Stratford, New Zealand

Stratford is the main town of the central Taranaki region. Situated directly inland from Mount Egmont/Taranaki, Stratford is a rural service centre.

The Patea river flows through the town, and its supposed similarity to the River Avon, Warwickshire in England led to the town's name. The William Shakespeare 'connection' is played upon by the naming of streets after Shakespearian characters and the clocktower which features the balconey scene from Romeo and Juliet three times a day.