Early Settler arrives in Napier

Early Settler arrives in Hawke’s Bay and a much-loved Napier landmark begins a new chapter.

With now 16 stores in New Zealand, Early Settler is known for pieces that fit seamlessly into everyday life. Their vision is simple – to design and curate furniture and homewares that help you create a home that is as beautiful as it is functional. Opening two Hawke’s Bay stores back to back, rather than one, is a genuine commitment to the region: bringing the range closer to local homes and adding retail jobs to the area.

“Hawke’s Bay has been on our list for a long time, so opening not one but two stores here within a week of each other feels really special,” says Carly Robertson, General Manager of New Zealand. “We wanted to make a genuine commitment to the region – bringing our pieces closer to local homes and creating jobs here at the same time. We can’t wait to become part of everyday life in the Bay.”

A familiar building, a new story: For many in Napier, the new store will feel familiar. It sits in one of the city’s landmark buildings – the former home of Madisons, a name plenty of locals still remember with real fondness. Rather than simply opening another door, Early Settler sees the move as a warm new chapter for a building that holds a lot of memories.

That connection runs deeper still. For the launch of the new store, Early Settler worked with local florist Nectar Collective, owned by the daughter of Madison’s former owner, Katie Wallace. Before opening Nectar, she was the in-store florist at Madisons – so reconnecting with the building, links the spaces past and present through someone who knows it best.

“There’s something quite moving about stepping into a building that means so much to so many people in Napier,” Robertson adds. “We didn’t want to simply open another door — we wanted to honour the memories this space holds. Working in partnership with Kate Kiriona (Bensons Properties) and Nectar Collective, whose story is woven right through these walls, makes it feel less like an opening and more like a homecoming.”

About Early Settler
Early Settler is a furniture and homewares brand founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1985,
with more than 54 stores across Australia and now 16 stores in New Zealand. Grounded in a
genuine love of home, Early Settler offers timeless, comforting pieces designed to fit
seamlessly into everyday life.