NEW PLYMOUTH What a wonderful city New Plymouth is. Fortunate also, because New Plymouth’s isolation determines not only is it Capitol of the Taranaki, New Plymouth is also the centre of gravity of the west coast of the North Island. Coupled with history and the good fortune to be ‘close’ to oil and gas fields has seen the city have its own recent ‘gold rush’ years. Growth spurned by the energy sector has seen New Plymouth double in size in the last 30 years. The city is also blessed to be close to the Egmont National Park and Mt Taranaki. The mountain most of the time presenting a magnificent view of itself to tourists and the local residents. New Plymouth also has many other fabulous features and the Coastal Walkway is a gem of an asset to the residents. Other notable features are the botanic gardens (e.g. Pukekura Park), and the Len Lye-designed 45-metre (148 ft) tall artwork known as the Wind Wand. In 2008, New Plymouth won multiple awards as a city. It is also noted for being a coastal city with a mountain within 30 minutes drive, where residents and visitors to New Plymouth can snowboard, ski, water ski and surf all in the same day. The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 created the Province of New Plymouth and series of disputes over ownership and settlement of land developed between Maori and settlers soon after and New Plymouth became a fortified garrison town in 1860-1861 New Plymouth is also a major port, fishing industry, rural services provider and increasingly a tourist destination in its own right. If the weather was not cool and windy New Plymouth would vie for major city status. The New Plymouth Museum is a must visit. The regular display giving a sensitive insight to the past. The New Plymouth War Memorial is under done for such a city. There is no public accord the fallen in the 1st or 2nd World Wars. The Boar War yes. The Churches are a mix of the grotesque modern, and thankfully contrasted with the St Paul’s Cathedral and Presbyterian giving history a chance. There are some New Plymouth Hotels hanging in but the magnificent White Hart is on a trading hold???? To enjoy, absorb and soak up New Plymouth, environs and the mountain allow a week.