New Plymouth is growing on us. Over the last 6 weeks we’ve tested out the waters, beaches, cafes, and museums. There’s much to like in this easy going town. We think all of you reading this would love it too! Here are a few of our favorite things:

Jen’s spot- Petit Paris “cafe” on the coastal walkway. The ham, cheese and tomato toasties are delicious and there’s always a good vibe.

PukeKura Park. Cricket field on one end and concert venue on the other- what’s not to like? Walking and jogging trails take you through a gorgeous botanical garden with exotic plants, huge ferns and pine trees.

Kai’s favorite pastime is swimming at Back Beach. Getting down to the water by the Sugar Loaf Islands involves a run/ roll down a big black sand hill. Oh my knees! It’s a slower slog back up so luckily there are some stairs. It’s even more fun with surf boards- whew!

Other than playing video games and drawing pieces like this on his iPad Pro….

Kai also likes practicing his shots at Devon intermediate outdoor courts …

However, things drastically changed at his first day of basketball practice at New Plymouth Boys High. The kids are big here! One player is 6’7″! Kai swears he’s his age. The athletic coach and phys ed teacher is also the coach for the NZ National Basketball team. Guess that’s bringing in the top talent and there’s no JV team. Ouch! Kai’s in the red shorts.

Des’ best day ever always includes a mountain bike ride. His favorite place is Lake Mangamahoe trails, just a couple miles south. It’s pretty awesome and makes Des feel like this..which is a lot more pleasant than reading stuff like this…!

Surprisingly, one of the coolest places is the Puke Ariki library. Fast internet, a research section, and an adjoining museum make it a true gem.

The current traveling exhibit at Puke Ariki is the history of New Zealand beach fashion .

It’s hard to imagine swimming in a wool one piece but that’s what was worn up until the 1940s. (Soon after nylon and elastin fibers were invented.). But New Zealand wool shops dove right into the new market- bathing suits- for a good couple of decades.

Things really picked up fashion wise during WW1. Due to fabric shortages the mid sections of swimsuits were cut out, women could wear trousers and shorts, and female athleticism was a positive. The 50s introduced brands even I have worn, Jantzen suits for one! These ones below were manufactured here.

Then came the 70s..

Surf lifesaving is a competitive sport in Australia and NZ. The 2 present day clubs in New Plymouth, East End and Fitzroy, date back to the 30s. The video below shows lifeguards demonstrating rescue techniques. They employed a tow rope tied to a flotation devise. The strong swimmer swam to the victim and the others hauled the distressed to shore. Today the clubs train lifeguards and prepare kids for various competitions in jet ski/zodiac “driving”, board races, surfing etc. Kai tried out a large knee board awhile back but hasn’t committed to taking the course.

And this has to be Jen’s favorite photo!

Below is a short video made on Waitangi Day. It’s a national holiday ” celebrating” the treaty agreement between the British government and over 40 Maori chefs on February 6, 1840. New Zealand was thus under British sovereignty and became an official self governing country a few years later. Many see Waitangi Day as an opportunity to protest the loss of Maori land and traditions. But overall it’s a joyful holiday where many Maori traditions are celebrated. By the way I still can’t stay it correctly but Maori is pronounced more like “mawdy”.