Napier Hill (Mataruahou in Māori) is the limestone outcrop that rises above the central city and once formed the pre-earthquake heart of Napier. The residential streets that wind up the hill contain many of the city's oldest surviving buildings — Victorian and Edwardian houses that predate the 1931 earthquake and give a sense of what Napier looked like before it was remade. Wandering these streets is a pleasant contrast to the Art Deco centre below.
The summit offers panoramic views over the port, the Art Deco city, and out across Hawke Bay towards Cape Kidnappers on clear days. The walk up from the centre takes about 20 minutes. There are several lookout points; the one near the old water tower at the top gives the best vista.