New Plymouth Girls' High School New Plymouth & Taranaki Information

New Plymouth / Taranaki Information

Climate
All year round there is something to see and do. In the winter you can ski on Mount Taranaki and in the summer the beaches, streams and walking tracks are quite popular.

The best months to visit Taranaki are from December through January, February and into April. While the weather can change most days, over those months, the temperature tends to be pleasantly warm.

Taranaki - a region like no other
This is a region with a blend of natural beauty, attractions and activities and is becoming more well-known with an increasing number of visitors. It is described as 'real new Zealand' and presents a holiday destination with something for everyone.

A region well-known to tourists for:

Mount Taranaki - majestic and inspiring
Surfing - some of the best surf in the country
White Cliffs Coastline - spectacular scenery
Gardens - the region's gardens have earned an international reputation
Artists - see what you can find in galleries and studios
Adventure Pursuits - outdoor activities to thrill most people
Events - there is quite a mix and always something on

Main Events for Visitors

Rhododendron Festival (late October – November every year)
International Triathlon (ITU) (November)
Festival of Lights (December – February)
Taranaki Round the Mountain Cycle Challenge (January)
Mad March - (March every year at the Bowl of Brooklands)
Taranaki Festival of Arts (July)

Population
The official Taranaki population from the last New Zealand census (2001) was 102,858 people and it's growing! The majority of these people are located in the city of New Plymouth and towns below.

Main City/towns

New Plymouth
Hawera
Stratford
Opunake
Inglewood
Oakura

Regions Key Industries
Taranaki is a vibrant region and is growing at around 5% per year. It has a number of key industries important to the regional economy:

Dairy
Oil & Gas
Engineering
Tourism
Exporters
Horticulture