New Plymouth (New Zealand)

New Plymouth is a port city in New Zealand, located on North Island (Taranaki region). The city has population around 80,000. The city is named after Plymouth (England UK) from where the British settlers once migrated. The same-named District includes the city plus several smaller towns. New Plymouth District is NZ's 10th largest and has around 1,7% of the country's population.

New Plymouth is located at the western extremity of North Island (NZ). The region's dominating feature is Mt Taranaki (Egmont) - a symmetrical volcanic cone of 2518 m (8261 ft). The city is best known for its close proximity to the mountain - within just 30 min drive. This destination is very popular among both locals and tourists to New Plymouth as here they can enjoy as same-day activities hiking, skiing, snowboarding, water skiing and surfing.

Dairy products are the main export from the area. Other features include the Pukekura Park (with 21 hectares of gardens, lakes and streams), Brooklands Park (with an outdoor theatre), Barrett Domain (with a wonderful stand of kauri/Agathis australis), as well as the world-famous Bird Sanctuary and Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust Park.

Behind Port New Plymouth (locode NZNPL) was a hill named Pukeariki that was a burial place for principal chiefs of the region. The first European settlers in the area were whalers and they established themselves in 1828 at Ngamotu Beach. Subsequent settlement emerged in 1841 when Plymouth Company (subsidiary of New Zealand Company) laid out the town. 

Next to the foreshore is Puke Ariki – the first in the world purpose-built, fully integrated museum, library and information center. Nearby is the contemporary art museum Len Lye Centre which includes a purpose-built center next to the gallery housing the collection of kinetic artist and filmmaker Len Lye. It opened in 2015 and made New Plymouth a world center for Len Lye. The museum is the world's first to be dedicated to one person.

Coastal Walkway is a 13-km / 8-mi long path forming an expansive promenade stretching almost the entire length of New Plymouth - from Bell Block to Port Taranaki. The pathway includes Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and is used for walking, running, skating, cycling. It has won many awards, including 2008's Cycle Friendly Award for the NZ's best cycle facility.