New Plymouth
Encyclopedia
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island
of New Zealand
. It is named after Plymouth
, Devon
, England, from where the first English
settlers migrated.
New Plymouth District
includes New Plymouth City and several smaller towns. New Plymouth District is the 15th largest district (out of 73) in New Zealand, and has 1.7 percent of New Zealand's population.
New Plymouth District has a population of 68,901 – nearly two thirds of the total population of the Taranaki Region. This includes – New Plymouth City , Waitara (6,288), Inglewood (3,090), Oakura (1,359), Okato (531) and Urenui (429).
The city is a service centre for the region's principal economic activities including intensive pastoral activities (mainly dairy farming
) as well as oil
, natural gas
and petrochemical
exploration and production. It is also the region's financial centre as the home of the TSB Bank (formerly the Taranaki Savings Bank), the largest of the remaining non-government New Zealand-owned banks.
Notable features are the botanic gardens (e.g. Pukekura Park
), the 10 km (6.2 mi) Coastal Walkway alongside the Tasman Sea, the Len Lye
-designed 45 metres (147.6 ft) artwork known as the Wind Wand
, and views of Mount Taranaki/Egmont.
In 2008, New Plymouth won multiple awards as a city. The city was in 2010 chosen as one of two walking & cycling "Model Communities" by the government. Based on New Plymouth's already positive attitude towards cyclists and pedestrians, the city will receive $3.71m to invest into infrastructure and community programs to boost walking and cycling.
It is also noted for being a coastal city with a mountain within 30 minutes drive, where residents and visitors to New Plymouth can snowboard, ski, water ski and surf all in the same day.
(1807–47) set up a trading post at Ngamotu after arriving on the trading vessel Adventure. Barrett traded with the local Māori and helped negotiate the purchase of land from them on behalf of the New Zealand Company
. Settlers were selected by the Plymouth Company, which was set up to attract emigrants from the West Country
of England, and which took over land initially purchased by the New Zealand Company. The first of the town’s settlers arrived on the William Bryan, which anchored off the coast on 31 March 1841. A series of disputes over ownership and settlement of land developed between Māori and settlers soon after and New Plymouth became a fortified garrison town in 1860–1861 as more than 3500 Imperial soldiers, as well as local volunteers and militia, fought Māori in the First Taranaki War
.
created the New Plymouth Province, with a Provincial Council given jurisdiction over an area of 400,000ha. Five years later the name of the province changed to Taranaki Province
. The province was abolished in 1876.
The Fitzroy Town District was merged with New Plymouth borough in August 1911; Vogeltown, Frankleigh Park
and Westown were added a year later, followed by St Aubyn-Moturoa. By 1913 the town had a population of 7538. Seafront land was added in 1931 and 1941; land acquired on Omata Rd was added in 1955 and in 1960 large areas including land to the south of Paritutu, as well as Hurdon, Ferndale and Huatoki were included, as well as land straddling Mangorei Rd between the Henui Stream and Waiwakaiho River.
New Plymouth was declared a city in 1949.
Every three years the Mayor, 14 councillors and 16 community board members are elected by the New Plymouth District’s enrolled voters. The full council, sub-committees and standing committees meet on a six-weekly cycle.
The Policy and Monitoring standing committees have delegated authority from the council to make final decisions on certain matters, and they make recommendations to the council on all others. The four community boards–Clifton, Waitara, Inglewood and Kaitake–as well as the subcommittees and working parties can make recommendations to the standing committees for them to consider.
The third standing committee, the Hearings Commission, is a quasi-judicial body that meets whenever a formal hearing is required–for instance, to hear submissions on a publicly notified resource consent application.
The Chief Executive and approximately 460 full time equivalent staff provide advice and information to the elected members and the public, implement council decisions and manage the district’s day-to-day operations.
This includes everything from maintaining more than 280 parks and reserves, waste water management and issuing consents and permits, through to providing libraries and other recreational services and ensuring the district’s eateries meet health standards.
New Plymouth District Council's annual operating revenue for 2008/2009 is more than $188 million. Visit the
NPDC website for more information.
.
It is the 11th busiest airport in New Zealand, with scheduled services to Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.
was initially designed to run on coal but constructed to be fueled by natural gas
or fuel oil. This is a thermal power station
with a steam turbine, commenced operation in 1974 with units progressively decommissioned from 2000 with one left operating in 2008.
Companies began searching for oil on the New Plymouth coast in 1865 after small deposits of thick oil were found on the shoreline. The first commercial quantities of oil were obtained in January 1866. Exploration continued sporadically and a refinery opened in 1913. Production ceased about 1972. The offshore Maui A well
began production of natural gas in the late 1970s, sparking a flourishing energy and petrochemical industry. As Maui A’s resources decline, new sites in Taranaki are being developed in an effort to find more commercial petrochemical reserves.
An 18 km (11.2 mi) railway link between New Plymouth and Waitara
was completed in 1875; this later became the Waitara Branch. The next year, work began on a line south to Stratford
, which was reached in 1879, followed by Hawera
in 1881. This line, known as the Marton - New Plymouth Line, was completed on 23 March 1885, and when the Wellington - Manawatu Line
of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company was opened on 3 November 1886, a direct railway link was established to Wellington. The original routing through the centre of the town was replaced in 1907 by an alignment along the foreshore, which remains today. The New Plymouth Express
passenger train began operating on this route in December 1886. In 1926, it was augmented by the Taranaki Flyer
for the run between New Plymouth and Wanganui, A direct railway route to Auckland was not established until 1932, when the Stratford - Okahukura Line was completed; the next year, when the line was handed over from the Public Works Department
to the New Zealand Railways Department
, the New Plymouth Night Express
began operating to Auckland. All carriage trains were replaced by RM class
Standard
and 88 seater
railcar
s by 1956. The Wanganui service ceased in 1959; the Auckland service was truncated to terminate in Taumarunui
from 1971; and the Wellington service was cancelled on 30 July 1977. On 11 February 1978, the Taumarunui railcar was replaced by a passenger train, but it was ultimately cancelled on 21 January 1983. Since this date, the only passenger trains to operate to New Plymouth have been infrequent excursions operated by railway preservation societies.
The breakwater at Ngamotu was completed in 1883, providing safe berthage for vessels, and the Moturoa wharf was completed in 1888. Port Taranaki
is a critical transport link for the region and the only deep water port on the west coast of New Zealand.
In 1916 the city's electric tramway
system began and petrol-powered buses began running four years later. Trams were scrapped in 1954.
The first aircraft landed at the racecourse in 1920 and commercial flights began using the airport at Bell Block in June 1937. During World War II this grass airfield became RNZAF Bell Block; and was replaced in 1966 by the current tarmac airport
, 3 km (1.9 mi) NE of the old airport site.
Among the city's major industrial companies was Ivon Watkins-Dow, an agricultural chemicals company founded in 1944 by brothers Ivon, Harry and Dan Watkins and joined as a partner 20 years later by Dow Chemicals of Michigan
. The company ran a factory at Paritutu making the herbicide 2,4,5-T. A 2005 study found that people who lived close to the Ivon Watkins-Dow plant between 1962 and 1987 were likely to have dioxin levels on average four times higher than the general public. In some groups the level was as much as seven times as high. A Public Health Medicine senior adviser has claimed that based on international findings, the residents' exposure to dioxin may cause increased rates of disease, in particular cancer
. In March 2007 the Ministry of Health announced it would offer a major health support programme to anyone affected.
In April 2008 the Ministry clarified that the programme's main feature would be a free annual medical check up for those who had lived, worked or studied close to the factory.
and the G-TARanaki Guitar Festival
, and the biennial Taranaki Arts Festival), sports fixtures (including international rugby, cricket and tennis matches, and the annual ITU World Cup Triathlon) and concerts (from Sir Elton John, Jack Johnson, Westlife, R.E.M and Fleetwood Mac).
With its rich volcanic soil, the city is well known for its gardens. Chief among them are the 52 ha Pukekura Park
in the centre of the city (named a Garden of National Significance), and Pukeiti, a rhododendron
garden of international significance high on the Pouakai Range.
Pukekura Park is also the home of the TSB Bank Festival of Lights
, which runs for free every year from mid-December to early February. It has daytime and night time programmes of events for people of all ages, and the festival itself transforms the park into an illuminated wonderland every evening.
Next to the foreshore in the central city is Puke Ariki
– the world’s first purpose-built, fully integrated museum, library and information centre which tells the stories of Taranaki in a variety of interactive media.
Nearby is the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
, a contemporary art museum and the home of the collection of film maker and kinetic artist Len Lye
. Plans are in place to house Lye's collection in a purpose-built centre next to the gallery, making New Plymouth the world centre for Len Lye.
The Coastal Walkway is a 7 km path that forms an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching almost the entire length of the city, from the Bell Block
mouth in the east to Port Taranaki in the west. The pathway includes the iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
and is ideal for walking, running, cycling or skating, or simply enjoying the view of the dramatic west coast. It has won numerous awards, including the Cycle Friendly Award
in 2008 for the best New Zealand cycle facility.
Right next to the Coastal Walkway is the Todd Energy
Aquatic Centre, with indoor and outdoor pools, a diving pool, wave machine, hydroslides, spa, sauna and gym.
Mount Taranaki/Egmont provides recreation opportunities, from skiing and snowboarding to rock climbing and alpine walks. The North Egmont Visitors Centre is 20 minutes' drive from central New Plymouth.
Taranaki is known as big wave territory with some of the country's best surfing spots found off this coastline.
The region has 20 golf courses, ranging from nine-hole country courses where you have to move the sheep, through to Ngamotu Links–consistently rated one of the best golf courses in New Zealand. All 20 golf courses are within an hour’s drive of each other.
Centre City Shopping Centre
is the only mall
in New Plymouth. It contains over 55 shops and services.
The city also won three awards at the 11th International Awards for Liveable Communities held in Dongguan, China, 6–10 November 2008:
, Lynmouth
, Mangorei
, Marfell
, Merrilands
, Moturoa
, Spotswood
, Vogeltown
, Welbourn
and Westown
. The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki
has its main campus in central New Plymouth.
In the inner city, New Plymouth Boys' High School
and New Plymouth Girls' High School are single-sex secondary (years 9–13) schools with rolls of 1219 and 1218 respectively. The Boys' School was founded in 1882. The decile ratings
of the two schools are 8 and 7, respectively.
Central School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) schools with a roll of 212 and a decile rating of 8. Central School opened in 1884.
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is named after Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England, from where the first English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
settlers migrated.
New Plymouth District
New Plymouth District
New Plymouth District is one of the districts of New Zealand. It includes the city of New Plymouth and smaller towns such as Inglewood and Waitara....
includes New Plymouth City and several smaller towns. New Plymouth District is the 15th largest district (out of 73) in New Zealand, and has 1.7 percent of New Zealand's population.
New Plymouth District has a population of 68,901 – nearly two thirds of the total population of the Taranaki Region. This includes – New Plymouth City , Waitara (6,288), Inglewood (3,090), Oakura (1,359), Okato (531) and Urenui (429).
The city is a service centre for the region's principal economic activities including intensive pastoral activities (mainly dairy farming
Dairy farming
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...
) as well as oil
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
, natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
and petrochemical
Petrochemical
Petrochemicals are chemical products derived from petroleum. Some chemical compounds made from petroleum are also obtained from other fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, or renewable sources such as corn or sugar cane....
exploration and production. It is also the region's financial centre as the home of the TSB Bank (formerly the Taranaki Savings Bank), the largest of the remaining non-government New Zealand-owned banks.
Notable features are the botanic gardens (e.g. Pukekura Park
Pukekura Park
thumb|right|The main lake at Pukekura, with Poet's Bridge and [[Mount Taranaki/Egmont|Mount Taranaki]] in the backgroundPukekura Park is a Garden of National Significance, covering 52ha near the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki in New Zealand....
), the 10 km (6.2 mi) Coastal Walkway alongside the Tasman Sea, the Len Lye
Len Lye
Len Lye, born Leonard Charles Huia Lye , was a Christchurch, New Zealand-born artist known primarily for his experimental films and kinetic sculpture. His films are held in archives such as the New Zealand Film Archive, British Film Institute, Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Pacific...
-designed 45 metres (147.6 ft) artwork known as the Wind Wand
Wind Wand
The Wind Wand is a 48-metre kinetic sculpture located in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The sculpture includes a 45-metre tube of red fibreglass, and was made to designs by artist Len Lye. To residents, it is one of the main icons of New Plymouth. Originally installed in December 1999 along with the...
, and views of Mount Taranaki/Egmont.
In 2008, New Plymouth won multiple awards as a city. The city was in 2010 chosen as one of two walking & cycling "Model Communities" by the government. Based on New Plymouth's already positive attitude towards cyclists and pedestrians, the city will receive $3.71m to invest into infrastructure and community programs to boost walking and cycling.
It is also noted for being a coastal city with a mountain within 30 minutes drive, where residents and visitors to New Plymouth can snowboard, ski, water ski and surf all in the same day.
History
In 1828 Richard "Dicky" BarrettDicky Barrett (trader)
Richard "Dicky" Barrett was one of the first white traders to be based in New Zealand. He lent his translation skills to help negotiate the first land purchases from Maori in New Plymouth and Wellington and became a key figure in the establishment of the settlement of New Plymouth...
(1807–47) set up a trading post at Ngamotu after arriving on the trading vessel Adventure. Barrett traded with the local Māori and helped negotiate the purchase of land from them on behalf of the New Zealand Company
New Zealand Company
The New Zealand Company originated in London in 1837 as the New Zealand Association with the aim of promoting the "systematic" colonisation of New Zealand. The association, and later the company, intended to follow the colonising principles of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who envisaged the creation of...
. Settlers were selected by the Plymouth Company, which was set up to attract emigrants from the West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
of England, and which took over land initially purchased by the New Zealand Company. The first of the town’s settlers arrived on the William Bryan, which anchored off the coast on 31 March 1841. A series of disputes over ownership and settlement of land developed between Māori and settlers soon after and New Plymouth became a fortified garrison town in 1860–1861 as more than 3500 Imperial soldiers, as well as local volunteers and militia, fought Māori in the First Taranaki War
First Taranaki War
The First Taranaki War was an armed conflict over land ownership and sovereignty that took place between Māori and the New Zealand Government in the Taranaki district of New Zealand's North Island from March 1860 to March 1861....
.
New Plymouth Province
The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852New Zealand Constitution Act 1852
The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that granted self-government to the colony of New Zealand...
created the New Plymouth Province, with a Provincial Council given jurisdiction over an area of 400,000ha. Five years later the name of the province changed to Taranaki Province
Taranaki Province
The Taranaki Province was a province of New Zealand from 1853 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876...
. The province was abolished in 1876.
Borough/City of New Plymouth
A Town Board was formed in 1863 and in August 1876 the town was constituted as a borough. Its new status did little to overcome some outside perceptions, however. In 1876 author E. W. Payton wrote that "all the great bustling 'cities' of the colony had a patronising way of trying to snub New Plymouth, referring to it in such derogatory terms as the dullest hole in the colony ... nothing whatever to do there... I find a great liking for this 'slow, old hole' ... it is a quiet, unassuming place and has not done so much to attract immigrants and settlers by exaggerating reports, as some districts have done."The Fitzroy Town District was merged with New Plymouth borough in August 1911; Vogeltown, Frankleigh Park
Frankleigh Park
Frankleigh Park is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the south of the city centre. The suburb is built around the site of early settler Henry King's farm, Woodleigh, the father of William Cutfield King...
and Westown were added a year later, followed by St Aubyn-Moturoa. By 1913 the town had a population of 7538. Seafront land was added in 1931 and 1941; land acquired on Omata Rd was added in 1955 and in 1960 large areas including land to the south of Paritutu, as well as Hurdon, Ferndale and Huatoki were included, as well as land straddling Mangorei Rd between the Henui Stream and Waiwakaiho River.
New Plymouth was declared a city in 1949.
New Plymouth District Council
In 1989, as a part of New Zealand-wide reorganisation of local government, New Plymouth City Council was merged with Taranaki County Council, Inglewood Borough Council, Waitara Borough Council, and Clifton County Council to form New Plymouth District Council.Every three years the Mayor, 14 councillors and 16 community board members are elected by the New Plymouth District’s enrolled voters. The full council, sub-committees and standing committees meet on a six-weekly cycle.
The Policy and Monitoring standing committees have delegated authority from the council to make final decisions on certain matters, and they make recommendations to the council on all others. The four community boards–Clifton, Waitara, Inglewood and Kaitake–as well as the subcommittees and working parties can make recommendations to the standing committees for them to consider.
The third standing committee, the Hearings Commission, is a quasi-judicial body that meets whenever a formal hearing is required–for instance, to hear submissions on a publicly notified resource consent application.
The Chief Executive and approximately 460 full time equivalent staff provide advice and information to the elected members and the public, implement council decisions and manage the district’s day-to-day operations.
This includes everything from maintaining more than 280 parks and reserves, waste water management and issuing consents and permits, through to providing libraries and other recreational services and ensuring the district’s eateries meet health standards.
New Plymouth District Council's annual operating revenue for 2008/2009 is more than $188 million. Visit the
NPDC website for more information.
City suburbs
From west to east
|
Westown Westown is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the southwest of the city centre and west of Frankleigh Park.The population was 3,399 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 108 from 2001.... Frankleigh Park Frankleigh Park is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the south of the city centre. The suburb is built around the site of early settler Henry King's farm, Woodleigh, the father of William Cutfield King... Vogeltown, Taranaki Vogeltown is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre and east of Frankleigh Park. The suburb was named after Sir Julius Vogel, Prime Minister of New Zealand in the 1870s.... Brooklands, Taranaki Brooklands is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the Taranaki region of the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located on the southern edge of the city and east of Vogeltown. The area is named after Brooklands farm, established in 1842.-Features:... Welbourn, New Zealand Welbourn is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre... |
Merrilands Merrilands is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the south-east of the city centre. The Waiwhakaiho River runs past Merrilands to the east, and Te Henui Stream runs past to the west.... |
Satellite settlements
- OakuraOakuraOakura is a small township in Taranaki, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 45, 15 kilometres south-west of New Plymouth. Okato is 12 km further south-west. The Oakura River flows past the town and into the North Taranaki Bight...
- OmataOmataOmata is a locality in Taranaki, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 45 just southwest of New Plymouth.The population was 474 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 27 from 2001....
- Bell BlockBell BlockBell Block is a town in Taranaki, New Zealand. State Highway 3 runs through it. It is 6 km north-east of the centre of New Plymouth and 1 km from the outer edge of New Plymouth at Waiwhakaiho. Waitara is about 9 km to the north-east...
- InglewoodInglewood, New ZealandInglewood is a town in the Taranaki Region of New Zealand's North Island. The population was 3,090 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 144 from 2001. Inglewood lies 200m above sea level....
- WaitaraWaitara, New ZealandWaitara is the name of a town and a river in the northern part of the Taranaki Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Waitara is located just off State Highway 3, 15 km northeast of New Plymouth....
New Plymouth Airport
New Plymouth Airport (IATA: NPL, ICAO: NZNP) serves the city of New Plymouth, and the surrounding region of Taranaki. It is located on the coast, 11 km from the city centre, and 4 km from the outer suburb/satellite town of Bell BlockBell Block
Bell Block is a town in Taranaki, New Zealand. State Highway 3 runs through it. It is 6 km north-east of the centre of New Plymouth and 1 km from the outer edge of New Plymouth at Waiwhakaiho. Waitara is about 9 km to the north-east...
.
It is the 11th busiest airport in New Zealand, with scheduled services to Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.
Transport and industry
Electric power was first provided in January 1906 from the Mangorei power station alongside the Waiwakaiho River near Burgess Park. In the 1960s, the New Plymouth Power StationNew Plymouth Power Station
The New Plymouth Power Station was a 600 MW thermal power station at New Plymouth. Located at Port Taranaki, it was dual fuelled on natural gas and fuel oil.-History:...
was initially designed to run on coal but constructed to be fueled by natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
or fuel oil. This is a thermal power station
Thermal power station
A thermal power station is a power plant in which the prime mover is steam driven. Water is heated, turns into steam and spins a steam turbine which drives an electrical generator. After it passes through the turbine, the steam is condensed in a condenser and recycled to where it was heated; this...
with a steam turbine, commenced operation in 1974 with units progressively decommissioned from 2000 with one left operating in 2008.
Companies began searching for oil on the New Plymouth coast in 1865 after small deposits of thick oil were found on the shoreline. The first commercial quantities of oil were obtained in January 1866. Exploration continued sporadically and a refinery opened in 1913. Production ceased about 1972. The offshore Maui A well
Maui gas field
The Maui natural gas field is the largest gas, natural gas condensate and oil field in New Zealand, producing nearly three-quarters of the country's hydrocarbons, as well as providing energy for electricity generation. It is located in the Tasman Sea, 35 km off the coast of Taranaki and to the...
began production of natural gas in the late 1970s, sparking a flourishing energy and petrochemical industry. As Maui A’s resources decline, new sites in Taranaki are being developed in an effort to find more commercial petrochemical reserves.
An 18 km (11.2 mi) railway link between New Plymouth and Waitara
Waitara, New Zealand
Waitara is the name of a town and a river in the northern part of the Taranaki Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Waitara is located just off State Highway 3, 15 km northeast of New Plymouth....
was completed in 1875; this later became the Waitara Branch. The next year, work began on a line south to Stratford
Stratford, New Zealand
Stratford is the only town in the central Taranaki district of Stratford District, New Zealand. It lies beneath the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki/Egmont, approximately half-way between New Plymouth and Hawera, near the geographic centre of the Taranaki region. The town has a population of...
, which was reached in 1879, followed by Hawera
Hawera
Hawera is the second-largest town in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of . It is near the coast of the South Taranaki Bight, 75 kilometres south of New Plymouth on State Highway 3 and 20 minutes' drive from Mount Taranaki/Egmont.It is also on State Highway 45,...
in 1881. This line, known as the Marton - New Plymouth Line, was completed on 23 March 1885, and when the Wellington - Manawatu Line
Wellington - Manawatu Line
The Wellington and Manawatu Line is an unofficial name for the section of New Zealand's North Island Main Trunk Railway between Wellington and Palmerston North...
of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company was opened on 3 November 1886, a direct railway link was established to Wellington. The original routing through the centre of the town was replaced in 1907 by an alignment along the foreshore, which remains today. The New Plymouth Express
New Plymouth Express
The New Plymouth Express was a passenger express train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between Wellington and New Plymouth. It ran from 1886 until 1955 and was sometimes known as the New Plymouth Mail due to the Railway Travelling Post Office carriages included in its consist...
passenger train began operating on this route in December 1886. In 1926, it was augmented by the Taranaki Flyer
Taranaki Flyer
The Taranaki Flyer was the name given to a passenger train that was operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between Wanganui and New Plymouth.- Introduction :...
for the run between New Plymouth and Wanganui, A direct railway route to Auckland was not established until 1932, when the Stratford - Okahukura Line was completed; the next year, when the line was handed over from the Public Works Department
New Zealand Ministry of Works
The New Zealand Ministry of Works, formerly the Department of Public Works and sometimes referred to as the Public Works Department or PWD, was founded in 1876 and disestablished and privatised in 1988...
to the New Zealand Railways Department
New Zealand Railways Department
The New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
, the New Plymouth Night Express
New Plymouth Night Express
The New Plymouth Night Express was a passenger express train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department that ran between Auckland and New Plymouth. It ran in various forms from 1933 until 1983, though the 'express' designation was lost in 1956 and later incarnations did not operate at night...
began operating to Auckland. All carriage trains were replaced by RM class
NZR RM class
The RM class is the classification used by the New Zealand Railways Department and its successors given to most railcars and railbuses that have operated on New Zealand's national rail network. As NZR and its successors has operated many diverse types of railcars, alternate names have been given...
Standard
NZR RM class (Standard)
The NZR RM class Standard railcars were a class of railcar operated by the New Zealand Railways Department in the North Island of New Zealand. Officially classified as RM like all other railcar classes in New Zealand, they acquired the designation of 'Standard' to differentiate them from others...
and 88 seater
NZR RM class (88 seater)
The NZR RM class 88-seaters were a class of railcar used in New Zealand, known unofficially as 'articulateds', 'twinsets', 'Drewrys' and 'Fiats'. They were purchased to replace steam-hauled provincial passenger trains and mixed trains...
railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
s by 1956. The Wanganui service ceased in 1959; the Auckland service was truncated to terminate in Taumarunui
Taumarunui
Taumarunui is a town in the King Country of the central North Island of New Zealand. It is on State Highway 4 and the North Island Main Trunk Railway....
from 1971; and the Wellington service was cancelled on 30 July 1977. On 11 February 1978, the Taumarunui railcar was replaced by a passenger train, but it was ultimately cancelled on 21 January 1983. Since this date, the only passenger trains to operate to New Plymouth have been infrequent excursions operated by railway preservation societies.
The breakwater at Ngamotu was completed in 1883, providing safe berthage for vessels, and the Moturoa wharf was completed in 1888. Port Taranaki
Port Taranaki
Port Taranaki is located at New Plymouth, New Zealand. It is the only deep water port on the west coast of New Zealand, and is owned by the Taranaki Regional Council...
is a critical transport link for the region and the only deep water port on the west coast of New Zealand.
In 1916 the city's electric tramway
Trams in New Zealand
Trams in New Zealand were a major form of transport from the 19th century into the mid 20th century. New Zealand's first tramway was established in 1862 , followed by a steam tramway in 1871 , and the first electric tramway in 1900 . The tram systems in the main centres, and in some smaller towns,...
system began and petrol-powered buses began running four years later. Trams were scrapped in 1954.
The first aircraft landed at the racecourse in 1920 and commercial flights began using the airport at Bell Block in June 1937. During World War II this grass airfield became RNZAF Bell Block; and was replaced in 1966 by the current tarmac airport
New Plymouth Airport
New Plymouth Airport serves the city of New Plymouth, and the surrounding region of Taranaki. It is on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, and geographically, is the closest airport in the country to Australia...
, 3 km (1.9 mi) NE of the old airport site.
Among the city's major industrial companies was Ivon Watkins-Dow, an agricultural chemicals company founded in 1944 by brothers Ivon, Harry and Dan Watkins and joined as a partner 20 years later by Dow Chemicals of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The company ran a factory at Paritutu making the herbicide 2,4,5-T. A 2005 study found that people who lived close to the Ivon Watkins-Dow plant between 1962 and 1987 were likely to have dioxin levels on average four times higher than the general public. In some groups the level was as much as seven times as high. A Public Health Medicine senior adviser has claimed that based on international findings, the residents' exposure to dioxin may cause increased rates of disease, in particular cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. In March 2007 the Ministry of Health announced it would offer a major health support programme to anyone affected.
In April 2008 the Ministry clarified that the programme's main feature would be a free annual medical check up for those who had lived, worked or studied close to the factory.
Features and attractions
New Plymouth District has a reputation as an events centre, with major festivals (the annual TSB Bank Festival of Lights, Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival, WOMADWorld of Music, Arts and Dance
WOMAD is an international arts festival. The central aim of WOMAD is to celebrate the world's many forms of music, arts and dance.-History:...
and the G-TARanaki Guitar Festival
G-TARanaki Guitar Festival
GTaranaki also known as G-TARanaki was New Zealand's first international guitar festival held in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand annually from July 2008. The week long festival brings some of worlds best guitarists to Taranaki to perform, educate and inspire Kiwi guitarists and music fans...
, and the biennial Taranaki Arts Festival), sports fixtures (including international rugby, cricket and tennis matches, and the annual ITU World Cup Triathlon) and concerts (from Sir Elton John, Jack Johnson, Westlife, R.E.M and Fleetwood Mac).
With its rich volcanic soil, the city is well known for its gardens. Chief among them are the 52 ha Pukekura Park
Pukekura Park
thumb|right|The main lake at Pukekura, with Poet's Bridge and [[Mount Taranaki/Egmont|Mount Taranaki]] in the backgroundPukekura Park is a Garden of National Significance, covering 52ha near the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki in New Zealand....
in the centre of the city (named a Garden of National Significance), and Pukeiti, a rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
garden of international significance high on the Pouakai Range.
Pukekura Park is also the home of the TSB Bank Festival of Lights
Festival of Lights (New Plymouth)
thumb|right|Waterfall lightsThe TSB Bank Festival of Lights is an annual event held in Pukekura Park, New Plymouth. Running for free every year from mid-December to early February, it has daytime and night time programmes of events for people of all ages, and the festival itself transforms the...
, which runs for free every year from mid-December to early February. It has daytime and night time programmes of events for people of all ages, and the festival itself transforms the park into an illuminated wonderland every evening.
Next to the foreshore in the central city is Puke Ariki
Puke Ariki
Puke Ariki is a combined museum and library at New Plymouth, New Zealand. It also includes a visitor information centre and cafe.It is the world's first purpose-built, fully integrated museum, library and visitor information centre. Puke Ariki won Creative New Zealand's prestigious Creative Places...
– the world’s first purpose-built, fully integrated museum, library and information centre which tells the stories of Taranaki in a variety of interactive media.
Nearby is the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a contemporary art museum at New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. The gallery receives core funding from the New Plymouth District Council....
, a contemporary art museum and the home of the collection of film maker and kinetic artist Len Lye
Len Lye
Len Lye, born Leonard Charles Huia Lye , was a Christchurch, New Zealand-born artist known primarily for his experimental films and kinetic sculpture. His films are held in archives such as the New Zealand Film Archive, British Film Institute, Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Pacific...
. Plans are in place to house Lye's collection in a purpose-built centre next to the gallery, making New Plymouth the world centre for Len Lye.
The Coastal Walkway is a 7 km path that forms an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching almost the entire length of the city, from the Bell Block
Bell Block
Bell Block is a town in Taranaki, New Zealand. State Highway 3 runs through it. It is 6 km north-east of the centre of New Plymouth and 1 km from the outer edge of New Plymouth at Waiwhakaiho. Waitara is about 9 km to the north-east...
mouth in the east to Port Taranaki in the west. The pathway includes the iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is a pedestrian and cycleway bridge across the Waiwhakaiho River at New Plymouth in New Zealand. Its spectacular shape and setting make it a popular landmark.-Location and history:...
and is ideal for walking, running, cycling or skating, or simply enjoying the view of the dramatic west coast. It has won numerous awards, including the Cycle Friendly Award
Cycle Friendly Awards
The New Zealand Cycle Friendly Awards were devised by the Cycling Advocates' Network in 2003. The purpose of the awards is to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in the country that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment.- History and...
in 2008 for the best New Zealand cycle facility.
Right next to the Coastal Walkway is the Todd Energy
Todd Energy
Todd Energy is a diversified energy company operating in New Zealand. Todd Energy employs over 200 people and is part of the Todd Corporation. Nova Energy is the retail division of Todd Energy- Electricity :...
Aquatic Centre, with indoor and outdoor pools, a diving pool, wave machine, hydroslides, spa, sauna and gym.
Mount Taranaki/Egmont provides recreation opportunities, from skiing and snowboarding to rock climbing and alpine walks. The North Egmont Visitors Centre is 20 minutes' drive from central New Plymouth.
Taranaki is known as big wave territory with some of the country's best surfing spots found off this coastline.
The region has 20 golf courses, ranging from nine-hole country courses where you have to move the sheep, through to Ngamotu Links–consistently rated one of the best golf courses in New Zealand. All 20 golf courses are within an hour’s drive of each other.
Centre City Shopping Centre
Centre City Shopping Centre
Centre City Shopping Centre is a mall located on Ariki Street in New Plymouth, New Zealand. It contains over 55 shops and services, including a Farmers and McDonald's. It is situated close to the foreshore, Puke Ariki, and the local library....
is the only mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
in New Plymouth. It contains over 55 shops and services.
Awards
New Plymouth won the Top Town award from North and South Magazine in 2008 (judged "the best place in New Zealand to live, love, work and raise a family").The city also won three awards at the 11th International Awards for Liveable Communities held in Dongguan, China, 6–10 November 2008:
- Whole City Gold award (population category 20,000 – 75,000)
- Criteria award for Community Sustainability
- Gold award for community project (natural) – the Coastal Walkway.
Climate
New Plymouth has a warm, moist, temperate climate. The average summer afternoon temperature is 21–22 °C (69.8–71.6 F); average summer night-time temperature is 12–13 °C (53.6–55.4 F). In winter the average afternoon temperature is 13–14 °C (55.4–57.2 F) and night-time temperature is 5–6 °C (41–42.8 F). The average annual rainfall is 1432 mm (56.4 in). On 15 August 2011 it snowed in New Plymouth which is such a rare event that it has been described as a once in a generation occurrence.Education
There are three schools within the central city, and suburban schools in Fitzroy, Frankleigh ParkFrankleigh Park
Frankleigh Park is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the south of the city centre. The suburb is built around the site of early settler Henry King's farm, Woodleigh, the father of William Cutfield King...
, Lynmouth
Lynmouth, New Zealand
Lynmouth is a suburb of New Plymouth in the Taranaki Region of New Zealand. It is located to the west of the city centre. The population was 2,142 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 78 from 2001....
, Mangorei
Mangorei
Mangorei is a locality on the outskirts of New Plymouth in Taranaki, New Zealand. The city centre is about 5 km to the north-west. State Highway 3 passes to the south-west.-Education:...
, Marfell
Marfell
Marfell is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the southwest of the city centre. The Mangaotuku Stream runs past Marfell.The population was 2,046 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 51 from 2001.-Education:...
, Merrilands
Merrilands
Merrilands is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the south-east of the city centre. The Waiwhakaiho River runs past Merrilands to the east, and Te Henui Stream runs past to the west....
, Moturoa
Moturoa
Moturoa is a coastal suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the west of the city centre. The population was 3,558 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 315 from 2001....
, Spotswood
Spotswood, New Zealand
Spotswood is a suburb of New Plymouth in the Taranaki Region of New Zealand. It is located to the west of the city centre. The population was 2,010 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 27 from 2001.-Education:...
, Vogeltown
Vogeltown, Taranaki
Vogeltown is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre and east of Frankleigh Park. The suburb was named after Sir Julius Vogel, Prime Minister of New Zealand in the 1870s....
, Welbourn
Welbourn
Welbourn is a village in North Kesteven, central Lincolnshire on the A607 between Leadenham and Wellingore.-Village:The village church is St Chad's, part of the Loveden Deanery of the Diocese of Lincoln: the incumbent is the Revd Dr Alan Megahey....
and Westown
Westown
Westown is a suburb of New Plymouth, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located to the southwest of the city centre and west of Frankleigh Park.The population was 3,399 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 108 from 2001....
. The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki is the largest Tertiary Education Institution in the province of Taranaki, New Zealand.The institute has two campuses around Taranaki; the Main Campus is situated in New Plymouth, and the other is located in Hawera. It is famed for its Zero Fee Scheme...
has its main campus in central New Plymouth.
In the inner city, New Plymouth Boys' High School
New Plymouth Boys' High School
New Plymouth Boys' High School is a single-sex boys' state secondary school in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. It was founded in 1882 and celebrated its 125th Jubilee in 2007....
and New Plymouth Girls' High School are single-sex secondary (years 9–13) schools with rolls of 1219 and 1218 respectively. The Boys' School was founded in 1882. The decile ratings
Socio-Economic Decile
Decile, Socio-Economic Decile or Socio-Economic Decile Band is a widely used measure in education in New Zealand used to target funding and support to more needy schools....
of the two schools are 8 and 7, respectively.
Central School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) schools with a roll of 212 and a decile rating of 8. Central School opened in 1884.