THREE THINGS ABOUT ... NEW PLYMOUTH
Kiwi director Justin Hawkes gives his picks for what to see and do in Taranaki
1 New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
I first went to New Plymouth when I was 17 to see a pen pal, when that was a thing. We preferred each other in letter form, but New Plymouth impressed me. In the quarter of a century since, the city has embraced its rugged coastline. The spectacular coastal walkway stretches from the port 13km up the coast. Head to Pig- out Point (it’s on Google Maps) to eat takeaways and watch a stunning sunset over the Tasman.
2 Len Lye Centre
New Plymouth’s town centre has really brightened up. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a standout piece of New Zealand architecture. The dazzling mirrored steel might burn your retinas, but it’s worth it. Inside is the Len Lye Centre with installations of his kinetic sculptures.
3 Mt Taranaki
Tyrone, a local pig-hunter I filmed with described Mt Taranaki as “just a hill with some f****** snow on it,” but every other local I met carries some deep connection with Te Maunga. My favourite view of it is from the main street of Patea, where it lines up perfectly with the road.
4 Waitara
Waitara, a small satellite town of New Plymouth, offers a real taste of regional New Zealand. Go and see Vic at the Town and Country Club for old school meat raffles and jugs of beer. Visit Magz and Co for a reading from local shaman Putiputi. There’s also B-zone Computer and Aquarium supplies, the wife likes fish, the husband likes computers. My friend Ian said they should rename the shop “Fish and Chips”.