New Plymouth Galleries & Museums
Taranaki's scenery has inspired many an artist and the strong arts tradition is apparent in the number of galleries and museums, the best-known being New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. A variety of regional museums showcase everything from toys to lawn bowls.
Art Galleries
- Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
The city's major contemporary art museum with a Len Lye archive, video access to the National Film Archive, a gallery shop and a café.
- Art Gallery at the Crossroads
Gallery and gardens featuring work by local and international artists and sculptors.
- R M Landers Stained Glass Art
Taranaki's oldest running studio specialising in decorative stained-glass installations and sculptured and kiln-formed glass objects.
- The Gables Gallery
Set on Brooklands Park Drive, this gallery is run by the Taranaki Society of Arts and displays local artists' work. It was originally built in 1846-48 as a hospital by the Governor, Sir George Grey. The Gables is open weekends and public holidays.
New Plymouth's Museums
- Taranaki Aviation Transport & Technology Museum
An overview of aviation transport.
- Puke Ariki
Taranaki's new heritage and information centre incorporates Taranaki Museum, with displays documenting Taranaki's Maori and European history. Maori stone sculpture and stone-tooled wood carvings retrieved from swamps in North Taranaki are on display.
- TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum
A unique museum showing the complete history of lawn bowls.
Regional Museums
- Tawhiti Museum, Hawera
A multi-award winning museum with life-size and life-like models depicting the region's history.
- Taranaki Pioneer Village, Stratford
Taranaki's pioneer days recreated on a 4 hectare site. Fifty buildings have been decorated with authentic period furnishings.
- Tainui Historical Museum, Mokau
The history of local people, communities, industries and farming, with an extensive photographic collection.
- South Taranaki District Museum, Patea
The pre-European and post-colonial history of South Taranaki, including industrial and domestic technology, horse and motor vehicles and a Patea Port display.
- Mineral Museum, Inglewood
World-wide collection of gems, minerals, crystals, fossils and locally made carvings and jewellery.
- Fun Ho! National Toy Museum, Inglewood
More than 3000 Fun Ho! toys, replica toys and spare parts.
Educational Visitor CentresThe dairy and energy industries play a huge role in Taranaki's wealth and their impact can be explored at the following educational visitor centres:
- Dairyland Visitor Centre
An insight into the operation of the Kiwi Co-operative Dairy Company with more than 20 audiovisual and interactive displays.
- Methanex New Zealand Visitor Centre
Video models and photos show how natural gas is converted into methanol. Speakers available by booking in advance.
- Shell Todd Visitors Centre
Located at the Maui Production Station, Oaonui, which produces natural gas.