Last updated May 2026
The Napier War Memorial Centre is the city’s purpose-built conference, events and memorial facility on Marine Parade — opened in 1957 as a memorial to local residents who died in WWII, substantially redeveloped in 2017, and now Hawke’s Bay’s only purpose-built conference facility. The substantial Marine Parade waterfront location offers panoramic Pacific Ocean views, and the substantial complex carries the Napier rolls of honour for both world wars in its dedicated memorial bay.
Practical Information
| Address | Marine Parade, Napier — central waterfront location |
| Operator | Napier Conferences & Events (Napier City Council owned) |
| Type | Purpose-built conference, events and memorial centre |
| Capacity | Multiple rooms in combination or alone; flexible from small meetings to large conferences |
| Features | Fully air-conditioned, ocean views, modern audio-visual |
| Use | Conferences, weddings, trade shows, exhibitions, performances, community events |
| Memorial bay | WWI and WWII rolls of honour for Napier residents who died in the two wars |
| Public access | During events; memorial bay accessible by arrangement |
About the War Memorial Centre
The Napier War Memorial Centre was opened on Marine Parade on 14 July 1957 — designed by local architect Guy Natusch in the stylish post-war modernist style of the era. The original building combined a conference hall, restaurant and aquarium with a dedicated memorial bay displaying a roll of honour for the 300 former residents of Napier Borough who died in the Second World War. A First World War roll of honour was added in 1995 — the town’s original WWI roll having been destroyed in the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake.
The centre was substantially redeveloped and reopened in 2017, giving it modern conference and events facilities while maintaining the memorial heritage. The redevelopment kept the original Guy Natusch architectural character while updating air conditioning, technology and conference room layouts.
Conferences and Events
The centre is operated by Napier Conferences & Events on behalf of Napier City Council, and is Hawke’s Bay’s only purpose-built conference facility. The waterfront location and Pacific Ocean views make it a popular venue for:
- Business conferences and AGMs — Hawke’s Bay’s premier conference location
- Weddings — waterfront ceremonies and receptions
- Trade shows and exhibitions — multiple flexible rooms
- Dinners and gala events — banquet capacity
- Community events, performances and meetings
Multiple rooms can be hired in combination or individually, depending on event size. The full complex can accommodate large conferences; smaller rooms suit board meetings and workshops.
The Memorial Bay
The dedicated memorial bay carries the Napier rolls of honour — listing the names of local residents who died in WWI and WWII. The WWII roll lists 300 names; the WWI roll was rebuilt and dedicated in 1995. The bay is open during events and accessible at other times by arrangement through Napier Conferences & Events or the council. Annual ANZAC Day commemorations are held at the centre.
What Visitors Often Say
Reviewers and conference attendees consistently describe the War Memorial Centre as Hawke’s Bay’s most polished conference and events venue — the substantial Marine Parade waterfront location with Pacific Ocean views, the air-conditioned modern facilities post the 2017 redevelopment, and the substantial heritage memorial bay carrying the Napier WWI and WWII rolls of honour get specific mention.
The most common practical note: the centre is primarily an events venue rather than a general visitor attraction — the memorial bay is open during events and accessible at other times by arrangement. ANZAC Day commemorations are held here annually. For conference bookings, contact Napier Conferences & Events directly.
Where to Learn More
Napier City Council — War Memorial Centre — council facility page covering ownership, history and current operations.
Napier Conferences & Events — operator’s site with venue hire, room layouts and booking enquiries.
NZ History — Napier War Memorial Conference Centre — Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage memorial register entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Napier War Memorial Centre?
Marine Parade, central Napier — on the waterfront with Pacific Ocean views.
When was the Napier War Memorial Centre opened?
14 July 1957, as a memorial to Napier residents who died in WWII. The WWI roll was added in 1995. The centre was substantially redeveloped in 2017.
Who designed the Napier War Memorial Centre?
Local architect Guy Natusch, in the post-war modernist style of the era. The 2017 redevelopment kept the original architectural character.
Can I visit the memorial bay at Napier War Memorial Centre?
Yes — the memorial bay is open during events and accessible at other times by arrangement with Napier Conferences & Events or the council.
Can I hire the Napier War Memorial Centre for events?
Yes — multiple rooms available in combination or alone. Suitable for conferences, weddings, trade shows, performances and community events. Bookings via Napier Conferences & Events.
Is Napier War Memorial Centre Hawke’s Bay’s only purpose-built conference facility?
Yes — Napier Conferences & Events describes it as Hawke’s Bay’s only purpose-built conference facility.
Are ANZAC Day commemorations held at the centre?
Yes — annual ANZAC Day commemorations are held at the War Memorial Centre.
For more Napier heritage sites, see the historical and cultural sites hub. The nearby MTG Hawke’s Bay covers the wider regional history including the 1931 earthquake.
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