Kete New Plymouth

Running off Tavistock Street in Westown, Benbow Place was formed in 1971 as part of the “Catholic Block” of a large development of state houses created by the Ministry of Works’ Housing Division.

The name, officially accepted by New Plymouth City Council’s Works Committee in September 1973, was copied from a list of streets in England’s Plymouth, the original Benbow Street being located in a suburb called Morice Town. This was once a separate village in the parish of Stoke Damerel, the majority of which belonged to the St Aubyn

Rangi Street used to run off the western side of Egmont Street in New Plymouth, on the block between King and St Aubyn. The little dead-end street was named after the great chief of Puke Ariki pā, Te Rangi Apiti Rua (Te Ātiawa and Taranaki iwi), whose mighty fortress once covered this part of town. The carved totara doors inside the ceremonial bronze entranceway to Puke Ariki Museum tell the story of Te Rangi Apiti Rua, who some traditions maintain was the leader who actually

Taken by Ron Lambert c1980s

Kawau Street once ran from Gill Street in New Plymouth down to the western end of Molesworth, before Molesworth was joined up with St Aubyn Street in 1991.

Named after Kawau pā, which was located at the mouth of the Huatoki, the general outline of the little street can be seen on the earliest town plans but it doesn’t appear to have been named until many decades later. Remnants of the pā itself can still be seen on

Today it remains obvious that businessman Newton King was highly regarded in Taranaki. Newton Street in Fitzroy and a wharf at Port Taranaki are named after him. The road leading to the wharf was also named after him.

King was born in 1855 and went into business on his own account at the age of 23. He was successful in several ventures and played a significant role in enhancing Taranaki’s rapidly developing dairy industry. As his business interests expanded, he began to wield a lot

This small church in the settlement of Douglas, east of Stratford, was opened on 23 January 1916. The opening service was conducted by the Rev. A.B. Chappell from New Plymouth. 

It was located opposite the school on land donated by Mr John Rae. The church cost £127 and was built to seat 100 people.

Methodist services ceased in 1956 and in later years it was used by Presbyterians and Anglicans as part of the East Taranaki Co-operating Parish circuit. 

The final service was held in October 1980.