Hawke's Bay, New Zealand’s oldest winemaking region may well produce some of the world’s most relished wines, but its attributes extend well beyond viticulture. Its main cities, Napier and Hastings, are also revered for their Art Deco facades and fiercely proud Maori heritage. In 1931, Napier and Hastings were reduced to rubble by a massive earthquake. With Herculean effort, the city of Napier was entirely rebuilt within two years in Art Deco style incorporating Maori motifs. These days the cities’ eye-catching architecture is celebrated as a symbol of the communities’ ability to overcome disaster. Hawke's Bay, on the North Island’s southeast coast, spans 350km of Pacific Ocean coastline. It encompasses several diverse areas, including northern Hawke's Bay, Hastings, Havelock North, Napier and Central Hawke's Bay. A Mediterranean-like climate gives rise to the region’s reputation for being the "food bowl" of New Zealand. Here, you will find no shortage of farmers' markets, specialty food shops and fantastic restaurants whose menus draw on the region’s prolific local produce. Outdoor adventurers will thrill to Hawke's Bay’s whitewater rafting, off-roading and trekking, while kids will love splashing on the beaches and getting lost in the Amazing Maze in Maize. Meanwhile, the lush Mohaka Valley will soothe the senses of those in search of a peaceful idyll. Gourmets, wine lovers, extreme adventurers, sun worshippers, families and professionals alike will find enormous gratification in the hidden paradise of Hawke's Bay.