Hi,
sorry for not checking in and seeing your posting.
Taranaki is a great place. teenagers if they are into the outdoors and sport will thrive on living here.
Snow on our mountain in winter, surf in the summer, what could be better.
High Schools vary from top of the line to average.
New Plymouth boys high and Francis douglas (catholic) boys are very high performing boys highschools nationally (both produced many All Blacks), girls high and sacred heart for ..girls! both very good
The only Co-Ed school is spotswood, which is also pretty good.
There really isn't any "no go areas' in new plymouth or all of taranaki.
websites, try this
http://www.wiredmail.co.nz/
Overall, there is no better place to live than taranaki. New Plymouth whilst a small town has gone thru a real resurgence, good coffee and food, but still a small town.
But it's the beaches and outdoor life that makes it great.
best of luck
Mike