The city is on Napier Hill and the surrounding Heretaunga Plains at the southeastern edge of Hawke Bay , a large semi-circular bay that dominates the east coast of New Zealand 's North Island . The coastline of the city was substantially altered by a large earthquake in 1931 . The topography puts Napier in danger from a tsunami , as the centre of the commercial city is near sea level – should the sea ever crest Marine Parade the sea would run through to Ahuriri . Furthermore , by virtue of its pre 1931 existence , the bulk of Napier is susceptible to soil liquefaction , the risk classed as Very High for the main urban area excluding the hill
earthquake in 1931
1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake
Napier, New Zealand