Puke Ariki, New Plymouth Museum, Taranaki, New Zealand

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Puke Ariki

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Translating as ‘Hill of Chiefs’, Puke Ariki was once a (fortified village) site, and is now home to the i-SITE, a fab regional museum, a library, a cafe and Arborio restaurant. The excellent museum has an extensive collection of Māori artefacts, plus colonial, mountain geology and wildlife exhibits. We hope the shark suspended above the lobby isn't to scale.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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1. Puke Ariki Landing

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An appropriately austere stone New Plymouth landmark that presides over the Coastal Walkway and a public playground.

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Atop Marsland Hill (great views!) is this wee observatory, with one of the most powerful public-access telescopes in NZ.