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Story: Historic earthquakes

Roadside Stories: Hawke's Bay's big shake

New Zealand’s most devastating earthquake killed more than 250 and destroyed Napier and Hastings in February 1931. The 7.8-magnitude quake was followed by fires which gutted central Napier. The city was rebuilt in art deco style – now a major tourist drawcard.

Listen to a Roadside Story about the quake. Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.

Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number TCDR919 Tr 1).

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney. 'Historic earthquakes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 21-Feb-12
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/6/9