Taranaki - like no other

PHOTO: Mt Taranaki

The moment you touch down at New Plymouth Airport or glimpse Mount Taranaki's perfect slopes from one of the roads into the province, you'll relax into a legendary region that is just far enough away from the distractions of the rest of New Zealand.

Taranaki offers a unique blend of history, innovation and adventure that will delight any
visitor. With a lush backdrop of incredible scenery that comes alive in spring, this region offers a destination that is truly ‘like no other'.

The Best of Kiwi Culture

From the volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki to the ancient pa sites that have indelibly marked hilltops, to the diverse range of public and private museums, it's almost impossible not to get drawn into Taranaki's rich history.

Taranaki's past begins with a love story - that of Mount Taranaki and pretty Pihanga on the Central Plateau. Taranaki lost Pihanga's love, and made a lonely trek west, his trail of tears forming the Whanganui River. If you catch the mountain behind clouds it is said he is hiding the tears he still sheds for his lost love.

The 2518m volcanic peak of Mt Taranaki last erupted in 1755, though it's hard to imagine that the now peaceful mountain hides such a dramatic past.

Following Mt Taranaki's footsteps through the Forgotten World Highway, the official touring route between Taumarunui and Stratford, will take you along early Maori walking tracks and through the region's pioneering past. Here the dense bush has won its battle with ambitious farmers.

As you drive through the province, you will pass through a battleground of a different sort in the form of the immense ancient Pa sites that are painstakingly carved into Taranaki's hilltops. One of the most remarkable of these sites is Turuturu Mokai, just out of Hawera, which is the home of phenomenal earthworks, and saw vicious fighting in both pre and post colonial times.

A short drive away is Tawhiti Museum, widely regarded as New Zealand's best private museum. The creation of artist Nigel Ogle, Tawhiti Museum has transformed an old dairy factory into an incredible journey through Taranaki's history, told with thousands of unique hand-made scale and life-sized models and artifacts. The other must-see history attraction in Taranaki this spring is the innovative Puke Ariki museum and information complex on New Plymouth's waterfront. Puke Ariki expands on the pioneering theme and tells even more of Taranaki's story through a series of interactive and changing exhibitions.

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 greatest artists. The creative influence of the mountain extends right around its base, with arts trails in New Plymouth, Oakura, and South Taranaki taking you on a journey through bustling studios well stocked galleries and interesting public art.

Of these rapidly emerging art spaces, Stratford's Percy Thomson Gallery and New Plymouth's TART Gallery are worth a visit to experience the spectrum of what's happening in the Taranaki art scene. The jewel in Taranaki's creative crown is undoubtedly the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery which first opened its doors in 1970, and continues to present an ever-changing exhibitions and events programme with a specific focus on contemporary art from New Zealand and the Pacific Rim.

The Govett-Brewster is also home to the collection and archive of the late Kiwi artist and filmmaker Len Lye, whose contemplative 45m kinetic sculpture the Wind Wand has pride of place on New Plymouth's foreshore.

A Unique Natural Environment

Taranaki offers a truly unique natural environment, centered around picture-perfect Mount Taranaki, and there are many opportunities to experience the clear streams, diverse alpine environments and spectacular scenery of Egmont National Park.

Beyond the Mountain there are lush green fields, home to thriving dairy and food production industries that have buoyed the Taranaki economy for centuries. To the west of the region lies the vivid Tasman Sea and inland dark hills covered in omnipresent native bush.

Throughout this landscape are many unique spots, from Lake Mangamahoe and its postcard views of the Mountain to the tranquility of South Taranaki's Lake Rotorangi, the longest man-made hydro lake in New Zealand on the Patea River.

Garden Delights

Taranaki gardens are so spectacular in spring that they have their own festival. The annual Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival, attracts more and more visitors to the region. The Rhododendron and Garden Festival runs from late October to early November and showcases 50 of Taranaki's best gardens, along with a vibrant events programme.

But there is much more to this region's gardens than just the festival, Taranaki is an inspiring destination for garden lovers all year round, but really blossoms in the spring. From the native to the architectural, interesting gardens are located in every corner of the province, even in the foothills of Mt Taranaki, as is the case with world renowned Pukeiti Garden, a 360 hectare rain forest garden that offers many easy walks on grassed tracks. Pukeiti features more than 10,000 rhododendrons, including 500 of the 800 known varieties.

In the heart of New Plymouth, Pukekura Park is also a major drawcard for garden lovers. The extensive park contains a huge range of landscapes, including plant collections, exotic specimen trees, formal gardens and lakes and bush walking.

The Events Capital

Taranaki is also an events destination, with a range if iconic and touring events happening throughout the year.

The World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) descends on the majestic Bowl of Brooklands each March, bringing the unique natural amphitheatre and surrounding Brooklands Park alive with a unique three-day festival of world music and culture. The Bowl is also the home of many spectacular one-off concerts in the summer months, hosting the likes of Sir Elton John, REM and Jack Johnson in recent years.

The history of Parihaka is remembered each year with the Parihaka Peace Festival, a multi-day celebration of peace at the birthplace of passive resistance. A festival of a different kind is AmeriCARna, a week-long region-wide salute to the design and culture of the American Automobile.

Sports are not overlooked in this action-filled province, with major surfing events, an annual triathlon festival featuring many of the world's best, major cycling and running challenges around Mount Taranaki, and national events in many other sports hosted throughout the region.

Six Foot and Glassy

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.

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.

Surf Highway 45 offers more than great waves and fabulous beaches. Cafes, craft shops and sightseeing attractions such as the Cape Egmont Lighthouse make this a great scenic drive even if you're not inclined to paddle out.

Walking choices

Those who prefer their sporting adventures on dry land will delight in exploring Taranaki's walking trails this spring. From short coastal excursions to multi-day alpine adventures, Taranaki offers a walk for everyone who likes to get out in the fresh air.

The most accessible of Taranaki's walks is perhaps the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, the award-winning 7km promenade along the edge of the Tasman Sea.

At the other end of the scale is the Pouakai Circuit, a spectacular two-day loop on the Northern slopes of Mt Taranaki. Taking walkers from lush native goblin forests, and above the treeline through the tussock, this world-class walk provides the intrepid walker with a truly Taranaki walking experience, incredible views, and unique scenery.

Taranaki. It really is a destination ‘like no other'.

More Information

New Plymouth i-SITE
Puke Ariki, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Ph 06 759 6060
Email: info@npdc.govt.nz

Stratford i-SITE
Miranda Street, Stratford
Ph 06 765 6708
Email: info@stratford.govt.nz

South Taranaki i-SITE
55 High Street, Hawera
Ph 06 278 8599
Email: visitorinfo@stdc.govt.nz

Visit www.taranaki.info