The accolades keep coming for the coastal town of New Plymouth. New Zealand’s North & South magazine has named the port, located in the Taranaki region on the North Island’s western coast, the country’s top town – and the best place ‘to live, love, work and raise a family’ – beating the better known locations of Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.
Christchurch took second place, with Auckland and Wellington coming an equal third.
The announcement came just a few weeks after New Plymouth was named the only New Zealand finalist for a Whole City Award in the International Awards for Liveable Communities.
Mayor Peter Tennent says, “Being judged the top community in New Zealand by North & South is a huge accolade.
“Those of us that live here have never been in any doubt of how fantastic this place is, but it is wonderful to have independent judging attesting just that. The best place to live in the best country in the world is pretty special!”
New Plymouth District, which boasts 1.7 percent of New Zealand’s population, is popular choice for British migrants. It is the region’s financial centre, and a hub for the dairy farming industry as well as oil, natural gas and petrochemical exploration and production.  
The coastal city is also renowned for its botanical gardens, such as Pukekura Park, its 7km scenic coastal walkway, bordering the Tasman Sea and stunning views of Mount Taranaki (also known as Mount Egmont). With snowboarding, skiing, surfing and waterskiing all close to hand, it’s a huge hit with sports fanatics too…
North & South editor Virginia Larson says New Plymouth stood out for several reasons, from its climate and natural environment through to the district’s economy, facilities, and affordable housing and lifestyle.
“Since we last ran our Top Town Competition in 2000, New Plymouth has rapidly developed its art and cultural offerings – such as Puke Ariki, concerts and events like WOMAD, and major sporting events like the ITU Triathlon World Cup, Davis Cup, rugby and cricket fixtures,” says Ms Larson.
“To cap it all, we felt New Plymouth has a sense of ‘can-do’ and a real community spirit.”
North & South also scored New Plymouth highly for job opportunities and economic growth, and for the initiatives and successes of Venture Taranaki and the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs.
North & South sent questionnaires to more than 40 cities and towns around the country, and evaluated the information that came back alongside data from organisations such as Statistics NZ, NIWA, Quotable Value and BERL.
“There were still those hard-to-judge, more ephemeral factors – community spirit, confidence – which we got to argue over,” says Ms Larson.
“We mostly argued over the runners-up, however. It quickly became clear that New Plymouth was our winner.”
Mayor Pete says New Plymouth District’s greatest strength is its community.
“The people who live here are a passionate lot, and are always looking at new ways to develop opportunities,” he says.
“It’s because of our heritage of innovation and determination that we have ground-breaking facilities, extensive parks and reserves, a magnificent programme of events and festivals, and a very strong local economy – which combined with our fantastic landscape makes for a lifestyle that’s unequalled anywhere. We truly are blessed!”
 
So its clear to say that we do have a great city in New Plymouth. Its a truely wonderful place to live. From my perspective talking with many people who do buy in this area say they come here for the peaceful but activity rich lifestyle. I myself am of the same conclusion. Where else can you go and enjoy some of New Zealands greatest surf beaches and then take off to the mountain and enjoy the snow and if thats not what you like the enormous amount of parks and feature flower gardens in the district will blow your mind away. If your a proactive and go getter person you will never run out of things to do in New Plymouth and the greater Taranaki.
Source: www.scoop.co.nz