Earthquake memorial to be held a day earlier in Napier

The Veronica Sunbay was named for the HMS Veronica, whose officers and crew offered immediate assistance following the 1931 earthquake on February 3. Photo / Supplied

A memorial service for the 94th anniversary of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake will be held in Napier a day earlier this year so more people can attend.

The event has been incorporated into Waiapu Cathedral’s 10am Sunday service, on February 2, with Napier MP Katie Nimon speaking about the personal impact on her family.

The 7.8 magnitude quake struck on February 3, 1931 at 10.47am and lasted for two and a half minutes, followed by aftershocks. Two hundred and fifty-six people died, hundreds more were hospitalised and thousands injured. Much of the centres of Hastings and Napier were destroyed.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says the central city rebuild following the earthquake reminds locals and visitors of the community’s resilience and contribution to what makes Napier a visitor destination and a place locals are proud to call their home.

“People worked hard to rebuild Napier but also found ways to acknowledge what happened on February 3, 1931.

“Reminders of the Napier community’s resilience and spirit following the earthquake are visible in today’s central city and include many of our most-loved landmarks.”

Nimon said the Napier Earthquake had always been a big part of her family’s history.

“My grandmother was in the womb at the time, to be born around seven months later,” Nimon said.

“My great-aunt was being looked after at home on Bluff Hill, as she was about 3 years old at the time.

“My great-grandfather and grandmother, Trevor, and Myra Geddis, were apparently out playing tennis. As the earthquake happened, their home was falling off the edge of the hill, as Aunty Marie was being carried out the front door.

“They moved shortly after into 1 France Rd, and inevitably took in friends and family as so many did.

The aftermath of the 1931 Napier earthquake at the Masonic Hotel. Photo / NZME

“I understand that my relative opened a school from her house also, as so many people rallied. There is fantastic history written in so many books and publications, but as my great-grandfather Trevor owned the Napier Daily Telegraph, a lot of it was documented in the papers of course,” Nimon said.

“I learned a lot about that time through stories from my great aunt, who is sadly no longer with us. It’s a history I’m proud of.”

The Veronica Sunbay was named for the HMS Veronica, whose officers and crew offered immediate assistance following the quake.

Wise said the ship’s bell was presented to the city in remembrance of that assistance.

“We still use it at important moments, including during the earthquake service. The memorial is an opportunity for us to pause and reflect on the actions of those who have gone before us.”

Hastings District Council’s anniversary event will share stories of how the event reshaped Hastings.

Wreaths will be laid at the clock tower in memory of the lives lost in the earthquake.

The service starts at 10.30am on February 3, with the clock tower bells ringing at 10.47am.

The special ceremony is open to the general public and held at the Hastings City Centre Mall to remember the day that changed lives in Hastings and wider Hawke’s Bay, and to celebrate the city and community.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.