Located 242 kms southwest of Hamilton and 234kms northwest of Palmerston North, New Plymouth is the main commercial centre for the Taranaki region.

With views of Mt Taranaki/Egmont, New Plymouth is the centre of New Zealand's centre fields.

New Plymouth is also known for its annual festivals - The Festival of Lights, Taranaki Festival of the Arts and the Taranaki Rhododendron Festival.

New Plymouth is served by InterCity Coachlines,  Air New Zealand Link Air New Zealand air services from Auckland and Wellington.