Page 130 - WDT Winter 2018 japan

Part of the Puke Ariki complex is
Arborio, one of New Plymouth’s best
restaurants – perfect for a lunch with
some family members. “How’s your
day going?” my husband enquires
over NZ Green lip mussels steamed in
a white wine. “Fine”, I answer coyly, not
wanting to reveal that I’ve been blown
away by my experience already. The
fantastic sea views from Arborio to
the waterfront and the innovative cui-
sine only add to that.
To walk off lunch and get some
fresh air after the gallery and muse-
ums visits, I hit the expansive sea-
edge promenade and set foot on
the award-winning Coastal Walkway.
Swaying opposite Puke Ariki is Len
Lye’s outdoor artwork Wind Wand.
Measuring 157ft in height and made
of red fiberglass, the kinetic sculpture
is one of the icons of New Plymouth.
Like so many of Lye’s creations, the
Wind Wand is “alive”: lighting up dur-
ing the night and bending in high
winds.
New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway Photo by Wibke Carter
runs from Ngāmotu Beach to Bell
Block or vice versa. As a pedestrian,
the 8 miles walk would take around
3-4hrs but access points to shorten
the experience are aplenty. Parts of
the walkway, notable for the use of
robust materials with strong lines and
textures to stand up to and reflect
upon the character of the west coast,
have been open since 2001. However,
it was not until the construction of the
iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge that the
walkway became a visitor’s favorite.
Surrounded by runners, rollerblad-
ers, cyclists and skaters of all ages, a
fresh breeze tussles my hair. To the

Photo Credit Rob Tucker

130 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018