Napier helps NZ win top spot in travel vote

The photograph used by Telegraph Travel to underline Napier's Deco delights.

New Zealand has been voted the world's "best country" by one of the UK's leading travel sites and Napier is one of the 26 reasons why it gets the No1 nod.

"New Zealand - once again a winner" was how the headline with the Telegraph Travel site simply put it.

The Telegraph attracts more than 500,000 readers and viewers.

"New Zealand is a remote and geologically dynamic country bestowed with diverse, often unique landscapes and wildlife. It offers outdoor adventure galore, spliced with vibrant cultural and culinary experiences, enhanced by a welcoming attitude to visitors. This small country well deserves its reputation as one of the world's most rewarding travel destinations."

New Zealand finished No1 in a list of 20 countries and Napier was one of the reasons it made it there, the panel of travel experts who conducted the poll said.

Other regions getting the nod included Wellington, Middle Earth at Matamata, the railway experience of Taieri Gorge, bungy jumping at picturesque Queenstown, as well as the accessibility to native forests, cycle trails and the coastline.

Art Deco Trust general manager Sally Jackson said the result showed the value of a strong focus by Tourism New Zealand and Hawke's Bay Tourism in getting travel publication and tourism specialists to come here to experience what she said was something "clearly special".

"It gives us the chance to show them something very special, because what we have here is unique in the world."

The travel site declared the Art Deco of Napier to be among the world's very best.

"An Art Deco phoenix risen from the ashes," it stated.

"Earthquakes in New Zealand have caused much damage and heartache, but one good thing has come out of the seismic activity - the extraordinary Art Deco architecture of Napier, which has the highest concentration of the genre in the southern hemisphere.

"The town was largely rebuilt after a massive earthquake in 1931 - alongside Miami Beach it is now a must-visit for Art Deco devotees."

Mrs Jackson said the spin-offs from such accolades had grown through the years, with rising visitor numbers.

"With this weather we are now getting, it is starting to pick up now She said such accolades reflected on everyone across the board who worked to ensure the city looked at its best.