The Last Samurai New Zealand Film Location

You won’t find Japan in Taranaki, but you will find the scenery and adventures that kept the cast and crew of The Last Samurai totally captivated on their days off. Climb to the summit of the mountain, dip into the white water world of dam dropping or learn to paddle a traditional Maori waka. From theatrical shows to surfing, Taranaki offers a unique mix of holiday ingredients.

Under The Gaze Of Mount Taranaki

When Taranaki became Japan for the making of The Last Samurai, the landscape and cultural attributes of the region were a major talking point for the film’s cast and crew. Tom Cruise renewed his passion for surfing and horse riding, while Billy Connolly went fishing, explored art galleries and revealed all at the local sun club.

Maori Legend

The Maori legend of Mount Taranaki explains why the volcano resides in splendid isolation on the tip of the North Island’s west cape. As the story goes, Mount Taranaki once lived with the other volcanoes of the central North Island - Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. But Taranaki fell in love with a pretty hill called Pihanga, who happened to be the wife of Tongariro. After a fiery battle with Tongariro, Taranaki was banished from the central plateau. His falling tears created the mighty Whanganui River as he fled to the west coast.

Experience Maori Culture

	FAST FACT: There are over 300km of walking tracks in the Egmont National Park in Taranaki - making the forest, high alpine slopes and surrounding ranges among the most accessible areas of New Zealand's national parks.

To discover the aesthetic side of Maori life, visitors can visit the workshops and studios of artists. Displays of customary and contemporary carving, ta moko (traditional tattoo) and weaving are often followed by a traditional hangi (earth oven) feast.

Activities in Taranaki

West-facing Oakura Beach is the place to catch great waves and spectacular sunsets.
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Apart from rugby, which is a regional obsession, two sports feature prominently in Taranaki conversations - surfing and trout fishing. ‘Surf Highway 45’ is a self-drive route that takes in 105 kilometres of excellent breaks along the coast. For fly fishing enthusiasts, the rivers and lakes of Taranaki are home to rainbow and brown trout.

Other cultural pursuits - such as theatre, art and gardening - thrive in the fresh New Plymouth air. Local theatre groups and art galleries are known for their new ideas and creative interpretations.

Botanical creativity is on permanent display in the region’s extensive parks - wander through the rhododendrons, vireyas, magnolias and camellias of Pukeiti and fill your camera with perfect blooms.