Taranaki is a place with a mountain as its heart.

Our region flows around the almost perfect cone-shaped Mount Taranaki, which rises 2518 metres above the land. Also known as Mount Egmont, the dormant volcano has a ringplain of rich volcanic soil, veined with rivers and streams. Many of these waterways flow into the wild Tasman Sea, which hammers Taranaki's vast stretches of rugged coastline. The waves that roll on to our black iron-sand beaches attract surfers from all over the world – but there are calm days too.

On land, the fertile earth has turned our region into a dairy-farming centre and those who have dug deeper have found oil and gas, now a major industry here.

Because of our warm temperatures, high sunshine hours and good rainfall, gardens and parks flourish in our region. Every year, we host the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival, with dedicated gardeners opening their hearts and properties to the public.

But always, we turn back to Mount Taranaki.

Its overwhelming presence is a constant reminder of our history and there is something mysterious about it as the holder of Taranaki stories and memories. Through history it has been an inspiration to artists.

The contemporary art gallery, the Govett-Brewster, is one place of many, where artists can display their work. Performing artists are also embraced.

Womad (the international World of Music and Dance) is held annually in the beautiful Pukekura Park. Every second year in August the Taranaki Festival of the Arts pulls in talent from all over the world, providing a feast of theatre, dance, music and words.

Taranaki is also steeped in Maori culture and history. It was here that the New Zealand Land Wars began and conversely where passive resistance and non-violence became famous. Taranaki's European history is preserved at the Pioneer Village in Stratford. 

Taranaki has a growing café, bar and restaurant culture and al fresco dining has become popular during the summer months.

Taranaki products and crafts are gaining a higher profile regionally, and you can find many of them in Puke Ariki's retail space, Vivid. Taranaki also has a selection of wineries, an organic brewery, paua factories and a factory that makes eco-friendly possum fur clothing.

Whether you are coming for the thrills and spills of hard adventure, a leisurely holiday or to learn about our regional history and Taranaki's place as part of New Zealand, there is something for everyone under this mountain. This is us.