1931 Hawkes Bay Earthquake—Tragedy to Treasure A massive earthquake. 7.9 on the richter scale, ravaged the Hawke’s Bay region on 3rd February 1931 at 10.47am. This horrific natural disaster is still classed as the most tragic disaster in New Zealand. Centred 15km north of Napier, and lasted for two and a half minutes. The death toll included 161 people in Napier, 93 in Hastings, and 2 in Wairoa. Thousands more were injured, with over 400 hospitalised. Fires subsequently engulfed the stricken areas, leaving only a few recently built reinforced concrete buildings standing. Although its wooden housing stock was relatively undamaged, Napier/Hastings as functioning towns had ceased to exist. The fires began in chemist shops where gas jets were in close proximity to flammable liquids. One hour after the earthquake the fires were spreading rapidly. In Napier, the water supply was lost and there was little that firemen could do. In Hastings the water supply remained intact so the fires were contained. The Royal New Zealand Navy played a significant role in the aftermath of the quake. HMS Veronica was moored at West Quay and immediately assisted the stricken people of Napier. HMS Dunedin and HMS Diomede left Auckland with medical sup- Comparison map of the extent of Ahuriri plies and personnel at 3.00pm that day and arrived in Napier port at Lagoon before left and after right the 1931 8.30am on Wednesday. People afraid to enter their homes camped in Hawke's Bay earthquake their gardens, on the road-sides, in Nelson Park and on the Marine Parade Beach. Interestingly the Napier area tilted upwards, a maximum of 7 feet, just over 2 metres and 2230 hectares (5575 acres) were raised to sea level. Since then, apparently, the area has continued to creep up at the rate of 1cm per year, so that it is now 60cms (or two feet) above sea level. Aftershocks continued to shake Hawke's Bay frequently until July 1931, where the average aftershock occurrence dropped to less than one daily. Aftershocks continued for several years, with the last major jolt shaking the Bay in April 1934. The government quickly realised that the Napier borough council at the time would be overwhelmed with organising the rebuild and appointed two commissioners for this task, John Barton and Lachlan Bain Campbell. When the commissioners were due to leave in May 1933, they were petitioned to stay, and Barton was invited to stand for the mayoralty, which he declined. The earthquake prompted a thorough review of New Zealand building codes which were found to be totally inadequate. Many buildings built during the 1930s and 1940s are heavily reinforced, although more recent research has developed other strengthening techniques. Building regulations established as a result of this event mean to this day, there are only four buildings in Hawke's Bay taller than five storeys, most of the region's rebuilding took place in the 1930s at a time when Art Deco was very fashionable. Napier was almost rebuilt within two years of the disaster. The Napier Art Deco Trust was established in 1985 to promote and preserve what is now recognised as a world-class collection of Art Deco architecture. The annual highlight is the Art Deco Weekend held on the third weekend of February when the town turns back the clock and dresses in Art Deco’s finest. Vintage vehicles and planes, picnics and jazz concerts, parades and dancing in the street, good food and wine are some of more than 100 events that help celebrate Napier's unique heritage.
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