KNOWN AFFECTIONATELY by locals as ‘Taradise’ or ‘the Naki’, Taranaki is fast becoming a major player in New Zealand’s business events calendar.
STORY BY NATALIE AKOORIE

Home to 105,000 residents, Taranaki is a region of diverse history and culture, and features a unique array of activities and tourist attractions. From tramping on Mt Taranaki (2518m) to a myriad of sea-based activities, it’s no wonder tourists flock to the region on the North Island’s western seaboard. Encompassing the stunning seaside city of New Plymouth with a population of 66,600, Taranaki was made famous four years ago when Tom Cruise set up camp there during the filming of Hollywood blockbuster The Last Samurai.

And it seems ‘the Naki’ hasn’t looked back. In summer 2006 thousands of people descended on the city for ‘Summer of Sound’ concerts at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, including UB40, Michael Crawford, Stevie Nicks and John Farnham, Jimmy Cliff, Amici with Russell Watson, the Doobie Bros and John Fogerty. This year will also see the ITU World Cup Triathlon in November. “We see New Plymouth as a very good locale for conferences and events,” says Venture Taranaki marketing manager Vicki Fairley.

“It’s a really good central location from Auckland and Wellington. It’s enough to get people out of the big cities where they have the distractions but it’s a well kept little region. We generally consider Taranaki to be an undiscovered treasure for people.” New Plymouth is a 45-minute flight from either Wellington or Auckland or a four-and-a-half hour journey by car. With numerous venues and hotels around the city including The Bowl of Brooklands – a natural amphitheatre seating about 12,000 – New Plymouth is well-equipped to cater for both small and large conferences.

Recent events have included the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships at Oakura Beach and next year’s WOMAD (World of Music Arts and Dance) will be held in March. “We’re all experienced in holding and dealing with conferences and events,” Ms Fairley said. “All the centres are run by experienced conference managers.” She said such a vast range of events happening in the city also make for interesting pre and post-conference activities such as the World Cup Triathlon. “We edged out 11 other regions to win that. It’s the first time it was held in New Zealand and we’ve got it for three years.”

The world’s top triathletes competed in the inaugural New Zealand event last November. Every October/November there’s the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival, every second August a Festival of the Arts, plus an annual Festival of the Lights, which lights up the stunning Pukekura Park in the middle of the city. “It’s a park that’s unequalled – there’s not another one like it.” The city also boasts a 7km coastal walkway which is much used by the locals and has surrounding swimming beaches with New Zealand’s hottest black sand.

Ms Fairley says the city’s café scene is also on a par with those of the bigger cities while New Plymouth has quite a grasp on art and culture too. Its outdoor activities and team-building experiences are second-to-none and include some experiences such as Bridge Swing which is not something that can be done in many other areas.

MEET, EAT AND SLEEP

Copthorne Grand Central
Previously the Grand Central Hotel, the Copthorne Grand Central New Plymouth became a Copthorne in February 2005. Just a two-minute walk from the central business district, the property features 62 rooms and three conference rooms which can cater for up to 350 people theatre-style or 240 for dinner. The GCR restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner seating 46 and a nearby lounge can be used as a break-out room complete with a section of the bar.

For more information telephone (06) 758 7495 or visit www.copthornehotels.co.nz

TSB Stadium, TSB Showplace, TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Yarrow Stadium
TSB Stadium is a multi-purpose event centre catering for exhibitions, trade shows, sports events and banquets. It has a floor space of 2200 square metres, has a seating capacity of 2635 or 4560 cocktail-style. The TSB Showplace is three venues within one including the TSB Theatre seating 963, The Theatre Royal seating 410 and the Alexandra Room seating 200. The TSB Bowl of Brooklands is one of the most stunning amphitheatres in the country and can seat 12,000 people. Yarrow Stadium is Taranaki’s international sporting, entertainment and conference facility.

For more information on all four venues visit www.evt.co.nz

The Devon
The Devon Hotel and Conference Centre features 114 rooms and is centrally located within walking distance of the CBD. There are four function and meeting rooms including the Courtenay, which can hold up to 400 theatre-style and 250 banquet-style, The Gallery, Maui, and Tasman, all of which can seat 50 theatre-style. There are also several lovely outdoor garden areas including an area big enough for a marquee seating 100 people. There is a Roman theme buffet restaurant called Marbles which seats up to 400.

For more information telephone (06) 759 9099, email mail@devonhotel.co.nz or visit www.devonhotel.co.nz

The Quality Hotel Plymouth International and the Auto Lodge Motor Inn
The Quality Hotel features 76 accommodation rooms although guests can also stay around the corner at neighbouring motel Auto Lodge Motor Inn. There are up to eight dedicated function spaces at The Quality Hotel, including The Grand Ballroom which can be split in two and can seat 450 theatre-style and 300 for dinner. The Brougham Room, and the Essex Room can seat 50 theatre-style each while the Blenheim Room can seat 100 theatre-style and all three can combine. The Auto Lodge Motor Inn on Devon St East features 86 units and has two conference spaces seating 100 theatre-style and 50 theatrestyle. The Grille Restaurant there seats 120 for dinner.

For more information on The Quality Hotel telephone (06) 758 0589 or visit www.plymouth.co.nz and for details on the Auto Lodge Motor Inn telephone (06) 758 8044 or visit www.autolodge.co.nz

MUST SEE AND DO

Chaddy’s Charters
Started 12 years ago by former champion boxer Dave Chadfield, Chaddy’s Charters provides one-hour boat tours taking in the seal colony around Moturoa Island on New Plymouth harbour. Chaddy can carry up to 30 passengers for fishing charters, weddings and group tours on his 1953 lifeboat the Rescue III. His stories of miners, whalers and volcanoes make the trip an interesting one while his little fox terrier Suzie helps with the fishing. Back on land visitors can dine at The Waterfront Café next door and check out Chaddy’s museum of memorabilia.

For more information telephone (06) 758 9133 or email rescue3@slingshot.co.nz

Puke Ariki
Puke Ariki is a unique interactive library, museum and visitor centre which merges to create a celebration of Taranaki and its people. There are exhibitions, a Taranaki experience and learning centre, a retail area called Vivid in the North Wing which includes Puke Ariki branded products for sale, and the cutting-edge Arborio restaurant. The centre, situated at the bottom of town near the foreshore can also cater for functions and was the scene of The Last Samurai premiere.

For more information telephone (06) 759 6060 or visit www.pukeariki.com

Taranaki Outdoor Adventures
If it’s corporate team-building or just pure adrenalin activities you want then check out Taranaki Outdoor Adventures. Activities include kayak ‘dam dropping’ off a 30-foot dam, sea kayaking New Plymouth’s marine reserve or river and surf kayaking. There’s also abseiling, the Paritutu Traverse including rock-climbing and swinging across chasms. And the Bridge Swing. This is touted as a full-on adrenalin and confidence booster.

For more information telephone 0800 200 6254 or visit www.toa.co.nz