Art Deco Trust honours founder

The Napier Art Deco celebrations we enjoy today started with a simple idea 25 years ago, and at the front of its development was Mary Johnson.
Still a deco advocate, Mrs Johnson was honoured on Monday at a surprise morning tea with Art Deco Trust staff, volunteers and friends.
In 1985, she - with Robert McGregor and other Napier residents - organised a premier of the film Newest City.
Accompanied by a public walk and building tour, the event attracted 1100 people and enthused Mrs Johnson and the other Art Deco supporters to continue with their initiatives.
"Mary was incredibly good at monitoring what was happening in the city and finding ways of doing things better," Mr McGregor said.
"She initiated the Art Deco morning walks to cater for people who were short of time, which was incredibly successful, and still runs today."
Mary was instrumental in getting the World Congress on Art Deco to Napier in 1999.
"In 25 years the trust has grown tremendously in size," said general manager Sally Jackson.
"It now hosts Hawke's Bay largest summer event, caters for thousands of visitors throughout the year on Art Deco walks and tours, has a stunning shop in the heart of Napier, protects and encourages restoration and preservation of heritage buildings and in terms of financial economic benefit and brings in $23 million gross revenue into the Napier economy," she said.
"Mary's influence on the trust has resulted in these achievements being realised."