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Today in Ahuriri
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Ahuriri is a thriving seaside suburb. Its rich history as one of the earliest settled areas of Napier makes it a fabulous area to explore with its distinctive architecture including stunning examples of Art Deco buildings.
The distinctive saw-tooth roof lines, buildings located right on the street boundary, the subdued colour scheme, and large scale are setting Ahuriri apart from other parts of Napier.
The growth of the area over recent years has been staggering with many new developments including new waterfront apartments, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy.
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Recent Developments...
The Factory Restaurant / Bar - 46 Bridge Street
Resource Consent was granted in late 2009 to establish a licensed bar/restaurant within the former Richardsons building at 46 Bridge Street Ahuriri. The facility, known as ‘The Factory’, is adjacent the Vetro Mediterranean food store & has a total floor area 121m2 plus an outdoor dining courtyard of 30m2. The restaurant specialises in pizza & pasta & is NZ’s first branded Peroni Italian Beer establishment. The redevelopment of the building will also create some 1000m2 of additional commercial office space situated over two levels of refurbished warehouse. The Factory opened in late 2010. This proposal is the latest phase in the ongoing redevelopment of the former British American Tobacco landholdings.
Restored Derrick In Inner Harbour
A derrick that once loaded and unloaded cargo in Napier’s Iron Pot has been returned to its original site as a sculptural landmark and a salute to the area’s maritime past. In a joint project undertaken by the Ahuriri Rotary Club and the Napier City Council, the derrick has been restored to its original glory - the mechanism repaired and its substantial structure sand blasted and painted anew. Several local businesses also donated time and funds towards the restoration, which was supported by the Ahuriri Business Association.
On May 4 2010, the crane was lifted onto new foundations constructed adjacent to the fuelling jetty and the berth where the Wine Country Cat ties up. Secured by cables,  this historic example of industrial architecture it is a poignant reminder of a time when this area was a busy port, serving Hawke’s Bay and the thriving settlement of Napier. The inner harbour was the region’s main port up until the 1931 earthquake. The upheaval raised the seabed and made the waterway too shallow for general shipping purposes. Services were subsequently relocated to the port of Napier, at the foot of Bluff Hill. While the mechanism on the restored derrick is in working order, it is kept locked for safety reasons. However, the crane will be put through its paces on special occasions.
Iron Pot Cycleway
The new addition to the cycleway, from the intersection of Bridge Street/Nelson Quay to opposite the Old Custom House on Custom Quay has been completed.The Cycleway has been constructed in concrete with a safety fence built on the seaward side. The width varies from 3.5m - 4.5m, giving a generous path for both walkers and cyclists to enjoy the views over the inner harbour.
Lollipops Educare centre - 27 Ossian Street
Lollipops childcare centre has opened in a brand new purpose built building within the Ex-BAT precinct. They operate from 7.30am until 5.30pm, catering for up to 110 children, from birth to five year olds.
Boardwalk Renovations 
A newly widened boardwalk has been completed in time to handle the extra traffic generated by Napier's busy holiday season.
The boardwalk, extending from the Hawke's Bay Sport Fishing Club to the Perfume Point car park, is 222 metres long and includes three viewing platforms facing the channel entrance to Napier's Inner Harbour. Built at a cost of $266,530, it replaces the former structure, which was wide enough only for walkers and had a limited lifespan, with boards needing replacing from time to time.
Both walkers and cyclists can now use the 4m-wide boardwalk. A new concrete path, 3.5 metres wide, has also been constructed to connect with the boardwalk as well as the existing boardwalk skirting the beachfront and Spriggs Park, which was completed in 2008. The boardwalk forms part of a network of cycling and walking routes that extend throughout the city.
Cafe Ahuriri – 16 Mahia St
Another addition to the redevelopment within the Ex-BAT precinct includes the new Cafe Ahuriri within the former Stevedor building. The Cafe has a floor area of 140m2, with a generous outdoor courtyard area of over 100m2.
BAT - British American Tobacco Site
Spanning several square kilometres, this expansive site was formerly the home of international company British American Tobacco. It has now been purchased by Big Save, who will redevelop it to incorporate a flagship furniture retail store, and as the base of their warehousing, administration and storage operations.
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