An art and food lover’s guide to Taranaki

In recent years Taranaki has deservedly earned a reputation for being one of the most creative centres in Aotearoa. Home to street art, internationally acclaimed galleries, studios and community galleries, here are some of the best art experiences (with a side of food and drink) that the region has to offer.

New Plymouth’s best sourdough bakery, Billow Bakery, is run out of an old shipping container. Pop in for a cup of coffee and just-out-of-the-oven morning bun before popping next door to The Jewel and The Jeweller. In what doubles as a jewellery gallery and studio space (also in an old shipping container) you’ll find the work of some of the best jewellers in Aotearoa.

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The walls of the Nice Hotel, run by local arts patron Terry Parkes, are adorned with Terry’s extensive collection of art that’s been built up over many years. After admiring Terry’s collection, find your way to the large balcony off the back of the hotel’s restaurant, Table @ Nice, for a glass of wine and platter in one of the city’s best hidden spots.

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The Len Lye Centre is hard to miss with its distinctive stainless steel facade. Just as impressive is the collection of kinetic sculpture works by world-renowned Len Lye that you’ll find inside. Once you’ve learnt about the impressive engineering and creative processes involved in the creation of Lye’s works, head down the corridor to Monica’s Eatery for a plate of some of the best eggs in town.

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The Len Lye Centre (at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery) is home to New Plymouth’s only arthouse cinema, a beautiful space with plush red seats that regularly features international and New Zealand films. Expect up-to-date cinema content, as well as regular screenings of cults and classics. Once your movie is finished, head across the road to the West End Precinct’s Itch Wine Bar for a glass of wine and plate of charcuterie.

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New Plymouth’s museum and library, Puke Ariki, is the place to visit to learn more about the city and region’s history and rich cultural scene. Once you’ve taken in the impressive taonga, or one of the regular exhibitions of works by New Plymouth and Taranaki artists, head down to Arborio Restaurant for a burger, a beer and spectacular views of the ocean.

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Pop into Bleached Coffee and Company for a cup of coffee and a breakfast burger made by local favourite Gamma Ray’s before popping round the corner to Kina NZ Design and Art Space. Here you’ll find the work and wares of artists from across Aotearoa. Expect jewellery, ceramics, design products and ever-changing exhibitions of work by local artists.

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In a lovingly restored historic building in the back streets of Stratford is the Fenton Street Arts Collective, a space for local artists to show their work. But this isn’t any old community art gallery. While you’re there, grab a coffee (the beans are roasted on site), something to eat from the café and sample some of the gin that’s made at the onsite distillery.

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Nigel Ogle’s Tawhiti Museum might just be one of the best privately owned museums in the country. Its impressive life-size exhibits and scale models, all made on site, tell immersive stories about the history of Aotearoa. After exploring the exhibits, pop to nearby Someday Café in Hāwera for a coffee and pastry made by local guy Andrew Blanche, of Baked by Blanche.

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Around the streets of New Plymouth’s CBD you’ll find buildings featuring works by local artist Damin Radford Scott, known as Milarky. Find Milarky’s work featuring a giant astronaut on the facade of Escape Coffee Roasters (a great spot for a caffeine hit), and then head to his recently opened gallery space Resident Gallery, an artist-run space where the hours are (self-confessed) “not the most reliable, and often nocturnal”. Here, the works on the walls change often.

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