 Famous for its
superb parks and annual Rhododendron Festival, New Plymouth is a
gardeners delight! Pukekura Park is well worth visiting with 49
hectares of gardens, bush walks, streams waterfalls, ponds and a
café. The lights and decorations in the grounds during December
and January are a must see! Brooklands Park adjoins Pukekura and
includes a 2000-year-old puriri tree, 300 different varieties of
Rhododendron and a children’s zoo. Kawaroa Park, on the
waterfront, is also home to the aquatic leisure centre with
heated indoor and outdoor pools with waterslides and wave
machine!
 The Taranaki
Museums is extremely good with superb collections of Maori
artefacts, whale and moa skeletons, and old painting and etchings
- some dating back to the early 1800’s. For art lovers and
critics, The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery has a good reputation
for its adventurous shows. It also houses a permanent display of
work by the internationally renowned artist and filmmaker Len
Lye.
Recognised by New Zealanders as important for the supply and
distribution of petrochemicals and energy, the local economy also
boasts agriculture with a strong dairying emphasis as well
as aquaculture, floriculture, horticulture and forestry. Port
Taranaki is the only deepwater port on New Zealand’s west
coast and is one of the county’s largest.
 With venues capable of seating up to1000 delegates, and centrally
situated between Auckland and Wellington, New Plymouth is a
perfect location for cost effective conferences. Accommodation here easily caters for the corporate
visitor and the holidaymaker. Be it central city or a unique
natural setting at the base of the mountain, New Plymouth offers
a variety of options; hostels, campgrounds, Bed & Breakfasts,
homestays, farmstays, hotels, self-catering motels and lodges.
Food and entertainment is consistent with that offered in other
small centres – always a huge variety, some good, some not
so good!
The highlights of any visit to this colourful and diverse region
would have to be walking and climbing the awe-inspiring Mt
Taranaki Volcano, visiting the many historical sites, windsurfing
or surfing, and relaxing in immaculate gardens. Seemingly ideal
for adventure seekers, the history and vibrancy of the area is
interesting to all.
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