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  • Taranaki is a region on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island,

  • about a five- hour drive south of Auckland.

  • It is named after the dramatic volcanic mountain

  • that dominates its skyline,

  • and known for its spectacular landscapes,

  • Set against a canvas of endless hiking tracks,

  • pristine surf breaks and world-class skiing,

  • Taranaki is a region where nature and creativity are intimately entwined.

  • Art is everywhere here.

  • It’s in the jaw dropping landscapes.

  • It’s in the art trails and festivals peppered throughout the region.

  • It’s even in the bridges and on the wind.

  • New Plymouth, Taranaki’s main city, has a huge stature

  • in the world of contemporary art despite its humble size.

  • Start your adventures at the arresting Len Lye Centre

  • and the adjoining Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

  • Len Lye was a maverick kinetic sculptor and experimental film maker

  • whose work is now deeply embedded in the town’s identity.

  • Wander to the waterfront and take a look at his famous work,

  • the Wind Wand,

  • a 157 foot kinetic sculpture that changes with the weather.

  • Follow the Coastal Walkway,

  • a promenade that links the town centre to many of its beautiful parks

  • and black sand beaches such as Fitzroy and East End.

  • Art meets nature again at the Te Rewa Rewa bridge.

  • This award winning bridge spans the Waiwhakaiho River

  • and evokes the power of an enormous wave.

  • No matter where you are in New Plymouth,

  • Mount Taranaki is never far from sight,

  • a constant reminder of how richly this region has been blessed by nature.

  • Make the climb to the top of Paritutu Rock,

  • or discover a rich diversity of marine life

  • at the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Reserve.

  • At Pukekura Park, right in the heart of the city,

  • light itself becomes the artist as it reflects off the lakes.

  • If you are visiting don’t miss the festival of lights

  • which transforms the entire park.

  • In 1956, a natural amphitheatre was converted into the Bowl of Brooklands

  • which has been one of New Zealand’s finest concert venues ever since.

  • It is also home to the world famous WOMAD festival,

  • the Brooklands Zoo,

  • and the picturesquePoet's Bridge.”

  • This bridge was named not after a local poet as the name suggests

  • but after a racehorse whose winnings provided the funds to build it.

  • Conservation and a deep respect for the past is also evident

  • in the many museums throughout New Plymouth,

  • such as Puke Ariki.

  • Explore the interactive exhibits and an ever-changing program of events

  • that delve into the region’s history.

  • No visit to Taranaki is complete without getting close

  • to the powerful presence that stands at the heart of the entire region.

  • Follow Surf Highway 45 to the Egmont National Park

  • where Mt. Taranaki reigns supreme.

  • On the westernmost point of the Taranaki coast stands

  • Cape Egmont Lighthouse which has been protecting ships from

  • the treacherous Tasman since 1881.

  • Drive north to Lake Mangamahoe,

  • a magnet for those who love hiking and riding.

  • The series of picture-perfect surf breaks along the coast

  • lead to the dramatic rock formations known as the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock.

  • Once there were four sisters,

  • but the sea is slowly reclaiming these natural sculptures one at a time.

  • It is sometimes said, that great art picks up where nature ends.

  • The longer you spend in Taranaki, with its spectacular scenery,

  • powerful artistic legacy and epic outdoor adventures,

  • the more you realise that the two are so closely linked

  • it is sometimes impossible to tell the difference.

Taranaki is a region on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island,

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