The old Post Office building in Hastings on the corner of Queen and Russell Streets, after the quake. Photo / Supplied
The old Post Office building in Hastings on the corner of Queen and Russell Streets, after the quake. Photo / Supplied
Ninety years after the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake, a number of events have been organised to commemorate the sombre anniversary.
On the morning of February 3, 1931, the Hawke's Bay region was rocked by a 7.8 magnitude quake that practically levelled the city of Napier and killed nearly 250 people.
On Wednesday, February 3, the Hastings District Council will hold a commemorative event at the Hastings City Centre near the Clock Tower starting at 10.30am.
Guest speaker Hamilton Logan will share his memories of that day at his family home at Pukekino in the Kereru area.
"I will be talking about how it was seen through the eyes of a 6-year-old; where I was, what the house was like and what it looked like afterwards, how we coped living in the country with no water."
He will also talk a little about the experiences of his father and grandfather, and said he looked forward to seeing young people at the occasion.
It has been 90 years since the Hawke's Bay region was rocked by the 1931 7.8 magnitude quake which practically levelled the city of Napier and killed close to 250 people. Photo / File
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said it would be an especially meaningful event this year.
"This year our memorial event will remember those who lost their lives, and will have a special focus on our region's survivors.
"The Hawke's Bay earthquake changed our community and our district significantly and we will always remember the hard work and resilience of so many people who helped rebuild our Hastings city that we are so proud of today."
Napier City Council will hold a remembrance service on Wednesday, at the HMS Veronica Sunbay Memorial near the Soundshell on Marine Pde.
The ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will be at 10.30am and will include an address by Napier mayor Kirsten Wise.
"The ceremony is an opportunity to honour the lives that were lost and to celebrate the resilience of those who rebuilt the city we know and love today."
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said memories of that fateful day were "more precious and important to remember" so future generations could understand the history of the event. Photo / File
Other speakers will include Commodore Mathew Williams, Maritime Component Commander, Royal New Zealand Navy; David Bamford, a family member of Lachlan Campbell, the commissioner of the rebuild; and New Zealand Red Cross branch president, Tracey Ferguson.
Proceedings will include a wreath laying ceremony and ringing of the Veronica Bell.
The ceremony will be held at the Napier War Memorial Centre if it rains.
The annual afternoon tea for survivors of the quake will be held on Sunday, February 7.
Wise said the survivors' afternoon tea paid tribute to all those who experienced the earthquake or helped in its aftermath.
"As time goes by, the memories of that day become even more precious and important to remember, for the sake of future generations knowing the history of our city."
The 21st iteration of the afternoon tea will be held at Napier Boys' High School from 2pm to 4pm, and will feature Project Prima Volta, a student guest speaker, and the Veronica Bell.
Earthquake survivors who have previously attended should have received their invitations before Christmas.
Anyone who has changed address, or who has not previously attended and would like to be invited can contact Anna Eady on 027 260 4159.
