2 minute read
Talk to a Taranaki Local
Zara Stanhope - Director, Govett- Brewster Art Gallery, Len Lye Centre
My top must-do’s for visitors...
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If you are around New Plymouth and enjoy moving about on weekends I suggest a visit to the Eltham Cheese Shop, walks in one of Taranaki’s Regional Gardens – Tūpare, Hollard or Pukeiti – a picnic at Lucy’s Gully, followed by swim at Ōakura where you can enjoy dinner at Toret or a pizza at dusk at Black Sands and finish back in Ngāmotu with a drink in the lounge of the Nice Hotel.
A favourite walk or bike is along Te Hēnui walkway to the coast before taking New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway along the beaches famous for their black sands and waves.
I’m starting to feel hungry just thinking about… the coffee and snacks at Ozone, the doughnuts at Public Catering, potstickers at Snug Lounge, bagels at Crystal Cylinder, the bucatini putanesca at State Pasta or the open omelette at Monica’s Eatery – I could go on!
For a delightful day trip… I recommend Pātea. I am always blown away by the scenery where the Pātea River joins the South Taranaki Bight. In particular, the sense of the elemental force of nature that is palpable in the wind, rolling waves and extensive black-sand beach with its necklace of driftwood. Often you find yourself the only person on the beach. The area also has an important history, dating from before the time of the arrival of the Aotea waka followed by the impact of colonial settlement onwards, visible at Aotea Utanganui (Museum of South Taranaki).
Living in Taranaki is awesome because… the maunga is number one; its unique spirit dominates the land. Some say that Taranaki, losing a battle with Tongariro over a love conquest for Mt Pihanga, withdrew from his original location near Tūrangi and went underground, carving out the bed of the Whanganui River on his journey to the sea. When he surfaced he was drawn towards beautiful Pouakai Range standing inland. Pouakai and Taranaki’s offspring became the trees, plants, birds, rocks and rivers flowing from their slopes.
Taranaki people are amazingly warm and friendly; there is always a lot going on whether at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery|Len Lye Centre or other Taranaki public and private cultural centres, theatres and galleries. And you can get your fill of sun and surf here, even in winter.
