Napier Inner City Marketing

Known as the Art Deco Capital of the World, Napier has a distinctive architecture that draws visitors from around the globe. The city was rebuilt in the Art Deco style following the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake.

Businesses large and small are encouraged to think innovatively and achieve spectacular things. This winter’s Innovate Napier business breakfast series will feature Vaughn Davis.

NICM’s Vision

NICM is an incorporated society, managed by a voluntary executive board. It is a registered charity and is funded by Napier City Council’s inner city levy, as well as grants and donations.

The Art Deco Trust is a guardian, a storyteller and the interpreter of unique national treasures – the buildings of the 1930s. These were built from the rubble and ashes after Hawke’s Bay’s devastating earthquake of 1931. They had been unrecognised, undervalued and under threat for 50 years.

The new City Student Studio in Dalton Street will run over summer as a hub of research, projects and digital services for Napier CBD businesses. Three EIT students are offering a social media and website development advisory service, while another is working on an accountancy project for a not-for-profit organisation. The space will also be used by University of Waikato summer research scholarship students, who have been selected through a competitive process. NICM’s City Development Manager Paulina Wilhelm was the original instigator of the studio, having seen similar spaces in Victoria and Vancouver.

NICM’s Mission

Napier Inner City Marketing is a community-based organisation that is managed by a voluntary executive board and supported by grants and an annual inner city levy on commercial and residential property owners. Its broad long-term purpose is to provide the facilities, services, leadership and encouragement to make Napier the best place in New Zealand in which to live, work and raise a family.

Napier’s central business district is a shoppers delight with the city’s palm-lined streets and world class Art Deco architecture complemented by an eclectic mix of boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, takeaways and professional services. In addition, Napier’s other shopping precincts such as Ahuriri, Taradale and Havelock North are renowned for their variety of local products.

This Napier accommodation is situated within walking distance of several superb city restaurants and McLean Park. Its comfortable and well-appointed open plan living, with views to Marine Parade, is perfect for 2-4 guests. Its fully equipped kitchen is complete with a dishwasher and oven, making it an ideal holiday home base.

NICM’s Goals

Achieve a vibrant compact retail heart in Napier’s city centre.

NICM’s objectives are achieved through a combination of Council funding and a levy on inner city commercial properties. It is overseen by a voluntary executive board of 12 members representing the retail, office and hospitality sectors.

The City Student Studio is expected to be a hive of activity. EIT students are offering a social media and website development advisory service and an accountancy service for not-for-profit organisations. They will also use the studio for stakeholder meetings and other desk-based work.

Michael Williams is a Managing Director and co-president at Napier Park Global Capital and oversees platform operations, finance and technology. He was formerly Chief Operating Officer at Citi Capital Advisors (“CCA”) and previously Carlton Hill Global Capital LLC ("CHGC"), which Napier Park separated from in 2013. Prior to CCA, Michael was a Senior Middle Office Manager at Citigroup Alternative Investment’s CLO platform. He has over 25 years of credit and structured products experience.

NICM’s Values

The Retail Strategy provides Napier City Council, the local retail sector and potential retail investors a structure for considering resource consent applications for new retail developments within the City. It is intended to provide a broad policy reference point that remains fit for purpose over the next decade.

Amit Sanghani is a Managing Director and Product Specialist for the Credit Strategies team at Napier Park Global Capital. In this role, he is responsible for European CLO investment origination and marketing. Prior to joining Napier Park in 2021, he worked on structured finance products at Goldman Sachs, including European warehouses and CLOs and capitalized manager vehicles.

Jeff Traum is a Managing Director and General Counsel for Napier Park Global Capital, where he is responsible for legal matters, transaction management, designing and implementing product offerings and coordinating strategic initiatives. He was previously a Partner, Managing Director and Head of Product Management at Citigroup’s alternative investment arm, Citi Capital Advisors, until it separated from the firm in February 2013.