YOUR SOUVENIR HANDBOOK TO THIS LEGENDARY REGION
Black sand beach, North Taranaki
WELCOME TO TARANAKI TARANAKI, on the western edge of New Zealand’s North Island, offers visitors and locals an experience like no other.
Nestled between a picture-perfect mountain and a sparkling sea, this region offers the best of town and country, with chic urban eateries, wonderfully isolated country gardens, stunning surf beaches and vibrant international events.
Beneath the Mountain’s iconic peak are countless amazing stories, adventures, people, businesses and experiences. This magazine captures some of them and will give you a glimpse into Taranaki’s incredible landscape, inspiring innovation and legendary lifestyle.
Welcome to Taranaki. It’s a lot more than you may have been expecting and who knows, you may end up loving it so much you just can’t leave!
Robin Brockie Chairman Venture Taranaki Trust Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency
Front cover image: Surfers at Te Rewa Rewa bridge heading for “Waisy’s” surf break.
Mt Taranaki and the Taranaki region from the north.
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TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
WAITARA
NEW PLYMOUTH
INGLEWOOD
EGMONT NATIONAL PARK
NEW ZEALAND STRATFORD
AUCKLAND
ELTHAM
OPUNAKE
TARANAKI REGION WELLINGTON
HAWERA
TASMAN SEA PATEA
TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
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Paritutu Rock and New Plymouth from Oakura
“IT’S ABSOLUTELY
STUNNING,
BREATHTAKING. HOW COULD ANYONE NOT WANT TO BE HERE?”
TOM CRUISE,
ON THE FILM SET OF THE LAST SAMURAI, NEW PLYMOUTH.
Images supplied by: Mark Harris - www.markharris.co.nz Rob Tucker - www.robtucker.co.nz Olivier Perkins - www.spore.co.nz Taranaki Daily News - www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news Design: Greg Muter - greg@designfactory.co.nz While all due care has been taken to ensure accuracy of this publication, Venture Taranaki accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. Prices, timetables and other details or terms may change without notice. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior written consent from Venture Taranaki. Published in September 2011 by Venture Taranaki.
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TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
TARANAKI CONTENTS
Rich culture Taranaki’s stories are legendary, and best discovered through exploring the region. Page 6
Arts and events From great galleries to international events Taranaki has something for everyone. Page 12
A natural playground Taranaki is an undiscovered outdoor playground, from magnificent mountain to stunning surf beaches. Page 18
Garden delights Taranaki’s gardens are so spectacular they have their own festivals. Page 24
Walks and adventures Travel Taranaki by foot, bike or car to get to the heart of the region. Page 26
Innovative businesses Since our nation’s pioneering days Taranaki has been at the forefront of innovation. Page 30
Legendary lifestyle Taranaki’s landscape, culture, businesses and passionate people conspire to create a lifestyle like no other. Page 34
Useful information Everything you need to have an unforgettable Taranaki experience. Page 38
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MT TARANAKI >> a mythical mountain
LIKE SO MANY GREAT STORIES, TARANAKI’S BEGINS WITH A LOVE AFFAIR.
As a bold young man, Mount Taranaki once stood in the centre of the North Island alongside the mountains of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Taranaki fell in love with pretty Mount Pihanga and constantly battled with Mount Ngauruhoe for her heart. These days the 2518m volcanic peak – which last erupted in After a particularly heated battle, which Ngauruhoe ultimately
1755 – offers countless adventures through untouched bush
won, Taranaki was banished to the west, making a lonely trek
and alpine environments. To get the full story head to Puke
to his current resting place. The trail of tears he left behind
Ariki – the stunning regional museum - or head to one of the
over his lost love formed the Whanganui River, and to this day
Department of Conservation visitor centres at the top of the
if you catch the mountain behind clouds it is said that he is
North Egmont or Dawson Falls mountain access roads or
hiding the tears he still sheds for pretty Pihanga.
the recently refurbished Stratford Mountain House.
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TARANAKI - RICH CULTURE LIKE NO OTHER
The 2518m peak of Mount Taranaki offers legendary adventures whatever the season. Below left: Lush greenery in Mt Taranaki’s bush walks. Below centre: Mt Taranaki’s Manganui Ski Field. Below right: The Stratford Mountain House.
TARANAKI - RICH CULTURE - LIKE NO OTHER
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A region
rich in history Taranaki has a vivid history that is rich in both legend and spirit. The region has seen more than its
The region’s combative history
fair share of wars, beginning with
is still marked through the many
bloody battles between the Maori
Maori pa sites that have indelibly
tribes that first settled the region
scarred hilltops throughout the
in the 13th century.
province. Sites like Pukerangiora
Europeans first arrived in the province in the 1820s, establishing a trading post in present day New Plymouth in 1828. Land surveying for eager English immigrants began in 1839. European settlement of New Plymouth began in earnest in 1841, as did the initial opposition to land sales by local Maori. This was to become a defining aspect of the region’s history for over 150 years, with the Taranaki Land Wars drawing
Pa, Te Koru Pa and Turuturu Mokai demonstrate the immense scale of these handdug fortifications, and hint at the defensiveness needed to withstand an attack. From the Taranaki Wars was born the passive resistance movement, centred around Parihaka Pa on the Taranaki coast. The prophets Te Whiti O Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi led their people in nonviolent protest in reaction to the confiscation of their lands.
more than 3,500 colonial troops
Taranaki’s rich history and
into the region to support the
pioneering spirit have combined
voluntary militia of 1,500.
to create the vibrant, progressive and innovative population and region of today.
TURUTURU MOKAI One of the most impressive of the hand-scarred hilltops around Taranaki is the expansive 17th Century Turuturu Mokai Pa just out of Hawera. A translation of the Pa’s name hints at its history - The Place Where Heads are Impaled on Stakes. A model of the Pa at its fully-fortified height is on display at nearby Tawhiti Museum.
CAPE EGMONT LIGHTHOUSE The Cape Egmont Lighthouse, at the end of Cape Road along Surf Highway 45, was built in London in the 1800s and originally stood on Wellington’s Mana Island. It became a pawn in Te Whiti’s passive resistance campaign – its reconstruction in Taranaki was halted for four years by non-violent protest at the confiscation of lands, until 40 members of the armed constabulary were stationed at Cape Road to ensure its completion. First beaming from its present site in 1881 it was manually operated until 1986.
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New Plymouth’s innovative Puke Ariki (top) Traders & Whalers exhibit at South Taranaki’s Tawhiti Museum (centre) The Museum of South Taranaki - Aotea Utanganui (bottom)
MUSEUMS OF ALMOST EVERYTHING
FROM THE VOLCANIC CONE OF MOUNT TARANAKI TO THE ANCIENT PA SITES THAT HAVE MARKED THE REGION’S HILLTOPS, IT’S HARD NOT TO GET DRAWN INTO TARANAKI’S HISTORY, BEST TOLD BY ONE OF THE REGION’S MANY GREAT MUSEUMS. THE BEST PLACE TO START is
A short drive from Hawera is
Puke Ariki - the expansive and innovative
Tawhiti Museum, widely regarded as
museum and library on New Plymouth’s
New Zealand's best private museum.
waterfront. Four major permanent exhibitions
The hand-built creation of artist
explore the region’s natural, geological and
Nigel Ogle, Tawhiti Museum has
The Museum of South Taranaki –
human stories, and a dynamic exhibition
transformed an old dairy factory into an
Aotea Utanganui – has recently reopened in
and events programme puts the spotlight on
incredible journey through Taranaki’s
Patea following an extensive redevelopment,
specific aspects of the region’s culture.
history, told with hundreds of hand-crafted
and offers a fascinating insight into the
scale and life-sized models and thousands
town’s fortunes over the years.
Puke Ariki also features two cafes and the
of artifacts. Highly recommended is the
Taranaki Research Centre - a fascinating
Traders & Whalers attraction – a
repository of the region’s history that goes
spectacular ride through the region’s past
beyond the exhibitions.
that has to be experienced to be believed.
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TARANAKI - RICH CULTURE - LIKE NO OTHER
TARANAKI IS ALSO HOME TO A WIDE RANGE OF MORE ECLECTIC COLLECTIONS THAT OFFER A FASCINATING WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND OR MORE. Almost every corner of the region offers
complete history of the sport of bowls at
an opportunity to experience private
the TSB Bowls New Zealand Museum
collections of almost everything.
or even Elvis Presley memorabilia at KD’s Memorial Record Room
Gain an insight into Taranaki’s
in Hawera, there is no shortage of
pioneering past through Taranaki
collections to explore.
Pioneer Village near Stratford, Taranaki Aviation, Transport and Technology
But the real discovery is often the
Museum near Egmont Village, the
passionate and knowledgeable people
Tainui Historical Society Museum
behind these unique collections,
in North Taranaki, and Waverley’s
revealing the old adage that every object
Woolshed Museum.
tells a story, and in many cases more than one.
But the diversity of the region’s avid collectors doesn’t stop there. From toys at Inglewood’s Fun Ho! National Toy Museum to country music at Manaia’s Country Music Hall of Fame, banking and financial artefacts at New Plymouth’s TSB Bank Museum to the almost
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The perfect figure of Mount Taranaki has been a recurring theme in New Zealand’s art history - being painted, drawn or photographed by many of our nation’s greatest artists. The Mountain’s creative influence extends right around its base,
Hawera’s Lysaght Watt Gallery are worth a visit to experience
taking you on a journey through studios, galleries and public
the spectrum of what’s happening in the local art scene.
art in the form of outdoor sculpture and exhibition spaces. But the jewel in Taranaki's creative crown is undoubtedly the Of these rapidly emerging art spaces, Stratford’s Percy
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery which first opened its doors in
Thomson Gallery, New Plymouth’s Real TArt Gallery and
1970. The gallery presents an ever-changing exhibition and
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TARANAKI - ARTS LIKE NO ANDOTHER EVENTS - LIKE NO OTHER
Len Lye sculptures on display at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Photo Bryan James.
events programme with a specific focus on contemporary art
The Govett-Brewster is home to the collection and archive
from New Zealand and the Pacific Rim.
of the late Kiwi artist and filmmaker Len Lye, whose contemplative 45m kinetic sculpture the Wind Wand has pride
It also offers a popular cafe and design store, filled with the
of place on New Plymouth's foreshore, and whose influence in
gallery’s own publications and other interesting and
direct filmmaking has earned him global recognition.
unique treasures. TARANAKI - ARTS AND TARANAKI EVENTS - LIKE NO OTHER
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THE EVENTS CAPITAL
The annual WOMAD festival
JANUARY
AMERICARNA
ROUND THE MOUNTAIN CYCLE CHALLENGES
Taranaki comes alive to the V8 engine with this locally created celebration of American
A scenic 150km circumnavigation of iconic Mount Taranaki as a solo, duo or team, these
classic and custom car culture. www.americarna.com
annual events attract thousands of cyclists. www.roundthemountain.co.nz www.cyclechallenge.co.nz
MARCH SOUNDS AOTEAROA
FEBRUARY
Sounds Aotearoa brings together musicians, industry representatives and audiences from
WILD WEST BIKE FEST
across the country and around the globe for two days of live New Zealand music, a trade
A month-long celebration of all things bicycle, with dozens of events ranging from short-
expo and an industry development conference. www.soundsaotearoa.com
course XC races to community rides. www.newplymouthnz.com WORLD OF MUSIC, ARTS AND DANCE (WOMAD) WELLS NEW PLYMOUTH HALF IRONMAN
WOMAD delivers an exhilarating weekend of global rhythms, sights and sounds in the
New Plymouth’s internationally acclaimed waterfront is home to this epic half ironman
lush surroundings of Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth.
event, that is supported by a number of smaller running options. www.eventstaranaki.co.nz
www.womad.co.nz
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TARANAKI - ARTS AND EVENTS - LIKE NO OTHER
Taranaki has earned a reputation as the events capital of New Zealand for good reason. From festivals to fixtures and concerts to contests, Taranaki offers it all, throughout the region and the year. Here are the highlights:
The iconic TSB Bowl of Brooklands concert venue.
APRIL
AUGUST
TSB BANK NEW ZEALAND SURF FESTIVAL
TARANAKI INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
This event showcases the natural beauty and perfect breaks of Taranaki’s Surf Highway
A spectacular array of national and international artists descend on the region for the
45. The festival culminates in a round of the ASP Women’s Dream Tour,
two-yearly Taranaki International Festival of the Arts, which takes place around the
New Zealand’s biggest surfing competition and hosts the best female surfers in the
mountain. (2013) www.artsfest.co.nz
world. www.nzsurffestival.co.nz
SEPTEMBER
FITZROY YACHTS SOLO TRANS-TASMAN CHALLENGE
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011 IN TARANAKI
Every four years a group of adventurers set off alone from New Plymouth, bound for
Stadium Taranaki, judged the world’s third best venue to watch a rugby game by NZ
Mooloolaba on Australia’s Gold Coast. Farewell this classic yacht race from Port Taranaki
Rugby World Magazine, will host Ireland vs. USA on 11 September, Russia vs. USA on
and follow the race live online. www.solo-tasman.co.nz
15 September and Wales vs. Namibia on 26 September. www.taranaki.info/rwc2011
TARANAKI - ARTS AND EVENTS - LIKE NO OTHER
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THE EVENTS CAPITAL
Pukekura Park ablaze during the TSB Festival of Lights
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
POWERCO TARANAKI GARDEN SPECTACULAR
ROUND THE MOUNTAIN RELAY
The iconic Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Spectacular returns for its 24th year in
Take part in a 150km relay walk or run around the iconic Mount Taranaki, or for the
2011, showcasing the best of Taranaki’s gardens. More than 50 gardens are on offer with
more serious, go it alone with the 100 mile run. www.mountainrelay.co.nz
a vibrant events programme, making this a must-do for garden lovers. www.rhodo.co.nz
DECEMBER
TARANAKI WAVE CLASSIC
TSB BANK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
The last of the winter swells fuel this epic wave sailing event on the Taranaki coast.
Running from December to early February, the Festival of Lights transforms
www.taranakiwaveclassic.com
New Plymouth’s central-city Pukekura Park after dark, with thousands of lighting effects and installations, and a free events programme that offers something every night. www.festivaloflights.co.nz
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TARANAKI - ARTS AND EVENTS - LIKE NO OTHER
outh’s
New Plym
dged the
ranaki– ju
Stadium Ta
lace 3rd best p d orl in the w h a game to watc of rugby.
Yarrows Stadium/Stadium Taranaki
YEAR ROUND CONCERTS AT THE BOWL OF BROOKLANDS Throughout the year the TSB Bowl of Brooklands – a spectacular natural amphitheatre only a short walk from the centre of town – hosts countless international performing artists. Recent guests have included Sir Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, REM, Jack Johnson, and many more. www.taranaki.info/events SPORTS EVENTS Taranaki hosts a myriad of sports events throughout the year from fishing competitions, cricket at Pukekura Park – one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world - to international rugby matches at Stadium Taranaki. Whether as a spectator or participant, there is always an event to enjoy! For information on these and many other events visit www.taranaki.info
TARANAKI - ARTS AND EVENTS - LIKE NO OTHER
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A NATURAL PLAYGROUND
Taranaki’s landscape is a natural
Starting at the top, Mount Taranaki
Beneath the summit are over
playground. From the glistening
offers skiing and boarding thrills in
300km of walking and tramping
peak of Mount Taranaki to the vivid
winter at Manganui Ski Field or a
tracks, punctuated by huts offering
coastline, it’s almost impossible to
challenging summit ascent in the
welcome opportunities to stop
avoid getting into the action.
warmer months. Heading up with
for a rest or a night, all with
an experienced local tour guide is
unbeatable views.
recommended as the conditions can change rapidly.
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TARANAKI - A NATURAL PLAYGROUND - LIKE NO OTHER
Flowing from the Mountain, the
Beyond the mountain and its
From short coastal walks to guided
region’s river network offers
waterways, visitors to Taranaki can
tours through a seal colony, hands-
everything from white water
experience the landscape through a
on surf lessons to epic mountain
extremes to kayaking or boating
wide range of adventures.
bike excursions, or guided tours
on the Urenui or Waitara rivers or
through a Kiwi reserve to farm
Lake Rotorangi hydro dam, to a
treks, Taranaki’s legendary
more sedate experience of one or
landscape will give you any excuse
two hours fishing.
you need to get out and have fun.
TARANAKI - A NATURAL PLAYGROUND - LIKE NO OTHER
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Taranaki
- A HOLE IN ONE!
WHILE YOU’RE IN TARANAKI check out at least one of the region’s twenty great golf courses. From the championship coastal Ngamotu Links, home of the New Plymouth Golf Club to more grassroots 9-hole courses, featuring a number of unique natural hazards, there are plenty of opportunities to chase par and get a perfectly framed view of the region’s coastline or mountain. All courses welcome visitors, offer very reasonable green fees and the larger ones offer on-site pro shops and club hire. For more information and tee times visit www.taranakigolf.co.nz
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TARANAKI - A NATURAL PLAYGROUND - LIKE NO OTHER
RIDE
THERE ARE COUNTLESS CYCLING ADVENTURES TO BE HAD IN TARANAKI. Taranaki is home to the first on-road section of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. The stunningly scenic 180km trail begins in Taumarunui in the central North Island and heads to New Plymouth via the Forgotten World Highway and historic Whangamomona, four saddles, three tunnels and one historic suspension bridge. It’s best enjoyed over a couple of days or more, and a wide range of accommodation options are springing up along the route. There are many other road rides around the region, and plenty of weekly club rides in North, Central and South Taranaki which will help you discover the best routes, but you can’t go past the iconic round the mountain circuit – a 150km circumnavigation of Mount
Taranaki that passes through rolling countryside and picturesque towns. For mountain bikers there are just as many options, ranging from gentle cruises to epic back-country adventures, offering something for every style of riding and every level of fitness and courage. New Plymouth’s urban trail network is a great place to start, with streamside shared-use paths running throughout the city. From here it’s a gentle step up to the extensive and constantly evolving trail network in the Lake Mangamahoe Mountain Bike Park, or a giant leap to the rugged back country rides of the legendary Moki Track or the historic Whangamomona Road to the ‘Bridge To Somewhere’ and beyond. Image: Kennett Brothers
TARANAKI - A NATURAL PLAYGROUND - LIKE NO OTHER
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t o o f Six y s s a l g and
Taranaki is the home of Kiwi surf. Almost every road that heads towards the coast between Awakino in the North and Waitotara in the South will lead you to a perfect uncrowded wave.
AUSTRALIAN SURFER CHELSEA HEDGES IN ACTION AT THE 2011 ASP DREAM TOUR, BACK BEACH, TARANAKI.
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TARANAKI - A NATURAL PLAYGROUND - LIKE NO OTHER
As you drive around Surf Highway 45 – the coast road from New Plymouth to Hawera - you’ll pass dozens of world-class breaks. From legendary surf spots like the Kumara Patch, Stent Road, and Rocky Point to the secret spots that you won’t find in any guidebook, there's a wave for every level of surfer. The region’s surf is so good it has attracted travelling surfers for decades, including the world’s best women surfers on the ASP Dream Tour. The geographic curve of Taranaki’s coast means there is almost always an offshore wind somewhere, as well as a cross-wind for wave sailing somewhere else. To discover the secrets of Taranaki’s surf scene head to one of the region’s many surf shops, which double as everything from museums to coffee-houses as they feed the region’s ingrained surf culture.
TOP TO BOTTOM: THE END OF A SUNSET SESSION, FITZROY BEACH OFF THE NEW PLYMOUTH COASTAL WALKWAY; TARANAKI IS HOME TO A THRIVING SURF INDUSTRY; EPIC SURF ON THE SURF HIGHWAY 45.
TARANAKI - A NATURAL PLAYGROUND - LIKE NO OTHER
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THE GARDEN The Garden OF NEW ZEALAND
Te Kainga Marire, Garden of International Significance.
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TARANAKI - GARDEN DELIGHTS - LIKE NO OTHER
WITH ITS RICH VOLCANIC SOIL AND WARM CLIMATE IT’S NO WONDER THAT TARANAKI HAS BEEN KNOWN AS THE GARDEN OF NEW ZEALAND FOR OVER 150 YEARS. Early settlers were so impressed by the rich and fertile landscape, they labelled the region the ‘Garden of New Zealand’ in early marketing material. Taranaki’s gardens are still so impressive they have their own festivals. The Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular event attracts thousands of garden lovers to the region every spring. The long-running festival showcases more than 50 of the region’s best gardens along with a vibrant events and education programme. The region is also home to a large and wonderfully eclectic Fringe Garden Festival, which captures even more of the extraordinary splendour and variety of the gardens of Taranaki. Collections of vintage tools and machinery and local artists provide a little extra colour for your pleasure along the trail, but there is much more to the region’s garden portfolio than
just the festivals, with more Gardens of National significance located here than any other region. Te Kainga Marire has been a life-long passion for Valda Poletti and Dave Clarkson, who have transformed a patch of clay in suburban New Plymouth into an intimate native garden which is one of only four Gardens of International Significance in New Zealand. At the other end of the garden spectrum is the world-renowned Pukeiti Garden, a 360-hectare rainforest garden nestled into the foothills of Mount Taranaki. Pukeiti features more than 10,000 rhododendrons, covering more than 500 of the 800 known varieties. Between Te Kainga Marire and Pukeiti, Taranaki offers a huge range of parks and gardens from the formal to the familiar.
New Plymouth’s central Pukekura Park is one of the best, with a huge variety of plant collections, natives and exotic specimen trees across a diverse range of landscapes. South Taranaki’s Hollard Gardens and New Plymouth’s Tupare both began life as private gardens and over the generations have grown into spectacularly landscaped displays of native and exotic specimens that are well worth a couple of hours exploring on foot. A comprehensive guidebook to Taranaki’s many public and nationally significant parks and gardens is available free from the visitor information centres at New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera, or can be downloaded from www.taranaki.info/visit
TARANAKI - GARDEN DELIGHTS - LIKE NO OTHER
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Te Rewa Rewa Bridge on the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway – fast becoming a local icon.
great walks TARANAKI’S UNIQUE LANDSCAPE OFFERS COUNTLESS WALKING ADVENTURES, FROM SHORT COASTAL EXCURSIONS TO MULTI-DAY ALPINE TREKS. The most accessible of Taranaki’s walks
like structure spanning the Waiwhakaiho
sits within the Rotokare Scenic Reserve,
is New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway.
River that is also well on the way to
a large area of historically significant
This international award-winning 10km
becoming a local icon.
bush teeming with a wide variety of
walking and cycling path along the edge
bird species that was surrounded with a
of the Tasman Sea, from Port Taranaki
At the other end of the scale is the
and Paritutu Rock in the west to the
Pouakai Circuit, a spectacular two to
growing suburb of Bell Block in the east,
three day loop on the Northern slopes
Taranaki offers many more short and long
has been an integral part of
of Mount Taranaki. Taking walkers from
walks through every type of terrain. To
New Plymouth’s transformation over
lush native bush to tussock above the
discover more great walks, pick up a free
recent years, drawing residents and
treeline, this world-class track provides
copy of Taranaki – A Walker’s Guide from
visitors alike back to the coast.
the intrepid walker with a true Taranaki
the region’s i-SITE Visitor Information
walking experience including incredible
Centres at New Plymouth, Stratford or
views and unique scenery.
Hawera or download a copy from
Not to be missed attractions along the Coastal Walkway are Len Lye’s majestic
predator-proof fence in 2008.
www.taranaki.info/visit.
Wind Wand kinetic sculpture, that has
For a different type of adventure, head
survived a rocky start to become a much-
inland from Eltham to the Lake Rotokare
loved focal point, and the striking
Walkway, a peaceful 4.3km walking track
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, a unique wave-
around the ‘rippling lake’. The walkway
NEW PLYMOUTH COASTAL WALKWAY Spanning 10km along the New Plymouth waterfront - from Port Taranaki to Bell Block – the Coastal Walkway has proven a hit with locals and visitors alike.
POUAKAI CIRCUIT Best tackled over two days, the 23km Pouakai Circuit captures the best of Egmont National Park, with bush and alpine environments.
LAKE ROTOKARE This idyllic predator-free conservation site offers a 4km walk around the lake through towering native forest, dense bush and swamplands.
TARANAKI - WALKS AND ADVENTURES - LIKE NO OTHER
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Taranaki’s two official touring routes offer a fantastic insight into the best of the region. Exploring the Surf Highway around the coast or the Forgotten World Highway to the Central North Island will introduce you to the landscape, the history and the people that make this region like no other.
Not only is the laid-back Taranaki coast home to some of the best surf breaks in New Zealand, it’s also the source of a uniquely Taranaki adventure. The 105km Surf Highway 45 traces the
The ever-present Mount Taranaki is
Fuelling the journey, great cafes are handily
coastline from New Plymouth in the north to
responsible for the unique small, round hills
located along the way, serving delicious meals,
Hawera in the south, following a path well-
formed by ancient lahars flowing from the
tempting treats and seriously good coffee.
worn by decades of intrepid surfers in their
mountain, best seen on Cape Road
Those at Oakura, Okato and Opunake are
search for the perfect wave at one of the many
en-route to the Cape Egmont Lighthouse.
worth the journey in their own right.
surf spots. There are plenty of opportunities to tap into
The best way to explore the Surf Highway is to
‘The Coast’ is home to more than just its
the Coast’s history, from the substantial
load up the car with the surfboards and a thirst
surf. The laid-back coastal culture has given
Koru Pa inland from Oakura to the wreck of
for adventure and follow the road.
rise to many cozy cafes, artist and artisan
the SS Gairloch at the end of Timaru Road to
studios and eclectic shops, centred on
Te Ngutu o Te Manu, once the base of revered
the many small towns that punctuate the
Maori warrior Titokowaru.
journey. These towns have grown from humble dairy beginnings, and you’ll pass
From north to south Back Beach, Oakura,
through a decidedly rural landscape with a
Opunake, Kaupokonui and Ohawe all offer the
very vivid history.
chance to wander on a sandy beach, swim, fish, or have a barbecue.
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TARANAKI - WALKS AND ADVENTURES - LIKE NO OTHER
Tracing ancient Maori trails and pioneering farm tracks from Stratford to Taumarunui in the central North Island, the Forgotten World Highway is New Zealand’s oldest touring route. The bush that lines the
The route passes by many once-
Forgotten World Highway is
bustling settlements that sprung
as rich as the history behind it.
up to service aspiring mining and
Over thirty geographic, historical
farming businesses. Tangarakau
and scenic points of interest
was once home to 1200 residents,
line the route, and as a result it’s
fuelled by the construction of the
recommended to spend most of a
nearby railway line.
day exploring the 155km journey. The main settlement of the route The route traverses four natural
is the village of Whangamomona,
saddles, at Strathmore, Pohokura,
first settled in 1895 and home to a
Whangamomona and Tahora, and
population of 300 at its peak. Now
passes through the breathtaking
home to around 30 residents, the
Tangarakau Gorge, lush farmland
village has a Historic Places Trust
and the ever-encroaching native
Precinct rating, and is centred on
bush that challenged generations
the Whangamomona Hotel, which
of pioneering farmers and miners.
offers accommodation and hearty meals for locals and travellers alike.
Their stories of ambition and heartbreak can be experienced
The village declared itself a
through hand-hewn tunnels and
republic in 1989, complete with
the remnants of coal mines, flour
its own presidential election and
mills and the unique ‘papa drives’
passport, which can be obtained
that were used extensively as
from the Hotel. The famous
roading culverts in the 1900s.
Whangamomona Republic Day is held bi-annually in January, and
The people behind these
attracts thousands of visitors.
ambitions are also recognised through memorials to respected
Passers-by on the
early surveyor Joshua Morgan,
Forgotten World Highway will
who died in 1892 at the age of
still enjoy a cheery wave from
35, and intrepid farmer and
locals – the way this pioneering
mother Alice King, who raised
country used to be.
one of the first families to settle the area in 1884.
TARANAKI’S FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY
Pick up a copy of the Surf Highway 45 and Forgotten World Highway Touring Route Guides from a Taranaki i-SITE Visitor Centre or download from www.taranaki.info/visit
TARANAKI - WALKS AND ADVENTURES - LIKE NO OTHER
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TARANAKI HOME OF
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS TARANAKI’S ECONOMY IS A RISING STAR, BUILT ON BLACK GOLD – OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PROCESSING; AND WHITE GOLD - DAIRY AND FOOD PRODUCTION. The region’s businesses have maintained Taranaki’s legendary pioneering spirit to create an enviable reputation for innovation. Taranaki has grown from its core industries into a diverse range of new sectors, such as tourism, education and film. In Taranaki we do everything, from crafting some of the best super yachts to worldleading solutions for the oil and gas sector to developing cutting-edge primary production technologies or using skills honed in the dairy industry to realise the dreams of the world’s leading artists. The companies profiled here are just the tip of the iceberg. For more information visit www.taranaki.info/business. 32
TARANAKI - INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES - LIKE NO OTHER
FITZROY YACHTS With almost as much coastline as the continental USA, it’s no surprise that New Zealanders have such a profound love of the ocean. For centuries, sailing the seas has been a necessity and a joy, evolving a legendary appreciation of vessel design and sailing techniques. Nestled beneath Mount Taranaki and beside the mighty Tasman Sea, Fitzroy Yachts began designing and building its first super yacht in 1997. Named The Spirit of Fitzroy, it was presented to the super yacht world at the Monaco Boat Show, and the first person to step aboard bought it.
Since then, Fitzroy Yachts has become just one of a handful of premium super yacht builders in the world having designed and hand built 11 super yachts ranging from 35 metres to more than 50 metres in length. Each yacht is a testament to the attention to detail and a reflection of the personal touch of more than 200 specialist craftsmen, designers and project managers at Fitzroy Yachts.
experience fits in with that stress-free, leisure-time experience. So much so that we’ve even had our customers come back and order another one!” Taranaki may be the last place you expect a world-class super yacht to come from, but given Fitzroy Yachts’ growing list of accolades, maybe it should be the first. www.fitzroyyachts.com
“Every yacht is an expression of the individual owner, so they are virtually custom built on time and to the highest quality,” says Managing Director Rodney Martin. Making the boat work as beautifully as it looks is part of the package. “For their owners, super yachts are the ultimate in relaxation. So we make sure the whole design, build and sailing
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TARANAKI HOME OF
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS HOWARD WRIGHT It’s usually only when we’re flat on our backs that we fully appreciate the design that goes into medical beds. But for over 50 years one Taranaki company has been making beds and stretchers with design in mind, and award-winning results. With a mission to make patient care easier, Howard Wright take a designdriven approach to not only creating their products but to their whole organisation, which is delivering results for the company, the health sector and the people that need them. One of the company’s latest products - an intensive care bed called the M8 - has won prestigious design awards in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. All Howard Wright beds are engineered and manufactured at their innovative and environmentally aware Taranaki factory using quality raw materials and precision engineering machinery.
But it’s the research and development team’s understanding of human problems and solutions where the magic happens. “Our design engineers consult with all users of our products from nurses and medical specialists to patients, orderlies and maintenance technicians,” says Chief Executive Bruce Moller. “By listening, questioning and observing we are discovering better ways to design products which ultimately aim to reduce patient handling, maintenance costs and be intuitive and simple to use.” Without many of us realising it, Howard Wright has been helping medical professionals look after patients since the
1960s, and in the process have created one of Taranaki’s most innovative and successful companies. www.howardwrightcares.com
CARBON ART Teaming a passion for windsurfing, the unique Taranaki environment and a mission to create the best windsurfers in the world is paying off for Okato-based Carbon Art. Since 2004 the company has built an international brand almost as big as its trophy cabinet, winning awards in the United States, Hawaii, Greece, Sweden and more – even taking out the International Speed World Cup ranking for 2009. To get this unmatched performance requires a precise design and build process. All boards start life in the 3D software package, which is then transferred to a CNC machine where the boards are shaped, guaranteeing total accuracy and precision. From there they’re hand built in Taranaki, undergoing 27 different stages before
34
completion. Each board is laminated using a unique proprietary lamination system combining carbon and glass fibres to give the highest possible strength to weight ratio. The end result is a board that is both incredibly strong and incredibly light. The company’s range of boards – now spanning more than 35 standard shapes – is tested right here in Taranaki. “We build our boards here, we sail here, we surf here, we fish here so it’s important to Carbon Art to reduce its environmental impact as much as possible,” says Director James Dinnis.
TARANAKI - INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES - LIKE NO OTHER
“It’s great being able to design the boards, build the boards and take them straight into the water to test them yourself – it’s fun!” www.carbonartwindsurf.com
TRACKGRIP In just over a year South Taranaki company TrackGrip have gone from idea to rapidly rising exporter, improving the safety and productivity of some of the biggest brands in earthmoving in the process. TrackGrip attaches to diggers, bulldozers and other tracked vehicles to increase traction while operating on steep gradients. The invention provides the earthmoving industry with greater access to areas that are otherwise too steep to operate on providing increased safety and even fuel savings. The company rapidly began winning awards for innovation, and it’s not hard to see why – TrackGrip provides grip up, down and sideways, is available in three different types to fit a wide range of machines and uses, and can even be colour coordinated to match individual machinery.
Unsurprisingly the product is attracting international attention. At a recent global industry expo TrackGrip caught the eye of some of the biggest earthmoving machine sellers in the world. “On the back of that one expo, after only 14 months in operation, we’re now having to expand our plant and staff to meet export shipments to USA and Canada,” says Managing Director John Burling. “There is nothing comparable on the market today, and the payback from
reduced downtime and the huge increase in operator safety makes a set of TrackGrips an absolute necessity.” www.trackgrip.com
VAN DYCK FINE FOODS When it comes to export growth there’s a lot to be said for the humble pikelet. Husband and wife team Marcel Naenen and Inge Vercammen began making a range of crepes and pikelets – also known as hotcakes – from their Bell Block, New Plymouth factory in 1999, and have since grown to be the largest manufacturer of hotcakes in New Zealand. Their most popular product is hotcakes, which come in a variety of flavours such as apple and cinnamon, strawberry, blueberry, coconut, chocolate, chocolate chip, corn and capsicum, and even a unique gluten-free range. Van Dyck use carefully selected and secretly guarded ingredients for their products – almost all of which are sourced in New Zealand. Van Dyck’s domestic customers include
supermarkets and food distributors nationwide, plus food chains such as Wendy’s, Coffee Club, Burger King, and some private label brands. Having gained 70 percent of the local market, they have developed export markets in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, supplying airlines, food companies and even major global restaurant brands. Now they are even looking further afield. Van Dyck are currently finalising a major expansion to double their existing capacity to a staggering 160,000 hot
cakes per day, making them one to watch. And taste. www.vandyck.co.nz
ENVIROFUR Usually associated with environmental destruction, the common possum can also be both useful and fashionable. Possum fur is hollow, similar to polar bear fur, so is both warm and soft. It’s also easily accessible, solving an environmental problem at the same time.
skins and fur from trappers all around New Zealand – which makes for a wide colour range - for their footwear, hats and bags and other items.
Blending all these traits, Central Taranaki company Envirofur utilises possum, deer and calf skin to create a range of New Zealand-made clothing and homeware products.
“We have visitors from around the world, and even our local clients are looking for something different. Everything in the shop is Kiwi made,” Pennie says.
Owners Laurie and Pennie Sands use a natural process that doesn’t involve toxic chemicals so is easier on the environment and the wearer. Envirofur source their
Word of the humble possum fur is spreading, and with it the successes of this innovative Taranaki company.
www.envirofur.co.nz
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A lifestyle
like no other Taranaki’s superb lifestyle has become the stuff of legend. The region offers a lot for visitors, and
engineering, agriculture and associated
Add to this the region’s clean air and water,
even more for those that choose to live,
support industries such as health,
a rush hour that can still be measured
work and play here.
business, manufacturing and IT.
in minutes, affordable housing options and thriving arts, culture and cafe scene,
It’s no wonder Taranaki was judged home
In Taranaki it’s easy to balance a desirable
impressive facilities and amenities and
to the best place to live in
lifestyle with an equally enviable career.
you’ll soon see why so many people
New Zealand by North and South
The region’s dynamic surf, choice of parks
are swapping sides to this laid back yet
magazine, and home to the best small city
and gardens, fantastic major events
stimulating community.
in the world at the United Nations-backed
calendar and mountain playground make
Liveable Communities Awards.
it a great place to live and play.
To find out how you can make the move to Taranaki visit www.swapsides.co.nz
Taranaki has a strong economy based on
Taranaki’s infrastructure and amenities are
oil and gas exploration and dairying and
also of a high standard and impressive for
food production. There are also many
a region of its size. They include numerous
thriving businesses across a wide range of
libraries, galleries and museums, sports
industries, providing plenty of careers and
facilities and swimming pools, cycle and
job opportunities across the oil and gas,
walk ways, theatres, parks and stadiums.
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TARANAKI - LEGENDARY LIFESTYLE - LIKE NO OTHER
Enjoying the lifestyle Jane Moffitt Welsh woman Jane Moffitt was travelling the
A human resources specialist by trade,
world when she met South Taranaki resident
Jane has found a challenging and rewarding
Andrew in Sydney. Seeking to build a life
role in the region’s economic development
together that balanced lifestyle and career, Jane
agency Venture Taranaki, helping the region’s
and Andrew chose to settle in his home town of
businesses to grow. The role is based in both
Hawera in 2006, and they love their life here.
New Plymouth and Hawera.
“I knew I would enjoy the lifestyle in South
“I get to have an enviable balance of friendly
Taranaki,” says Jane. “I love swimming and
small town living with bigger city convenience,
scuba diving plus the winter offers lots of clear,
and a commute that’s only 45 minutes of driving
crisp days and blue sky compared to the dull,
through the beautiful green countryside.”
grey winters from home.”
“And there are just no traffic jams. There’s a
Jane and her husband were able to afford a
saying here that Taranaki has a rush minute
large near-new home with a rural outlook,
rather than the usual rush hour,” says Jane.
plenty of space for the dogs to run around and a thriving vegetable garden to cook from.
Jane Moffitt
“It’s easy to see why Taranaki people are so proud of their region. It has a lot to offer.”
“It’s perfectly set up for long summer barbecues with friends and has a great view of the mountain, but then almost everywhere in Taranaki does.”
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A lifestyle of adventure Ross Benton After visiting New Zealand on holiday eight years ago, Control Systems Engineer Ross Benton liked it so much, he came back to live.
easy to pursue the active life in Taranaki. Having similar outdoor hobbies to the locals has made it easy to make friends and socialise.
Before taking a job with Ballance four years ago, Ross was situated in Cambridgeshire - one of the flattest parts of the United Kingdom. Now Ross is surrounded by countryside and mountainous landscapes.
“I felt more at home here in a month than I did in the whole two years I spent in Cambridgeshire. I connected with the people here, and the move has done my career no harm either, offering a very broad experience at an interesting and dynamic site.”
“In the UK the good jobs just aren’t where you want to live. Here I get the best of both worlds with a fantastic career opportunity and an idyllic lifestyle.” “I considered moving to Canada, but New Zealand seemed like a more interesting country. I’m glad I chose it,” Ross says. “My first house when I moved here overlooked the ocean, something I never could have achieved back in the UK.”
“There’s definitely more of a work life balance focus here. We work hard, but we also have time to enjoy everything Taranaki has to offer.” Easy access to the Pacific Islands has been another bonus. Last year Ross took a trip to Samoa with Habitat Humanity to help rebuild homes after the island experienced a tsunami. “Taranaki is treating me pretty well,” says Ross.
Passionate about mountain biking, white water kayaking, volleyball and hiking, Ross finds it
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TARANAKI - LEGENDARY LIFESTYLE - LIKE NO OTHER
Ross Benton
A lifestyle
like no other Everything a family needs Strydon Family The Strydon Family swapped sides to Taranaki in 2008, and haven’t looked back. The move from Centurion, Gauteng, in the Republic of South Africa to New Plymouth, was driven by employment, but the short drive from the airport to his job interview was all it took for Johan to fall in love with New Plymouth. “The countryside was beautiful, and it was clear there was enough rain – not something I was too familiar with.” “It was instantly obvious that there is a lot more respect here – for others, property and life in general,” says Johan, “but our cultures don’t differ that much, so it was really easy to become part of the community.” Johan’s wife Ina is employed as a nurse in Stratford, less than a half hour commute away. His eldest daughter recently completed school and is studying to become a social worker, and his youngest daughter is in her last year at school.
“My one son and his wife have since joined us in New Plymouth. I just wish that the other two sons and their families would do the same. The one downside is the distance between New Plymouth and South Africa. I miss my family, children and grand children, who are still in RSA.” The family now lives in a modern fivebedroom house in the New Plymouth suburb of Frankleigh Park, that has views over the surrounding area and is “far enough from the town to be quiet.” “The location is fantastic. There is a dairy and take away within easy reach, a sports field and playground down the street.” While the weather is constantly changing it has a “good amount of rain” – a welcome change from South Africa. The greater feeling of safety and security of his new home also comes through. “I feel safe when driving. There’s just no risk of being hi-jacked. I feel safe sleeping in a house without burglar bars.”
Would Johan have done anything differently? “I would have done it earlier in my life. This is great!”
TARANAKI - LEGENDARY LIFESTYLE - LIKE NO OTHER
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NORTH TARANAKI Less than an hour’s drive from central New Plymouth, the lazily winding rivers, dramatic coastline, and lush landscape of North Taranaki make it a popular destination for visitors to the region. Lying between the Tasman Sea and the rugged landscape of the Uruti hill country, the North Taranaki landscape is made up of majestic rivers, long black-sand surf beaches and dramatic walkways. With its intense Maori and colonial history, North Taranaki offers an intriguing mix of beaches, golf courses, arts and crafts, gardens, walkways and historic sites. Visitors travelling to Taranaki by road from Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua will be greeted with a distant view of Mount Taranaki as they descend from the hilly heartland to the Taranaki region. The area is home to a number of walks, including the Whitecliffs Walkway between Tongaporutu and Pukearuhe, which winds its way for 9.6km along the clifftops and through lush green farmland, offering spectacular views. The coastline gets even more dramatic at sea level, where natural caves and rock formations stud the coastline including the huge stone sentinels known as the Three Sisters. This was one of the first areas in New Zealand to be inhabited by early Maori. Bountiful shellfish beds, fishing grounds, forests and rich soil supported a large population, and swamps in the area have yielded treasured carvings placed in the mud for safekeeping during times of danger. Tom Cruise and Warner Bros filmed The Last Samurai in the area in 2003, and visitors to the region are still interested in the Japanese village built deep within a lush Uruti farm. Waitara is North Taranaki’s largest town, established in 1839. It is now one of the energy centres of the region with the nearby giant Methanex methanol plants at Motunui and Waitara producing export methanol from natural gas piped to the plants from the Maui and Kapuni fields. Other tiny towns offer a glimpse into the region’s past, along with gourmet coffee and superb cuisine from contemporary cafes. These include Mokau, Awakino, Urenui and Onaero.
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TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
NEW PLYMOUTH CITY Visitors to New Plymouth will discover cosmopolitan cafes serving dangerously good coffee, museums and galleries, an inner-city rich in parks and gardens, and a vibrant events calendar, all in a spectacular coastal location in the shadow of a picture-perfect mountain.
explo
Taran ring aki’s distr icts
New Plymouth, the main settlement of Taranaki, offers an enviable mix of surfer cool and urban style. The vibe is decidedly relaxed, but don’t let that fool you into thinking nothing’s happening. New Plymouth is the hub of the region’s famous events programme. The world-renowned TSB Bowl of Brooklands – a stunning natural amphitheatre amidst the city’s central Pukekura Park – regularly swings to the sounds of international acts and iconic festivals. Performers from Sir Elton John and Fleetwood Mac to Jack Johnson and R.E.M. have played the Bowl, and it regularly attracts exclusive New Zealand performances. The TSB Bank Festival of Lights transforms Pukekura Park after dark over the summer months with a spectacular light show, and the World of Music, Arts and Dance - WOMAD - festival descends on the Bowl and neighbouring Brooklands Park in March each year. The city is traversed by a series of walkways and parks, making it easy to navigate on foot. The stunning New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, between city and sea, is the jewel in the walkway crown, with spectacular views, landscaping and art installations along its 10km. To get the low-down on the region’s history head to Puke Ariki, the city’s innovative library, museum and i-SITE Visitor Centre located in the centre of the burgeoning waterfront. For a more creative experience head around the corner to the internationally acclaimed Govett-Brewster Art Gallery which has been showing ground-breaking contemporary art for 40 years, and is home to the collection and archive of pioneering New Zealand filmmaker and artist Len Lye. It takes a lot to fuel all this, so it’s no wonder New Plymouth is rumoured to have more coffee roasters per head than anywhere else in the world. The range of cafes, restaurants and bars are well worth sampling, with every flavour on offer, using the freshest local ingredients. TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
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STRATFORD AND CENTRAL TARANAKI The gateway to Mount Taranaki and Egmont National Park, Stratford is Taranaki’s link to New Zealand’s landscape and its colonial history. The town – originally called Stratford-upon-Patea by early settlers - is named after the birthplace of Shakespeare. This is reflected in the town’s street names taken from 27 of The Bard’s plays, and New Zealand’s only Glockenspiel clock, which sees Romeo and Juliet emerge and perform at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm daily. The area was integral to the emergence of New Zealand’s dairy industry, and still has strong links to dairying, with the majority of the district in lush rolling countryside. Stratford and Central Taranaki offer a huge range of rural activities for visitors, including lush gardens, a range of authentic farmstay accommodation options and good sporting facilities, along with a nationallyrenowned speedway, racecourse and golf course. The small town of Eltham, 10 minutes drive south of Stratford, is a burgeoning destination, with an eclectic range of character and specialty shops. Running between Stratford and Taumarunui is the Forgotten World Highway which offers a three-hour trip through pristine sub-tropical rainforest past more than 30 sites of significant historical interest, such as the 85m Mt Damper Falls or historic Whangamomona Village with its welcoming country pub. Great views can be seen from the Tahora Saddle, the Moki Tunnel and Aotuhia’s Bridge to Somewhere. A short drive from Stratford are two access points to more than 300km of walking trails in Egmont National Park on Mount Taranaki. The southernmost of these, Dawson Falls, features short walks to a spectacular waterfall and Wilkies Pools, while the northern access road to the Stratford Mountain House provides access to the Manganui ski area and the Goblin Forest. Don’t miss the Taranaki Pioneer Village, Percy Thomson Gallery, Whangamomona’s biennial Republic Day in January or the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. Other settlements and districts in this area include historic Eltham, Toko, Kaponga, Pukengahu, Strathmore, Makahu, Midhirst, Ngaere, Tariki and Mangatoki.
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TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
HAWERA AND SOUTH TARANAKI Wedged between Mount Taranaki’s majestic cone and the Tasman Sea, South Taranaki boasts sufficient outdoor pursuits to satisfy even the most thrill-seeking visitor. From climbing to the top of Hawera’s historic water tower, ascending Mount Taranaki’s famous peak, surfing on some of the best breaks New Zealand has to offer, to simply breathing the spirit that is Parihaka - South Taranaki offers an experience like no other. South Taranaki is a district steeped in history. From Parihaka Pa, a symbol of peace and passive resistance around the world – to Turuturu Mokai – the scene of bloody battles and beheadings... South Taranaki has it all. Much of this rich past is vividly brought to life at Tawhiti Museum. Widely acclaimed as the best private museum in New Zealand, Tawhiti Museum offers an impressive visual history of Taranaki’s tumultuous and often bloody past. With a coastline stretching from Okato in the north to the Waitotara River in the south, the district is made up of a number of thriving communities. Hawera is the main centre and largest town in South Taranaki. With a bustling community of 9,000 it is home to many of the district’s key industries including one of the largest dairy factories in the world. On Surf Highway 45 the laid-back coastal town of Opunake is a popular hub for surfers and holiday makers seeking a relaxing destination. Other settlements in the district include Eltham, Kaponga, Manaia, Normanby, Patea and Waverley. In south and coastal Taranaki everything is at your doorstep - the Mountain and the sea are only a stone’s throw apart. Whether it’s magnificent coastline; the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki; clean, clear rivers and lakes; or countless sites of historic and cultural interest that you are after, then South Taranaki is the perfect destination.
TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
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KEY FACTS
KEY FACTS • Taranaki is situated on the western-most point of New Zealand’s North Island • The Taranaki region’s population is 108,000 and of these 72,000 live in the New Plymouth District • The Taranaki coast receives a 180 degree swell, so the surf is always pumping somewhere • We build some of the world’s flashest super yachts at Port Taranaki and fastest windsurfers are built around the Taranaki coast • The mountain at the centre of the region – Mount Taranaki – looks so much like Mount Fuji that it was used in the Tom Cruise movie The Last Samurai • New Plymouth was judged the best place in New Zealand to live by North and South magazine • It was also judged the best small city in the World by the United Nations Liveable Communities Awards • Legendary Kiwi Olympic runner Peter Snell originates from the coastal town of Opunake • New Plymouth became New Zealand’s first ‘international’ airport with the first ever trans-Tasman commercial flight landing there • Australians Justin Jones and James Castrission were the first people to kayak across the Tasman Sea, landing in New Plymouth after rowing 3318km in January 2008
CLIMATE AND WEATHER Taranaki experiences a unique climate and weather pattern by being close to mountain ranges and having land that protrudes into the Tasman Sea. The region is one of the first areas of New Zealand that the weather systems encounter. Taranaki receives good rainfall coverage but also high sunshine hours and moderate temperatures throughout the year with temperatures ranging from around 20 to 30 degrees in summer to 0 to 10 degrees in winter.
THE SEASONS:
SUMMER
December to February
AUTUMN
March to May
WINTER
June to August
SPRING
September to November
GETTING TO TARANAKI By Air: New Plymouth Airport is just a short flight from Auckland (47 flights a week), Wellington (32) and Christchurch (5). By Road: New Plymouth is a scenic 4.5 hour drive from both Auckland and Wellington, along State Highway 3.
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TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
Waterfall at Pukekura Park during the TSB Festival of Lights
TARANAKI - LIKE NO OTHER
45
Your guides to
Taranaki’s top adventures For the inside word on Taranaki’s top adventures, pick up one of these guides.
Taranaki – A Walker’s Guide
Taranaki Museums and Galleries
The best way to explore Taranaki is by foot, and this publication showcases 28 of the region’s top walks, treks and tramps.
In Taranaki there’s a museum for almost everything. This guide will make sure you don’t miss out on these showcases of the region’s past and present.
Taranaki Parks and Gardens
Forgotten World Highway Touring Route Brochure
See why Taranaki has become known as the garden of New Zealand with this guide to public parks and nationally and internationally significant gardens.
The official guide to the Forgotten World Highway, which travels from Taumarunui to Stratford passing over 30 points of historical and natural interest.
Taumarunui to New Plymouth Cycleway Guide
Surf Highway 45 Touring Route Brochure
The New Zealand Cycle Trail extends to Taranaki via a 180km scenic route. This guide gives you all the information you need to enjoy the ride.
There’s much more than great surf along Taranaki’s Surf Highway 45. Pick up this guide on what to see and do along the way.
Taranaki’s Top 50 Must Do Experiences Taranaki’s locals nominated their ‘Must Do’ experiences, adventures and activities. This illustrated guide presents the top 50.
Discover all this and much more at Taranaki’s i-SITE Visitor Centres New Plymouth i-SITE
Stratford i-SITE
South Taranaki i-SITE
Puke Ariki, 65 St Aubyn Street,
Corner of Prospero Place and
55 High Street, Hawera
New Plymouth
Miranda Street, Stratford
Phone +64 6 759 0897
Phone: +64 6 765 6708
Phone: +64 6 278 8599
Email: info@visitnewplymouth.co.nz
Email: info@stratford.govt.nz
Email: visitorinfo@stdc.govt.nz
Or visit the region’s official website www.taranaki.info
“GOVETT-BREWSTER THE
ART GALLERY -
SWINGIEST OF THE
ART GALLERY
ANTIPODES” LEN LYE
Artist Len Lye’s iconic Wind Wand kinetic sculpture on the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
VENTURE TARANAKI TARANAKI’S DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 9 ROBE STREET, PO BOX 670, NEW PLYMOUTH 4340, NEW ZEALAND TEL: +64 6 759 5150. EMAIL: INFO@VENTURE.ORG.NZ WEBSITE: WWW.TARANAKI.INFO
www.taranaki.info