With a striking blend of natural beauty and a vibrant community Taranaki is fast becoming one of New Zealand’s most desirable places to live. From the iconic peak of Mount Taranaki to the rugged coastline and surf beaches, the region offers a lifestyle that effortlessly balances outdoor adventure with cultural richness and urban convenience. Affordable housing, excellent schools, and a growing economy also make it an ideal destination for both families and professionals.

Bayleys Taranaki General Manager Luke Conroy moved to the region three years ago, attracted by its relaxed lifestyle, family-friendly environment, and wealth of outdoor activities.

“It's got that beach town kind of vibe, where it's a little bit more relaxed than the likes of Auckland which is where I came from. Also, if you're really into the outdoors, it's a cool spot to lay down roots.”

“There are some amazing surf beaches, plenty of walkways, and mountain bike tracks. It’s really focused on outdoor living.”

Conroy says there’s also plenty of opportunity to carve out a career across multiple industries.

“A big part of Taranaki’s GDP would be through the primary industry and that's strong at the moment. Historically oil and gas has played a large part in the local economy but with the landscape changing in this area, it looks as if renewables could play a big part in the future growth in the region.”

But Taranaki is also full of culture too.

“We just had the multi-day arts festival WOMAD, Te Matatini and later this year the Taranaki Garden Festival which all attract a huge number of visitors to the region.”

The housing is also a lot more affordable compared to some of the bigger main centres with the median sales price sitting at $600,000.

So, what are the four up and coming areas across Taranaki, and what can you expect from each of them?

HAWERA

Conroy says Hawera is positioned in South Taranaki and is an overwhelmingly popular part of the district.

“We have regular reports that come through highlighting Hawera as one of the most searched areas throughout Taranaki. It has been constantly landing among the top three for quite some time.”

In particular there’s a lot of interest from investors.

“There's a couple of reasons for that. Firstly, Fonterra has a large facility there, and has recently announced a $150 million investment in a cool store down in South Taranaki, so there’s set to be a large amount of people in the area not just for the construction work, but also for the ongoing maintenance and workforce that would be needed.”

“Secondly, there’s a big appeal in terms of bang for buck. Hawera has some absolutely beautiful homes, everything from old farm stead villas to some substantial subdivisions - all for a great price.”

When it comes to local amenities Conroy says you’re spoilt for choice.

“There's been some activity in the retail sector over the last six months including various cafes and restaurants.”

“There’s a new cafe which has just opened which is off to the side of the new public library. There’s also been improvement in the retail sector, so there's definitely been some substantial investment in the area.”

If you need anything more expansive, Conroy says New Plymouth is about an hour’s drive away.

There’s also some great options for schooling which caters to families moving into the area.

So how much will a property likely set you back? Right now, the median sales price for a spot in Hawera is $462,000.

“It’s very affordable, so great for investors and first home buyers, but there’s also options for people looking for something high end too.”

“We’ve just listed a stunning property around the $1.1-1.2 million mark. It’s a beautiful big home with a substantial amount of land just on the outskirts of town.”

BELL BLOCK

Conroy says Bell Block is about a ten-minute drive north of New Plymouth.

‘We’re starting to see a substantial amount of upgrades to roading and infrastructure to the north of New Plymouth.”

“Along with intensification, it’s clear there's a move to push the city outwards in terms of district planning.”

Right now, there’s some substantial pieces of land that are proposed to be zoned for residential use.

“So, it's starting to trickle through, but actual construction will take a little bit of time, however there's some really good pockets there. I also think that as the area starts to grow, you'll see some heavy investment in the retail sector too.”

Conroy says there isn’t a big supermarket in the area currently but believes it’s only a matter of time before one pops up.

“There's The Warehouse out there and a decent amount of good shops like a food market. It really is starting to bubble away with more activity which is great for the continued growth of the area.”

The location is also hugely convenient too.

“It's still quite close for people who might be working in town, and it’s not far from the coastal walkway, which is a huge attraction for young and older residents.”

“There’s some really good schools out there and a bike park that’s hugely popular with the little ones.”

There’s a mix of housing available including newer subdivisions but also some classic dwellings are also available too.

“There’s definitely a big attraction for middle aged professionals and those of a slightly older demographic. It’s also really close to one of the region's best golf courses so that’s a big draw card for a lot of retirees too.”

Right now, the median sales price in Bell Block is $705,000.

OAKURA

Conroy says Oakura is a little coastal suburb just 20 minutes outside of New Plymouth.

“It’s a cool little beach side lifestyle village. There’s a really nice little pizzeria and a couple of cool little cafes. There's Butler's Reef which is a bit of an institution and a very famous local bar that has some great stories of the old-school concerts that were held there.”

There’s also a stunning beach, a selection of great art galleries and a great Four Square. Conroy says the schooling in the area is also amazing.

“Probably one of the biggest draw cards in Oakura I think would be the Green School. It’s an internationally renowned school, and an attraction for a lot of people coming to the region.

“We’re finding a lot of people are coming here from overseas and are looking to establish themselves there.”

Like Bell Block, Conroy says there’s a mix of housing available to buyers.

“There are a couple of subdivisions which are starting to take shape. We're starting to see some land being unlocked out there, and some residential spaces starting to become available.”

Demand is still strong in Oakura proving it to be a popular destination.

So how much will a home in Oakura set you back? Right now, the median sales price is $655,000.

MERRILANDS

Conroy says Merrilands is a really sought after suburb.

“There are some extremely good schooling options. There's also some great parks and recreational areas that are also easy to access.”

Its proximity to the Merrilands Shopping Centre provides easy access to shops like New World pharmacies, a medical center, and various retail outlets.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the nearby Merrilands Domain and Audrey Gale Reserve provide picturesque settings for swimming, picnicking, and leisurely walks along the Waiwhakaiho River.

The location is also easily accessed with four different entry points into the suburb from various parts of Taranaki.

Conroy says the housing stock is a very sought after mix of old and newer properties, and because there’s not much more land to be unlocked, he says they’re all fetching really good prices too.

Right now, the median sales price in Merrilands is $725,000.