Taranaki

Taranaki, a region of 105,000 residents, is located on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. The dominant physical landmark is Mount Taranaki / Egmont. Its presence helps ensure Taranaki receives a plentiful supply of rain and as a result it is one of the world's premier dairying regions.

In recent times energy has developed as a second major industry. Taranaki is the only area of New Zealand where commercial quantities of oil and gas have been discovered and the presence of these resources has sparked the development of a broad diversity of petrochemical businesses and activities.

The agricultural and energy industries have driven the development of Taranaki's sound commercial and industrial infrastructure. Taranaki's main centre is New Plymouth, a modern city of 55,000 people and the site of the region's port, Port Taranaki.

• One of the world's premier dairy regions
• New Zealand's energy centre
• Well-developed commercial and industrial infrastructure