City Talks: Ka mate, Ka ora, Whiti te rā!
In-person Livestream event
Monday 1 September
Doors open from 5.30pm. Livestream starts at 6pm. Event ends at 8pm.
DCA Architects, 200 Market Street, Hastings
Ngāti Toa’s Vision for Building in Aotearoa. An evening of insight, aspiration, and architecture grounded in mana whenua leadership. This event is an in-person livestream event. Sponsored by Dulux.
Free – no booking required.
Sir Ian Athfield Memorial Lecture 2025
Heretaunga Hastings: Thursday 11 September
Joining us from Australia, the principal of award-winning practice Ian Moore Architects will share insights into adaptive reuse with 'The Past Needs a Future', an inspiring free lecture series. These lectures are free thanks to the support of Resene, GIB® and Colorsteel.
Book now.
Archi-Tour: Napier Women’s Rest (Art Deco Trust)
Ahuriri Napier: Sunday 14 September
11.00am – 12.00pm
Beautifully refurbished Women’s Rest building – now the stunning new home of the Art Deco Trust. Tour proudly supported by the Art Deco Trust, Ann Galloway Architects and Gisborne & Hawke's Bay Branch. Free but booking essential as numbers are limited.
Book now.
Archi-Tour: Customs Quay Apartments - Ahuriri
Ahuriri Napier: Sunday 14 September
12.15pm – 1.15pm
Customs Quay delivers a compelling urban experience through its seamless integration of public space and strong connections to the surrounding Ahuriri context.
Tour proudly supported by Mackersey Developments, RTA Studio and Gisborne & Hawke's Bay Branch.
Free but booking essential as numbers are limited.
Book now.
Archi-Tour: Foodeast-Haumako
Heretaunga Hastings: Sunday 21 September
1.00pm – 2.00pm
Foodeast – Haumako is a nationally significant food innovation hub that brings together industry, community, and culture in the heart of Heretaunga Hastings.
Tour proudly supported by Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, DCA Architects of Transformation and Gisborne & Hawke's Bay Branch.
Free but booking essential as numbers are limited.
Book now.
Archi-Tour: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu
Heretaunga Hastings: Sunday 21 September
2.15pm – 3.15pm
Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu stands as a living example of how architecture can honour the past, serve the present, and inspire the future. It is a place of learning, but also of identity, connection, and care.
Tour proudly supported by Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, DCA Architects of Transformation and Gisborne & Hawke's Bay Branch.
Free but booking essential as numbers are limited.
Book now.
Futuna Lecture Series Livestream: Francis Kéré
Tuesday 16 September
6:30pm
Duration: 1:15
Location: Livestream – HDT Architects, 1 Wright Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110
Cost: Free
Includes: Light drinks & nibbles
The Futuna Lecture Series is back for 2025, with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré confirmed as this year's speaker.
One of the world's most distinguished contemporary architects, Kéré is recognised for creating works that are often sustainable and collaborative in nature. His award-winning practice Kéré Architecture has a communal approach to design, with a commitment to sustainable and locally available resources. Livestream supported by HDT Architects.
Sketch & Sip!
Ahuriri, Napier: Wednesday 24 September
7-9:30pm
The Thirsty Whale Bar and Restaurant (Back Bar), Ahuriri, Napier
Unwind with Michele Jung as you sip, sketch, and celebrate local architecture. No experience needed, just bring your curiosity and enjoy a fun, creative night out! Tickets $20 plus GST and booking fees.
Book now.
Movie Night: A+W & Gisborne & Hawke's Bay Branch screenings of ‘City Dreamers’
Ahuriri Napier: Friday 26 September
Doors open: 5:30pm. Movie starts: 6:00pm
The Globe Theatre
Cost: Free
Includes: Light drinks & nibbles
‘City Dreamers’ follows four remarkable women whose ideas have shaped urban life for over 70 years, an uplifting look at how design impacts our communities today and into the future. All are welcome! Stay tuned for details.
Fotofest
September 19 – October 03
FOTOFEST Hawke's Bay is back for 2025 and celebrating our fourth year with more than 60 exhibitions from local, national and international photographers. Centred in the heart of Hastings city, exhibitions this year also take in both Havelock North village and Napier city. See fotofest.nz for details.
Art Deco Guided Walking Tours
Every day at 10am & 2.30pm
Location: Art Deco Centre, Memorial Square, Napier 5 Clive Square East, Napier South
Cost: $31
A tour of Napier’s Art Deco Highlights. Your tour will start at the Art Deco Centre for a viewing of the 1931 Earthquake film where you will hear of the devastation of the city and the stories of the people it left behind. Then you will embark on a 1-hour walk with a professionally trained Art Deco Trust guide.
Book here.
Stay tuned for more programme updates.
Sponsors
The 2025 Aotearoa Festival of Architecture is proudly supported by the following partners.