Taranaki Recreation
The region offers a huge range of activities. You can take a gentle stroll through cool native forest or set off on a multi-day hike.
Looking for general recreation information?
There’s river rafting, ocean surfing, and winter snow sports - you can snowboard in the morning and surf the same afternoon. There are art trails, festivals, award-winning museums and galleries and a thriving café culture. Taranaki is also known for its family-friendly beaches and its gardens, which are particularly spectacular in the rhododendron season.
Taranaki | Tourism New Zealand
Attraction and recreation | New Plymouth District Council
Things to do | Venture Taranaki
Sports and recreation facilities
District councils around the region provide a range of recreation facilities including sportsgrounds, parks and gardens. Your local community center may also run many different activities and groups for the community to join.
Attractions and recreation | New Plymouth District Council
Recreation | South Taranaki Council
Facilities | Stratford Council
Taranaki community centres | Citizen's Advice Bureau
Sports clubs and social groups
New Zealanders enjoy a huge range of sporting activities - everything from Aikido to Zen Do Kai! Check these sites to see what’s available in your area, and how you can get involved. Joining a club or team is a great way to meet people.
Find a club or team | New Zealand Sport
Sport and Recreation Community Directory | The Wheelhouse
Clubs and Organisations | South Taranaki District Council
Club and Regional Sport Organisation search | Sport Taranaki
Tracks and walks
There are many opportunities to stretch your legs, clear your lungs and get close to nature on the walkways and tracks you’ll find wherever you go in New Zealand.
Parks and Reserves | Stratford District Council
South Taranaki Parks and Gardens | South Taranaki District Council
Parks and reserves | New Plymouth District Council
Regional gardens road map | Taranaki Regional Council
Playgrounds
New Plymouth offers plenty of opportunities for children to play in safe playgrounds, including a number of skateboard parks. To find children's playgrounds in New Plymouth check out this site.
Playgrounds | New Plymouth District Council
Hunting and fishing rules
Both fishing and hunting are a big part of life for many in the Taranaki region. Check the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fish and Game NZ websites for full information about licences and restrictions on hunting and fishing in freshwater. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has information about the rules of fishing in the sea.
It is very important to be aware of restrictions as there can be serious penalties for breaching them.
Taranaki and central area fishing rules | MPI
Dog walking areas/ dog regulations
New Zealand has various laws about looking after and controlling dogs. District councils have their own bylaws.
Dog overview | New Plymouth District Council
Animal control | South Taranaki District Council
Dogs | Stratford District Council
Cycling
Taranaki features a large number of tracks through beautiful scenery. Check out these sites for great cycle rides in the region.
Cycle tracks and rides | New Plymouth District Council
Art and culture
Museums and galleries
There are a number of museums and art galleries to visit in the Taranaki region. You'll find details of each on the NZ Museums website.
Arts and culture | Visit Taranaki
Shopping
There’s good everyday shopping in all of the larger centres in Taranaki, particularly in New Plymouth.
Markets
Taranaki has many markets. There is the Taranaki Farmers' market every Sunday morning in New Plymouth, where you can buy Taranaki's great produce directly from the local producer. You can visit the monthly Seaside Markets or browse one of the many community markets around the region selling produce, crafts and second-hand goods.