 Taranaki's biennial arts festival is New Zealand's second largest. New Zealand's leading provincial art gallery is the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth. A new $20-million-plus museum and library located on New Plymouth's foreshore, Puke Ariki, opened earlier in 2003. Throughout Taranaki are incredibly talented artists who seem to create art and crafts from almost anything - wood, clay, bone, even possum-skin. New Plymouth's foreshore boasts a 45-metre high kinetic sculpture, the wind wand.
 Puke Ariki is an exciting achievement in amalgamation of museum, library and visitor information research centre in the world today. Described by New Zealand"s Prime Minister as "setting new bench marks for the delivery of regional heritage and information services in New Zealand", it has won multiple awards for design, delivery, technology, innovation and architecture. It is a first-stop for all visitors to Taranaki. Puke Ariki is a portal to the past, present and future and tells the stories of Taranaki through changing exhibitions, displays, collections, an exceptional award winning website and interactive technology. Puke Ariki engages and informs people of all ages and cultures and offers the convenience of accessibility by having New Plymouth's iSITE at the main entrance. Located in the heart of city, it is a blue chip facility of the New Plymouth District Council.
 To wet and cold for climbing on the mountain? Why not visit the YMCA's new climbing room. It features a range of climbs for all grades of climbers. Instructors available and climbing shoes can be hired.
Take a visit to the Aquatic Centre, Hydroslide, indoor and outdoor heated pools, wave pool, inflatables, spa, steam room, sauna, gym and aqua fitness.
Feel the need for speed? Inglewood indoor speedway has nine indoor mini stockcars reaching speeds of up to 18km/hour. Minimum age: 10 yrs. Height 4'6" (137cm). Can do red light starts. Enclosed footwear must be worn. Helmets provided.
|
