Welcome toTaranaki

The region of Taranaki is located on the western side of Aotearoa New Zealand's North Island, named after its prominent feature, Mount Taranaki, also referred to as Mount Egmont.

The Taranaki region covers a land area of 723,610 hectares, reaching as far north
as the Mohakatino catchment, south to include the Waitotara catchment and inland
to the boundary of, but not including, the Whanganui catchment. The region extends
12 nautical miles offshore to include the waters of the territorial sea.

New Plymouth (Māori: Ngāmotu) serves as the main city of the Taranaki region,
situated on the North Island's west coast. It derives its name from the English city
of Plymouth in Devon, the origin of the first English settlers to New Plymouth.
The New Plymouth District, which encompasses New Plymouth City and several
smaller towns, ranks as the 10th largest district in New Zealand, with a population
of 88,900, accounting for about two-thirds of the Taranaki Region's total population
and 1.7% of Aotearoa New Zealand's overall population.

This population includes New Plymouth City (59,600), Waitara (7,550), Inglewood
(3,870), Ōakura (1,730), Ōkato (561), and Urenui (429).

Noteworthy attractions include the botanic garden (Pukekura Park), the
acclaimed Len Lye Centre and Art Gallery, the 13 km (8.1 mi) New Plymouth
Coastal Walkway along the Tasman Sea, the 45-meter-tall (148 ft) Wind Wand
designed by Len Lye, Paritutu Rock, and stunning views of Mount Taranaki.

Demographics

Taranaki has a resident population of 126,015. The median age of the population
is 40.1 years, in comparison with NZ whose population has a median age of 38.1
years. Māori make up 21.8% of the population and interestingly, over 42% of the
population were resident elsewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand in the past five years.

The Economy

GDP in Taranaki Region measured $10,173.6m in the year to March 2023, up 0.3% from a year earlier. Growth was lower than in New Zealand (2.8%).
Economic growth in Taranaki Region averaged 1.4%pa over the 10 years to 2023 compared with an average of 3.0%pa in New Zealand.
Growth in Taranaki Region reached a high of 12.2% in 2008 and a low of -4.3% in 2012.
Taranaki Region accounted for 2.7% of national GDP in 2023.

The following industries contribute over a 35% of the GDP;

Mining,
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, and
Gas, water and waste services

Specialisations;

Led by Venture Taranaki and the Chamber of Commerce, the region is focussed on transitioning to a low emissions future.

Exports

Total exports from Taranaki Region were $5,002.7m in 2023, an increase of 6.3% compared to the previous year. By comparison exports increased by 11.9% in New Zealand.

The industry in Taranaki Region with the highest exports in 2023 was dairy product manufacturing ($2,452.4m), followed by mining ($906m) and meat and meat product manufacturing ($778.8m).
The type of goods with the highest exports in 2023 was milk and cream; concentrated or sweetened ($1,007.9m), followed by mineral fuels, oils and waxes, and bituminous substances ($881.2m) and butter and other fats and oils derived from milk ($551.9m).

Employment

Employment in Taranaki Region measured 63,348 in the year to March 2023, up 1.4% from a year earlier. Employment growth was lower than in New Zealand (2.4%).
Employment growth in Taranaki Region averaged 1.3%pa over the 10 years to 2023 compared with average employment growth of 2.3%pa in New Zealand.
Employment growth in Taranaki Region reached a high of 2.6% in 2022 and a low of -0.3% in 2012.
Taranaki Region accounted for 2.3% of national employment in 2023.

Councils of the Taranaki Region

Taranaki Regional Council

New Plymouth District Council

Stratford District Council

South Taranaki District Council

Climate

Taranaki experiences an oceanic climate characterized as moist and temperate. The average summer afternoon temperature ranges from 21–22 °C (70–72 °F), while summer nights average 12–13 °C (54–55 °F). Winters are mild, with average afternoon temperatures of 13–14 °C (55–57 °F) and night-time temperatures of 5–6 °C (41–43 °F). The city receives an average annual rainfall of 1,432 mm (56.4 in).

Useful Links

Follow this link to learn about how to set up operations in NZ, raising capital and investor visas.

Economic Strategy

Taranaki 2050 Roadmap

The award winning Taranaki 2050 Roadmap has been co-designed by the region, for the region. It considers not just how our economy will change, but all aspects of our lives, and provides the opportunity to plan for inclusive growth.

Venture Taranaki

As the regional development agency for Taranaki, Te Puna Umanga, Venture Taranaki supports local entrepreneurship and enterprises to grow, promotes our region, and helps develop our sectors, building a thriving Taranaki economy that supports the well-being of our region’s people and environment.

Based in the cultural heart of Ngāmotu, New Plymouth, we are a diverse and skilled team, who share a common goal – to build resilient Taranaki communities, enterprises, and economies. With a team of around 25 people and open-plan offices, you feel the energy of the team as soon as you walk in the door.

Te Puna Umanga, Venture Taranaki works with stakeholders across a wide range of industries and sectors, local and national government, community groups, iwi, and individual enterprises to support the region’s development. With a strong and inclusive culture, we are proud to be embarking on becoming a Te Tiriti-led organisation.

A Council Controlled Organisation, owned by New Plymouth District Council (NPDC), Venture Taranaki is incorporated as a charitable trust, and operates a leveraged funding model with NPDC funding at its core. Venture Taranaki also partners with South Taranaki District Council and Stratford District Council to deliver regional development services around the Maunga.

Initiatives include the Taranaki Regional Workforce plan. Below are some of the other activities that Venture Taranaki are leading.