Founded in 1863 to provide recreation, meals, and lodging for members, the first clubhouse opened in 1868.

The clubhouse was replaced by this Walter Finch-designed building in 1906 which survived the 1931 earthquake largely unscathed.

The Hawke's Bay Club, Napier, built in 1906, is Napier's oldest men's club, and the most significant timber building still serving its original function in the commercial area of Napier.

The Hawke's Bay Club was founded in August 1863 as an exclusive residential men's club. Its founding members included provincial representatives, members of the Legislative Council, military personnel, wealthy landowners and other influential members of Hawke's Bay society. These included George (later Sir George) Stoddart Whitmore (1829-1903), John Nathaniel Wilson, Robert Stokes (1810-1880), Donald Gollan (1811-1887) and William R. Russell (1838-1913), Donald (later Sir Donald) McLean (1820-1877), J. D. Ormond (1832-1917), Colonel J. L. Herrick (1833-1890), and Colonel Charles Lambert (1809-1882).

In 1868 the club built premises on the corner site of Marine Parade, Byron Street and Browning Street, and was officially opened on 14 October 1868. This site was originally a Provincial Council reserve and was later deeded to a club trustee. Very little is known about the first clubhouse. It is known that in 1876 a decision was made to expand the clubhouse to provide more sleeping accommodation. In 1888 the billiard room was rebuilt to the designs of T. R. Cooper to accommodate an extra table. This latter addition was incorporated into the present clubhouse built in 1906.

In 1904 expressions of interest were called for to design a new clubhouse on the existing site. The design was not to exceed £4000 and the architect whose design was to be accepted was to receive £50. A design by local architect W. P. Finch was eventually accepted, and the building was constructed in 1906 by J.H. Fairhurst of Dannevirke. The new clubhouse was reminiscent of a large residence, had a splendid interior with an imposing foyer and staircase. Fine timber panelled ceilings and walls were a feature of the larger rooms.

The clubhouse was a place where members could stay during their visits to Napier. Activities included the tennis (the courts were sold in 1950), bowls, snooker, and billiards. The club was also used by members as a place to host formal dinners. Over the years the club has received a number of royal guests including the Prince of Wales in 1920, the Duke of York (later King George VI) in 1927, and the Duke of Gloucester, as well as a number of New Zealand Governor-Generals. During the early years of the club the presence of women and children on the club grounds was frowned upon. Occasionally women were allowed to play croquet on the club lawn, or on very rare occasions allowed inside for a ball. It was not until the 1950s that women were allowed to dine in the club, however they had to enter the building through a specially constructed door from a card room to the verandah. In more recent years the rules allowing women to enter the club have become more relaxed and members' wives or partners have access to the club except for designated areas.

Female membership has been discussed at the Club since its inception and has not been instigated as it was always felt that the time was not right.  However, in 2022 it was moved at the A.G.M. that the subject of female membership be addressed by the committee over the ensuing months. This was agreed to and so the process began.  Female membership was finally approved in October 2022 and recruitment commenced.

The Hawke's Bay Club has also contributed to the community. It participated in a number of charitable activities particularly during World War I, where the club raised money to fund an ambulance and medical facilities for the western front. The building was relatively unscathed by the Hawke's Bay Earthquake of 1931. Fortunately, the Club, being of wooden construction, flexed for the duration and suffered very little damage.  The building was strapped to its piles and did not slide off them as happened to many wooden buildings.  The tile roof suffered very little damage as all the tiles were securely attached to the roof framing.  The only real damage was the collapse of the magnificent chimneys which had to be replaced. The clubhouse was used as a base for emergency workers, and a number of members played an important part in the reconstruction of the town. The club also offered its facilities to members of the Napier Club who had lost their building during the earthquake. The relationship subsequently formed between the two clubs is still evoked today, although the building has been modified to accommodate a bar, an upstairs flat and modern kitchen, the club still retains its sense of grandeur. It remains a gentleman's club, but on occasions is used for social gatherings such as weddings and other functions.

The Hawke's Bay Club is an important reminder of a time when men's clubs were an integral part of social life in the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries. In the days when many people resided outside of the town on pastoral runs, the clubs provided a venue where members could stay, conduct business, and or socialise without the presence of women. To a large extent the club reflects an attempt to introduce the English tradition of exclusive male clubs into colonial New Zealand society. The Hawke's Bay Club's founding members included provincial representatives, members of the Legislative Council, military personnel, and wealthy landowners. The clubhouse represents over 140 years of history, of which 135 have been on the same site and in the present clubroom for over a century.

The pride of its members is reflected in the excellent condition of the clubrooms. Together with the adjacent former Napier Courthouse (built 1875), they form a notable historic grouping on Napier's Marine Parade.

It is still, essentially, the same building erected in 1906, something to be proud of.  Externally only a few minor cosmetic changes have been made over the years, except for the chimneys, which were removed in 2010 as they posed an earthquake risk.  This was followed by a small bit of internal seismic strengthening and the building is now rated at 85% earthquake compliance.

• Heritage NZ Inventory Link: