Hope for quake family

The weekend's celebrations were a sign of hope for the Munro family, who relocated to Napier recently from quake-stricken Christchurch.

The family of six - Dwayne and Jenny with their four children Brandyn, 9, Caleb, 7, Locky, 5, and Eva, 3 - moved to the Art Deco capital after the February 22 earthquake left Dwayne unemployed.

"We have been up and down here for the last year because Dwayne worked up here," Mrs Munro said. "He was very lucky to get another job."

The job, at Bakers Delight, meant months of commuting before the big move.

But taking part in their first Art Deco festival not only helped them settle into the city but assured them of the future of their former home. "As people who have just moved here, it gives us a lot of hope."

"Look at what happened here in the 1930s [the 7.8-magnitude earthquake] and this here now shows all that they have achieved - and what could be in store for Christchurch when they get it back together again.

"The atmosphere here is amazing, the people are so friendly and proud of Napier itself and what they have achieved - and they have a right to be.

"It is just wonderful how everyone has come together for this, it is just amazing really."

The children have settled in at Napier Central School, where they had their own Deco day on Friday.

"We had a picnic and a parade," Brandyn said. "I dressed as an olden-days kind of rich person."

Mr Munro said the family planned to see as much of the Art Deco celebrations as possible, with the car parade being a highlight.