Taranaki New Zealand

Taranaki New Zealand is located on the western side of the country’s North Island. Mount Taranaki, an active volcano in Edgmont National Park, dominates the landscape.

This mountainous and coastal region has as its main center the port city of New Plymouth. Sixty-five (65%) of Taranaki’s population live there. Taranaki promotes itself as, “like no other.”

Taranaki New Zealand — A Bit of History

In the thirteenth (13th) century Taranaki New Zealand became the home of several Maori tribes. Traders and European whalers began to arrive in the nineteenth (19th) century. The traders came to buy flax.

In 1841 European settlement began in New Plymouth. The Maori prevented European expansion beyond New Plymouth as they opposed selling their land.

War broke out in 1860 not only over land ownership but also because of the insistence of the government to impose British law on the Maori. Imperial troops and volunteer soldiers were brought in from Australia and greatly outnumbered the Maori.

After a truce was negotiated a year later, it was broken in 1863. This time about 5,000 troops were brought in to fight the second Taranaki War against around 1500 men, women, and children. The government confiscated nearly a million acres of land (4000 km).

Some land was reclaimed by armed Maori resistance. In later years the New Zealand Government acknowledged that the confiscations were illegal.

Some Interesting Facts About Taranaki

• Mount Taranaki is the second-highest mountain on the North Island
• the land in the area is extremely fertile due to the rich volcanic soil and rainfall
• the area has gorgeous black-sand beaches
• New Zealand regularly experiences four seasons in one day
• hiking, mountain biking, and volcano climbing are popular activities
• dairy farming is the main industry and the area has large oil and gas deposits
• they have world-class surfing and windsurfing locations
• you can surf at the beach and hike in the rainforest
• the population of Taranaki New Zealand is approximately 128,700
• there is a strong Maori presence in the culture
• the economy is based on dairy farming, manufacturing, and hydrocarbon exploration
• the region has the largest milk production facility by volume in the world
• the region is known for its world-class project management and design engineering skills
• Mount Taranaki resembles Mt. Fuji in Japan
• the movie The Last Samurai was filmed in Taranaki
• the region has rugby, basketball, and cricket national teams
• Air New Zealand has direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It is about a four (4) to five (5) hour drive from Auckland to New Plymouth. You can also fly into the New Plymouth domestic airport.

Things to Do in Taranaki New Zealand

• Climb Paritutu Rock — part of an ancient volcanic crater it is a short drive away or can be reached by the Coastal Walkway. It is 511 feet (156 meters) high and provides excellent views of Mount Taranaki, Port Taranaki, Back Beach, and the Sugarloaf Islands. It is a challenging experience to get to the top.
• The Puke Ariki Museum — it has many interesting displays that kids will enjoy. A model of a giant shark, Maori artifacts, info on geology and wildlife, data on Mount Taranaki, and some history on the immigrants from South England.
• Dawson Falls Visitor Center — located about one (1) hour from New Plymouth this is a starting point for numerous trails and to explore the waterfalls.
• The White Cliffs — the cliffs have numerous caves and provide a gorgeous display of colors. Great place for a walk on the black sand beach. Further north down the coast are the Three Sisters rock formations.
• Cycling — one of the best places to cycle is the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway. It extends from Port Taranaki to Bell Block Beach approximately eight (8) miles (13 km). The scenery is fantastic with nice views of Mount Taranaki, the sea, farmland, and the beaches. You will also view the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and the Len Lye Wind Wand, a kinetic sculpture that bends with the wind.
• Back Beach — a great place to take a walk with some of the best scenery in the area. It’s a black sand beach surrounded by orange cliffs. The Sugarloaf Islands are just offshore. It’s great for surfing with its large waves. It is right near Paritutu Centennial Park.
• White Hart Hotel — this Victorian building was constructed in 1886. Its courtyard has a few very good places to eat including Ms White Pizza, the Public Catering Company (daytime cafe), and Snug Lounge with Japanese small plates and cocktails.
• Pouakai Tarn — the hike begins at Mangorei Road and can be a one-day Pouakai Crossing (18.4 km/11.4 miles) or a two (2) to three (3) day Pouakai Circuit best done during the summer. It is a challenging hike mostly uphill through the forest but from the tarn there’s a great view of Mount Taranaki with all the details of its texture and colors. You can also see Mt. Ruapehhu and Mt. Ngauruhoe in the distance. The tarn is a small pond that is positioned in a way that it reflects Mount Taranaki perfectly. Pouakai Hut is about twenty (20) minutes from the tarn for those who want to stay overnight.
• Surf Highway 45 — this highway extends 65 miles (105 km) from New Plymouth to Hawera. This is a very scenic coastal road that has several surfing spots along the way.
• Lake Mangamahoe — only fifteen (15) miles from New Plymouth it is a scenic place to hike with an incredible view of Mount Taranaki.
• Te Rewa Rewa Bridge — this is a very unique pedestrian and cycle bridge, shaped like a breaking wave, and presents an excellent view of Mount Taranaki.
• Pukekura Park — this large botanical garden is near the city center. A great view of Mount Taranaki can be seen from the tea house at the pond which has a red bridge. There are also fern gardens, a waterfall, and an indoor greenhouse. The Festival of Lights is hosted here each summer.
• Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Center — this is a contemporary art gallery that has changing exhibitions throughout the year, and the other part of the gallery is devoted to New Zealand filmmaker and kinetic sculptor Len Lye.
• New Plymouth Cafes — there are several places for brunch and coffee. The Ozone roasts their own beans and also has great sandwiches and hot chocolate. Another great place for brunch is Chaos. A nice bakery is the Billow with sourdough bread, delicious pastries, and tasty sandwiches. At the beach town, Okato, you’ll find Lemonwood, a vegan cate with excellent breakfast and lunch. Escape Coffee Roasters has an interesting building with a fascinating mural.
• Mount Taranaki — located at the heart of the rainforest of Egmont National Park with numerous trails in the foothills and many access points. In the summer a hike to the summit takes approximately nine (9) hours. This is sacred ground to the Maori.
• Oakura — this is a beach town along the Surf Highway with a black sand beach. This area is great for surfing or walking the beach, especially at sunset. It’s a small town with some great places to grab a bite to eat.
• Surfing & Windsurfing– there are many excellent locations for these activities throughout the area.
• Cuisine — the food here is a mixture of British and Maori influences. Lots of fruits and vegetables as well as seafood. This is a diverse food experience from Paua, an expensive seafood dish, to savory pies filled with steak and cheese. From a nice vineyard dinner at Marlborough to romantic seaside dining, there is much from which to choose.

Why Visit Taranaki?

There is much to see and do in Taranaki New Zealand from visiting parks and gardens, surfing and swimming, and taking romantic walks on the black sand beaches. Also, you can experience world-class concerts and events.

There is a wide range of accommodations ranging from hotels to Airbnb, and luxury retreats and lodges.

Here is a website that gives a good overview of the many options for accommodations in Taranaki New Zealand.

The wild natural beauty, pristine coastline, and the symmetrical volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki make this a very inviting part of the world to visit. Consider adding this natural paradise to your destination list.

Happy Travels,

Joseph William

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