Your guide to living in South Taranaki
June 1 marks the start of the dairy season with around 5000 people, including a large number of dairy farming families, sharemilkers and employees, across New Zealand moving to new farms. ‘‘Moving Day’’ is one of the biggest days on the farming calendar. A significant number of these people will be new families moving to South Taranaki. Plus, lately there’s been a significant increase in New Zealanders relocating to the area, drawn to its numerous upsides. In this backdrop here’s a quick summary of the opportunities and facilities available in the district. Lifestyle
With world-famous surf beaches, wonderful parks and gardens and breathtaking
Taranaki Maunga on the doorstep, South Taranaki is one of NZ’s most spectacular locations; Lonely Planet judged Taranaki as one of the two best places in the world to visit in 2017.
South Taranaki has a number of quality facilities for a district of its size. From a state-of the-art multipurpose sports, events and recreation complex, to modern cinemas, function centres, libraries, art galleries, museums, parks and aquatic centres – it boasts all the benefits of a city without the hassles. Add to that minimal traffic, low unemployment, affordable housing and safe, caring communities and you’ll see why South Taranaki is the perfect place to call home.
Housing
From family homes close to shops and schools, through to multi-million dollar properties or lifestyle blocks with room to run the horse – you’ll find prices are extremely favourable when compared with the rest of NZ. The average house price for South Taranaki is $580,000 (vs $1.3 million in Auckland). If building your dream home is the goal, you
As well as having abundant natural resources we also have some of the most spectacular scenery in the world right on our doorstep; world famous surf beaches, wonderful parks and gardens and the breathtaking Taranaki Maunga.
However, our most valuable resource is our people and in South Taranaki - we pride ourselves on being welcoming, friendly, resilient, and innovative. can choose from spacious sections in one of many flourishing residential developments.
Renting
There is a variety of rental housing available in all towns in the district. If you are new to the district you might consider renting first before buying so you can learn more about the market and where you would like to settle before buying a home. The average weekly rent in South Taranaki is $450 compared with $575 for NZ as a whole.
Education
Pre-schoolers are well catered
I hope you find that is the case and make South Taranaki your forever home. In the meantime, if you would like to find out more about our District, you can visit our Council’s website or call us toll free on 0800 111 323 – we’re here to help.
I look forward to meeting you,
Phil Nixon
Koromatua o Taranaki ki te Tonga Mayor South Taranaki for with a wide choice of early childhood education centres across the district. Primary and secondary schools offer quality educational programmes, generally with low teacher-pupil ratios. All three state secondary schools are co-educational. Boarding options are available.
Sector-specific training is provided by Industry Training Organisations, and tertiary education by WITT Te Pūkenga which has a growing campus in Hāwera (a free daily bus service for students also runs from Hāwera to the New Plymouth campus). Apprenticeships are managed and promoted by different organisations and some companies provide internships or graduate programmes as part of their recruitment programmes. Health
Te Whatu Ora Taranaki is the key health provider. Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth provides first-class emergency, intensive and medical care to the community. South Taranaki is well served with a modern hospital in Hāwera, medical centres in