Puke Ariki

Overview

Puke Ariki takes its name from the hill it stands on, once the site of a significant Māori pā overlooking the Taranaki coast. The building itself, opened in 2003, combines New Plymouth's museum, public library and official visitor centre under one roof, with a distinctive curved copper-and-glass design facing the sea.

Its collections cover Taranaki's Māori history and taonga, the region's volcanic geology and natural history, and the colonial and land-conflict history of the province, including the Taranaki Wars of the 1860s — a significant and difficult chapter often underexplored elsewhere.

Things To Do

• Taranaki Naturally gallery — natural history exhibits covering the region's volcano, coast and wildlife.
• Taranaki Whanui gallery — Māori history and taonga from the wider Taranaki region.
• Ngā Motu Marine Reserve displays — exhibits on the Sugar Loaf Islands just offshore.
• Visitor information centre — trip planning and bookings for the wider Taranaki region.
• Waterfront location — combine a visit with a walk along the adjacent Coastal Walkway.

Getting There

Puke Ariki is on New Plymouth's waterfront, in the centre of the city and an easy walk from most central accommodation. There's public parking nearby and it's directly on the Coastal Walkway.

Gallery

Nearby Attractions

New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

A 13km waterfront path through the city, including the Wind Wand sculpture.

Mount Taranaki

The region's iconic volcanic cone, about 45 minutes' drive inland.

Tongaporutu Three Sisters

Sandstone sea stacks on Taranaki's rugged north coast.

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