It has been only a week since we were in New Plymouth as guests of Powerco for the opening of the ChargeNet/Powerco charge station.

I lived in Taranaki for a very short stint when I was 17 years old.  I didn’t appreciate just what a beautiful and wild place it was then, but I certainly do now.  It is a charming and welcoming place, and they host an brilliantly organised WOMAD event.  It was truly world class in every way I thought.

Because I was busy soaking up the hospitality and chatting with our hosts, I didn’t take as many pictures as I’d have liked to, but here’s a little taste of the ‘Naki.  A New Zealand treasure, and if you haven’t been for a while, I certainly would urge you to do so!

So this is a collection of pictures from one of the many walks I got to go on through this charming and welcoming West Coast city.

There was an electricity in the air as the WOMAD festival is the biggest event for the city, and perhaps the entire Taranaki region every year.  Our hosts Powerco were WONDERFUL!  We have been hosted around the globe and around New Zealand, and there’s something about New Plymouth (and also the whole South Island while I think of it, NP is on the North) that make me feel extra special and at ease when I am lucky enough to visit.  I can’t say what the magic it, perhaps it is that they are more sparsely populated or a bit more isolated than the major centres?  Whatever the reason, I adore the provinces.

I still haven’t sent a Thank You card to thank them for making us feel like rockstar VIPs, but I will, and I feel absolutely honoured to be working with all of them.  A great bunch of warm, clever, and diverse people.

So, after our practically perfect visit with Powerco, and a wonderful time at WOMAD, it was time to head back up the country and home to Auckland.

Unfortunately, when we packed up to leave, we noticed that the only key for the Tesla was missing.  Luckily, the car is remotely controlled by an app, and you can call to get the car unlocked remotely, as first thing in the morning, we managed to walk away from the car with the phone (and app) in the car.

Turns out, I had left the phone in a shop on Devon street called Emotions.  They kindly gave the key to my wonderful friend Anne, and she mailed it back up to me! WHEW!  Thank You Anne, and Thank You New Plymouth, and Thank You lovely little shops on Devon Street. Very pleased with how it all turned out.

A beautiful drive back to Auckland, here’s a small selection of photos.

So, to wrap up, if you are lucky enough to visit New Zealand, or luckier still and you call this paradise home, I sincerely implore you to make Taranaki a priority to visit soon.  It is a beautiful, warm, wild place, filled with wonderful kind people.