The Municipal Theatre was originally intended to be built at Clive Square, but public petitions caused it to be built upon its present site. Most of the buildings in the centre of Napier were built with brick but the lime and mortar mix that was used failed badly during the quake. The theatre was destroyed in the earthquake and re-built in 1938.

The first stone of the cathedral was laid in 1886 and was built following a traditional English design, being completed in 1888. Whilst communion was being held on the 3rd of February 1931 the building was completely destroyed, killing one person. For the next 25 years a temporary wooden cathedral was used until the present structure was completed in 1965 and now stands as a living memorial to those who rebuilt the city after the earthquake.