Stratford is the main town of the central Taranaki region. Situated directly inland from Mount Taranaki, Stratford is a rural service centre.
The Patea river flows through the town, and its supposed similarity to the River Avon 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 features the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet three times a day.
