Urenui Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Urenui featuring a pebble beach, rugged coastline and general coastal views
Urenui which includes rocky coastline and general coastal views
Urenui featuring a lake or waterhole
New Plymouth featuring a bay or harbour, a pebble beach and general coastal views
New Plymouth featuring a bay or harbour and general coastal views

Located in a quiet corner of Taranaki, this small settlement has a strong Māori connection, great fishing beaches, a scenic marine reserve and fertile farmlands.

Tucked in between the hills and the coast, Urenui in northern Taranaki has its own microclimate as well as a unique social climate, with friendly locals who love a bit of fun.

The Urenui River flows past this sleepy settlement to spill into the North Taranaki Bight, home to the Tapuae Marine Reserve. Stroll along the black sands of Urenui Beach to admire the towering cliffs, at the mercy of the tides and coastal winds.

Just to the east is the Urenui Marae, the last of the community grounds of the Ngāti Mutunga. This Māori “iwi” (tribe) has its origins in Taranaki, but was chased off during the Musket Wars. Today, special iwi events andrituals again take place in the ancestral houses of Mahi Tamariki, Te Aroha and Te Titohea.

While in town, admire the statue of Sir Peter Buck, also known as Te Rangi Hīroa. Buck was a descendant from the Ngāti Mutunga iwi, although his paternal ancestry was British and Irish. Buck not only was the national long-jump champion in 1900 and 1903, he was also a military doctor, a politician, an ethnologist, and eventually the director of Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. Visit the Ōkoki pā historic reserve to pay your respects to this local legend at his final resting place.

Because Urenui is only small, the coastal settlement depends on the creativity of its multicultural locals to get noticed. Some examples of how they keep Urenui on the tourist radar include the Urenui Rodeo, a speed-shearing competition in the local pub and the Naki Run Amuck, a fun run with muddy contestants.

For an epic bike trip, ride uphill to the summit of Kaka Road at Okoki, then through the hand-dug Uruti Road Tunnel and loop back to the highway to return to Urenui. Along the way, enjoy some great views of Taranaki hinterland with its forested valleys.

Urenui is located just north of New Plymouth along State Highway 3, making it a perfect daytrip. Ure means “courage” and nui is “great,” but you don’t to need to be a brave adventurer to discover the hidden treasures of this quiet rural town.

The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel

The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel

4 out of 5
390 Devon Street East, New Plymouth
The price is Rp884.721 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp884.721
Rp1.017.477 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"Good value for money"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel
Plymouth International

Plymouth International

4 out of 5
220 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Location
"Location is great. Supermarket is a little over 1 block away. Entrances to two main roads makes access easy. Plenty of hotel uncovered parking. Petrol stations everywhere. Liquor store a few buildings away. About 1.5km from downtown New Plymouth."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Plymouth International
Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront

Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront

4 out of 5
1 Egmont Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki
The price is Rp1.591.668 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp1.591.668
Rp1.830.418 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (955 reviews)
"The room was good, the pleasure of the shower was fantastic and another great thing was there was bath tab! If there are more parking would be great but we would stay at there next time again."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quest New Plymouth

Quest New Plymouth

4.5 out of 5
21 Currie Street, New Plymouth
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Centre City Shopping ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (653 reviews)
"Very central location, plenty of local shopping and eateries within walking distance"

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Quest New Plymouth
Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park

2.5 out of 5
1d Beach St, Fitzroy, New Plymouth
Stay at this beach cabin in New Plymouth. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Fitzroy Golf Club and East End Reserve are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (88 reviews)
"Lovely location right on such a unique beach"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
Aviator

Aviator

4 out of 5
Airport Drive, New Plymouth Airport
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly villa in New Plymouth Airport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Mahoetahi Historic Reserve ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
"This is a beautiful property to spend a few days in and I recommend it to anyone visiting the region. You also get a lovely view of Mt Taranaki from the kitchen window (weather permitting) which is so lovely. As other reviews have said, this property is luxurious and one of the cleanest accomodations ..."

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2025

Aviator
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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