Māui’ – The Fishhook of Māui.
We have had natural disasters such as the deadly 1931 Hawkes Bay Earthquake and the unprecedented 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle. These disasters have helped cement a community bond that only very few regions will see in a lifetime.
We are well known for our heritage, culture and history in places and events which also include the likes of our famous wineries and Art Deco!
As a region, we have rich culture ties, deep history roots and are well equipped for tourism.
As a Park, we love to show this to our guests – this includes promoting local culture and heritage and celebrating Te Ao Māori. We are currently having our maps redone, having signage for the park created and have language posters around to help celebrate Te Ao Māori.
We can’t wait for you to explore our Park, Region, Heritage and Culture first hand!
