Geographically defined by one of New Zealand’s most recognisable landmarks, Taranaki has a unique natural environment that firmly underpins the well-being, livelihoods and lifestyles of our 104,000-plus people.
Taranaki’s 723,610 ha make up approximately 3% of New Zealand’s total land area. The region consists of four distinct landforms, each of which requires a different type of environmental management. These are:
- The volcanic landscape and ring plain centred on Mount Taranaki.
- The dissected Taranaki hill country.
- The coastal and inland marine terraces of the North and South Taranaki coast.
- The coastal and marine environment.
Many rivers and streams flow across the landscape. Of these, some 530 are named.
The region lies in the path of weather systems moving east over the Tasman Sea and the climate is generally sunny and windy, with moderate temperatures and regular rain throughout the year. Annual rainfall varies markedly, ranging from less than 1,400 mm in coastal areas to more than 8,000 mm at the summit of Mount Taranaki.
The climate and subsoils are suited to high-producing pastures, with about 60% of the region used for high-intensity pastoral farming.
Approximately 40% of the region is in indigenous forest and shrubland, mostly within Egmont National Park and areas of the inland hill country.
Agriculture, particularly dairying (and to a lesser extent, sheep and beef farming), has dominated the local economy for more than a century. However, since the second half of the twentieth century, oil and gas exploration and development has become increasingly important.
Taranaki remains New Zealand’s only commercially-producing oil and gas area and an area of continuing exploration activity.
Taranaki’s population was 104,127 at the March 2006 census. This represents a 1.2% increase since 2001, reversing a 3.5% decline between 1996 and 2001. Over the past 10 years, however, the region’s population decreased slightly from 106,590 to 104,127.
Taranaki accounts for 2.6% of New Zealand’s population. The general trend has been for a decrease in the population of smaller rural towns and an increase in concentration of population in North Taranaki.
The Taranaki population is both older and younger than the national average, with a higher proportion of children aged under 15 years (21.8%) and adults aged over 65 (14.8%). The percentage of Maori continues to increase – from 11.9% in 1991, 14.7% in 2001 and 15.8% in 2006. Nationally, Maori make up 14.6% of the population.
Since 2004, economic growth in Taranaki has been consistently above the national growth rate, with the rate of growth slowing from early 2007. From 2004 to 2006 Taranaki recorded among the highest rates of economic growth in the country.
Overall, Taranaki makes up 2.5% of national employment and contributes 2.8% of national gross domestic product.
Under the Local Government Act 2002, Councils must promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of their communities, and are required to identify ‘community outcomes’ – the things that the community thinks are important for its well-being and want to see as the desired end result.
The four local authorities in the region have undertaken extensive consultation to identify Taranaki people’s desired ‘outcomes’ as:
- A secure and healthy Taranaki: a region that provides a safe, healthy, and friendly place to live, work or visit.
- A prosperous Taranaki: a region that boasts a sustainable, resilient and innovative economy that prospers within the natural and social environments.
- A skilled Taranaki: a region that values and supports learning so that all people can play full and active roles in its social, cultural and economic life.
- A connected Taranaki: a region that delivers accessible and integrated infrastructure, transport and communication systems which meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
- A sustainable Taranaki: a region that appreciates its natural environment and its physical and human resources in planning, delivery and protection.
- A together Taranaki: a region that is caring and inclusive, works together, and enables people to have a strong and distinctive sense of identity.
- A vibrant Taranaki: a region that provides high-quality and diverse cultural and recreational experiences and encourages independence and creativity.
The state of the environment has an important influence on the achievement of a number of these community outcomes.