Outdoor
Go Karting in Taranaki
Start your engines at the most thrilling tracks in Taranaki.
For casual racers looking for a quick thrill in New Plymouth, the options are currently very limited. Unlike the major metro areas, Taranaki does not have a dedicated commercial go-kart center (such as an indoor drift track or family fun park). The region's karting activity is concentrated at the Newton Harvesting Raceway in Waitara, a high-quality competition track run by KartSport Taranaki.
KartSport Taranaki is the heartbeat of motorsport in the region. Located in Waitara (about 20 minutes north of New Plymouth), their track is a technical, CIK-style circuit designed for owner-drivers. They explicitly state that they do not run a daily rental service for the public. However, they do host "Have a Go" days approximately 3–5 times per year. These are organized events where the club provides race karts and safety gear to the public to try the sport, usually with the goal of recruiting new members.
Commercial Closures:
- Indoor Raceway New Plymouth: Historically, there was an indoor track in New Plymouth, but it is no longer operating. The nearest "Indoor Raceway" brand is now located in Porirua (Wellington).
- Palmerston North: Daytona Indoor Raceway (approx. 3.5 hours south).
- Hamilton: Blastacars or Hampton Downs (approx. 3.5 hours north).
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
1 kart track
Outdoor
Outdoor
KartSport Taranaki
Waitara, Taranaki
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The museum - permanently closed circuits
Go karting in Taranaki - FAQs
Common questions about karting in Taranaki.
Currently, no. There are no commercial go-kart rental tracks operating in New Plymouth. The nearest track is the club-run Newton Harvesting Raceway in Waitara, but it is not open for daily public rentals.
KartSport Taranaki runs these events 3 to 5 times a year. Dates are announced on their website and Facebook page. They are popular and often require joining a waitlist.
No. This facility is closed. Confusion often arises because there is a popular track called Indoor Raceway in Porirua (near Wellington), but the Taranaki location is no longer active.