New Plymouth
With a population of nearly 60,000, New Plymouth is a lively city, geographically dominated by Mt Taranaki, only 20km away. It has the only deep-water port in this part of the country and benefited economically from the the offshore Maui natural gas field, the largest natural gas and oil field in New Zealand. It is also a farming hub, surrounded by fertile soils and lush farmland.
The city boasts some top surf beaches, hiking and walking in nearby Egmont National Park plus a vibrant arts scene and top cafes and bars.
New Plymouth Airport is 11km east of the city and Air NZ has flights and connections to all the major centres.