RECREATION
In South Taranaki summers are long and warm with temperatures in the 20-25degress C range. Winters are mild with average temperatures of 13-14degress C and many brilliantly clear sunny days, so there are lots of opportunities to enjoy outdoor sports and recreation.
Many people choose South Taranaki for the lifestyle it offers. Few regions can offer such diversity of outdoor recreational choice in such close proximity. For those who enjoy tramping, the 2518 metre high Mount Taranaki at its Egmont National Park is one of New Zealand's most accessible alpine areas, providing anything from an easy 10 minute bush walk, to a 55 kilometre four day circumnavigation of the mountain. Maunganui Ski Field is a club-managed field, most seasons it is open from June through to September.
If snow is not your thing, or you just want to warm up a little, the Hawera PowerCo Aquatic Centre have an indoor pool that is heated all year. It is great place to keep fit, or for family fun.
For the golfer, South Taranaki is a paradise with a choice of eight courses. All clubs welcome new members and are open to visitors.
South Taranaki is also a fishing paradise - offering everything from great Trout fishing, coastal and deep sea fishing, to an excellent chance of capturing the elusive whitebait.
Come summer, and it is time to take to Surf Highway 45. At Opunake Beach families can enjoy a relaxing day out. For the adventurous there are 40 surf locations recognised by professional and enthusiast surfers and wind surfers as the best in New Zealand.
Away from the waves there are opportunities to fit in a game of tennis or squash, go horse-riding, dam-dropping, or even get the adrenalin going with a game of paint-ball. In fact, at last count, South Taranaki had 300 clubs and organisations supporting every type of interest.
"South Taranaki is a magnificent place to bring families up, because it is relatively uncluttered and safe. It boasts a huge amount of opportunities in the way of the magnificent coastline, over 300 sports organisations, and cultural organisations, in terms of the facilities that exist here ñ an indoor swimming pool, a modern cinema complex, and seven excellent libraries. All sorts of things that places of this size would normally struggle to have. It is a great environment for people to bring their families up. The education facilities are great, and there is a good range of them. What else would you want?" says Mayor Mary Bourke.
COMMUNITY
South Taranaki is located on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The South Taranaki District catchphrase is "Real Energy" and that doesn't just apply to the region's major on and offshore gas and oil resources. Wedged between Mt Taranaki's majestic cone and the Tasman Sea, South Taranaki boasts outdoor pursuits to satisfy the most hyperactive person.
Hawera is the principle town of South Taranaki, and lies 50 minutes south of the city of New Plymouth and 50 minutes north of Wanganui city. It is a small (population approx 10,000) and friendly town offering first class shopping, excellent sports facilities including a heated indoor swimming pool, cinema, cafes and restaurants.
Modern Heath Services are provided by a supportive group of general medical practitioners, midwifes and dentists. The town's new hospital was commissioned in 2002 and provides a range of outpatient clinics with visiting consultants positions, an emergency department that runs 24 hours a day, and also a GP after hours service.
The coastal town of Opunake is the other main centre in South Taranaki. This world-class surf centre is situated on Surf Highway 45, a marvellous scenic highway that runs from Hawera to New Plymouth. Surf Highway 45 will take you through the South Taranaki settlements of Manaia, Otakeho, Pihama, Opunake, Rahotu, Pungarehu and Warea. The highway also takes you to some of the most legendary, unspoiled surf beaches in the world.
Opunake Beach is one of the best beaches in Taranaki and within easy travelling distance of New Plymouth and Hawera. It's an extremely popular spot. In summer, the camping-ground on the beach is filled to capacity.
Within these different communities, there are a range of housing options. For those moving from Auckland or Wellington, comparative house values are a positive surprise. Families can upgrade their housing and often be left with substantial surplus capital for other investments. Owning a lifestyle farm where children and adults can enjoy the freedom of rural life while still enjoying easy access to first class education facilities and cultural activities. For families with pre-schoolers, Hawera has several organisations offering excellent choices in early child development and care, and nearly all of South Taranaki's smaller settlements offer Plunket services, and well run childcare centres, where families new to the region get to meet other members of the community.
For more information: www.stdc.co.nz
Top 
Back to Taranaki Lifestyle Homepage
