The Taranaki region lies on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand with a land area of 723,610 hectares (3% of New Zealand's area) and a population of 104,127 people (2006 Census).

Four distinct landforms make up the region. The Taranaki volcanic ring plain, centred on Mount Taranaki/Egmont (2518m), provides fertile free-draining volcanic soils which support intensive pastoral farming. The Taranaki hill country to the east is steeply dissected and prone to soil erosion, but can support well managed pastoral farming and commercial forestry. There are two coastal terraces along the north and south Taranaki coast. The fourth major landform is the Coastal environment which is dominated by high energy wave and wind conditions as the region is exposed to the west. The Taranaki region has a temperate climate with abundant rainfall and high sunshine hours, making it green, lush and fertile.

Population
Three districts make up the Taranaki region: New Plymouth District (population 68,898), Stratford District (8,892) and South Taranaki District (26,484). The two main population centres are New Plymouth (49,500) and Hawera (11,000). 

The economy
The region relies on its natural and physical resources for its social and economic well-being. More than 2,000 dairy herds operate in the region and produce almost 20% of New Zealand's total milk solids. Sheep and beef farming is largely confined to the hill country along with exotic forest plantations and indigenous forest cover. Oil and gas reserves, including Kapuni and the larger Offshore Maui, Pohokura and Kupe gas field, and the associated processing, distribution and export of hydrocarbons also contribute significantly to the regional and national economy.

Fresh water
Over 300 rivers and streams flow from the slopes of Mt Taranaki/Egmont in a distinctive radial pattern. Eleven major river systems drain the eastern hill country. There are ten lakes (greater than eight hectares) in the region. Taranaki's fresh water resources are highly valued and extensively used, and are under increasing pressure to meet the needs of agriculture, industry and domestic use.

Air
Taranaki enjoys a high standard of natural air quality thanks to the coastal nature of the region, the dispersed population, and lack of heavy industrialisation or high motor vehicle densities. The region's 'fresh clean air' makes a significant contribution to the high quality of Taranaki's environment.

Coastal environment
There are almost 300 kilometres of coastline in Taranaki. Management of the coastal marine area (from mean high water springs to the regional boundary 22 kilometres offshore) rests with the Taranaki Regional Council and the Department of Conservation.
Land
Taranaki has an extremely diverse land base, ranging from fertile well drained plains and terraces, to steep, erosion prone and relatively infertile hill country and mountain slopes. Much of Taranaki has been developed for agriculture, particularly pastoral farming. Over 60% of the region is in grassland or crops, and nearly 40% of the land area is in indigenous or exotic forest cover.