The Navy’s patrol vessel HMNZS HAWEA, three Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) aircraft, the Napier-based Army Reserve unit and the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy, are coming together to help Napier celebrate its Art Deco heritage 19-23 February.

The Royal New Zealand Navy continues its long tradition of participation in Art Deco activities, this year sending a warship with a local Napier man in command.

Other units of our Defence Force have also taken part in Art Deco since its inception, in recognition of the armed forces’ role in assisting the people of Hawkes Bay after the devastating 1931 earthquake.

This year:

• The Navy Band will play a number of concerts and march in the street parade.
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• HMNZS HAWEA’s company will march in Saturday’s parade.
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• The RNZAF aircraft will be on display at Napier airport, and fly demonstrations during the Art Deco weekend.
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• The Air Force’s new A109 helicopter will be on static display at the airport.
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• ‘East Coast Company’, the Napier-based unit of 5/7 Battalion, will march in the Saturday street parade.
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• All three armed services will be acknowledged during the ‘Salute to the Services’ at the Sound Shell on Saturday afternoon.
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In addition to the current Defence Force presence, the past history of the armed forces will be represented by enthusiasts displaying privately owned vintage and Warbird aircraft and an old Army searchlight—which will be demonstrated on two nights of the weekend.

Lieutenant Antony Norris, 28, attended Taradale High School before joining the Navy in 2005. He has been the Commanding Officer HMNZS HAWEA for just under three months, and will proudly bring his 55m Inshore Patrol Vessel and 30-strong ship’s company into the port of Napier for the weekend.

HAWEA is conducting a patrol in support of Ministry of Primary Industries around the upper North Island. After the Art Deco Weekend, the Patrol Vessel will conduct sea training before returning to Auckland.

The ever-popular Royal NZ Navy Band returns once again, providing entertainment and ceremony throughout Art Deco weekend. Its ‘Art Deco Extravaganza’ concert on Friday 21 February is a must-see event, after sell-out crowds in the previous two years. In addition the Band will be giving a concert for schools on that Friday morning.

The 30-piece band has recently returned from Waitangi, where it supported official ceremonial events on Waitangi Day. It is fresh from a performance with “Kiwi music royalty” Dame Malvina Major in Gisborne. As well, the Band has been giving school and community concerts and workshops in Opotiki and Ruatoria, as well as Gisborne.

The Band’s Art Deco ProgrammeFriday 21 February, 11am: Schools’ concert, Napier Municipal Theatre

1.30pm: Public concert, Municipal Theatre.
7pm: Sunset Ceremony at the Sound Shell, commemorating the beginning of this year’s WW1 anniversaries,.

Saturday 22 Feb, 12noon: Street Parade

Evening Concert and dance set at the Sound Shell.

Sunday 23 Feb, 1230: Veronica Bell parade and dedication

5pm: ‘Swing and a prayer’ Church service and concert, Cathedral