About the Waikato

The Waikato is a region of lush green pastures and mountains, bush and farmland, stunning waterfalls, hot mineral pools, caves and exceptional beaches and surf. The beautiful Waikato River starts its journey from Mt Ruapehu in the south through to Port Waikato in the north weaving its way through the region taking in the major settlements of Taupo, Cambridge, Hamilton, Ngaruawahia and Huntly. Waikato is renowned for its adventure tourism, life sciences research, agribusiness, and dairy farming. It is one of the world's richest agricultural and pastoral areas, with more dairy cows than any other region in the world. It is New Zealand's highest export-earning region, accounting for around 19 percent of the country's total exports. In addition, about 25 per cent of New Zealand's scientific research happens in the region. Hamilton, population 130,000, is the main centre and home to Waikato Hospital, Waikato University, Waikato Polytechnic (Wintec) and Innovation Park. In the Waitomo area, south of Hamilton, there's a natural underground labyrinth to discover. Massive caverns are adorned with stalactites and stalagmites lit up by glow-worms overhead giving the effect of an eerie underground sky which visitors can admire from a water-borne barge.

The Waikato River dominates the region rolling through hectare after hectare of rich rolling green productive farmland. It is the longest river in New Zealand running for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the Huka Falls, then flows northwest, through the Waikato Plains. It empties into the Tasman Sea south of Auckland at Port Waikato. It gives its name to the Waikato region that surrounds the Waikato Plains.

The name Waikato comes from Māori and translates as flowing water.

Hamilton

Hamilton is New Zealand's fourth-largest city, and is also one of the fastest growing. With its strong economy, highly educated and diverse population this city is known for its well respected tertiary educational facilities, scientific research, world class stadiums and event venues, parks and gardens, fine cuisine and cafes and culture. Hamilton is set to grow by 26% in the next 16 years. Developments to support this include the city's transport strategy; events centre and theatre redevelopment’s; CBD upgrade; and the city hosts international events such as the World Rally Championships, World Rowing Championships, V8 Supercars and pool matches in the 2011 World Rugby Cup. Fieldays is New Zealand's premier agri-business event, bringing buyer and seller together to create an agricultural hyper-market. It's hosted every year at the Mystery Creek Events centre just outside Hamilton. Balloons over Waikato is New Zealand's premier hot air balloon festival. Held annually, in Hamilton, this five-day event it is arguably the most popular event in the city. It attracts balloonists from all over New Zealand and around the world, who come to experience the fun, friendship and warmth this balloon friendly city provides and to demonstrate their skills in a range of competitive activities.

View live city webcams Hamilton events Waikato Stadium Hamilton Gardens Hamilton V8 Supercars 2010 World Rowing Championships Fieldays Balloons over Waikato Waikato regional and district councils

Hamilton International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand with direct international flights to Australia and Fiji and a wide range of domestic flights.

Cambridge/Te Awamutu (Waipa District)

Cambridge is known as the Town of Trees and Champions and has a population of around 16,000. It has a stunning tree-lined entrance on the north side, leading to the remarkable St. Andrew's Church and the English-styled Village Green and is only 24km from Hamilton.

Cambridge is a centre of the equine industry, and the Equine Stars Walk of Fame, featuring mosaics of famous horses paves part of the town centre. The equine industry brings a great deal of fame to this town, with many overseas horse buyers recognising the quality of our thoroughbreds.

Cambridge Raceway has grown steadily from humble beginnings and today holds a prominent place in the racing industry.

Cambridge also has antique shops, art galleries, and a blossoming café culture.

Maungatautari is a mountain sanctuary for native wildlife only 15 minutes drive from Cambridge and now a beautiful home for reintroduced kiwi and their newborn plus other native birds.

Te Awamutu is the council seat of the Waipa District and serves as a service town for the farming communities which surround it. It has a town population of 9,500 and service area population of 39,000 and is 29km south of Hamilton.

The town is often referred to as "The Rosetown of New Zealand", because of its elaborate rosegardens in the centre of the town. Many local businesses use "Rosetown" in their name, and the symbol of the rose is widely used on local signs and billboards.

Te Awamutu was a major site during the New Zealand land wars of the 19th century, serving as a garrison town for the colonial settlers.

Tokoroa/Putaruru/Tirau (South Waikato District) Tokoroa is the hub of New Zealand's forestry, timber and pulp and paper industries. Located between Taupo and Hamilton, it lies at the crossroads between productive dairy farmlands and forestry plantations. It’s within easy reach of some of the most scenic stretches along the mighty Waikato River. The lakes and rivers offer excellent trout fishing, boating, water skiing and yachting. Since 1997, Tokoroa has been "sprouting" Talking Poles, consisting mainly of carvings representing ethnic culture, sport & recreation and industry in the town. Putaruru's nearby Blue Spring is the current source of about 60 per cent of New Zealand's bottled water and its economy is based on farming, forestry and timber production. Based in some of the most fertile land in New Zealand, Tirau is not only surrounded by pine forests and horse stud farms, but has a variety of outdoor high adventure activities that would challenge the best - canoeing, white water rafting, four-wheel drives, jet-boating and bush walks, all nestled in the magnificent scenery of the Kaimai and Mamaku ranges.

Te Kuiti/Otorohanga (Waitomo District)

Known as the sheep shearing capital of New Zealand, Te Kuiti is a tranquil town, surrounded by some of the most serene and unspoiled countryside.

There are excellent educational facilities within the area including three secondary schools, 22 primary schools, childcare & early education centres and three tertiary education institutes.

The town is supported through various community services and local government offices.

Otorohanga is the gateway to the Waitomo Caves, which is located nearby and has also been recognised as the "Kiwiana Town" of New Zealand.

Thames/Coromandel/Hauraki

The Thames population is serviced by a wide range of local businesses that boast a good trade and service sector as well as a full range of educational facilities from pre-school/childcare facilities through to tertiary and continuing education programmes.

In addition, there’s a lot to do!  Whether you enjoy shopping, history, movies, participating in sporting activities, experiencing beautiful forests and coastlines, fishing and other water sports, or camping and hiking.

The township of Thames is often referred to as the gateway to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula.

The Hauraki Gulf lies between the eastern side of north Auckland and the western sides of the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island. It is exposed to open sea only in the north and hence possibly its name – hau meaning wind and raki meaning north.

The sheltered waters of the gulf make it a fisherman's paradise. The even more sheltered waters of the inner part of the gulf, that is, of the Waitemata Harbour and Tamaki Strait, are surrounded by beautiful bays and beaches which make the area popular for all water sports.

Taumarunui

Taumarunui has gained in importance as a tourism centre, especially as an entry point for voyagers down the scenic Whanganui River and as the possessor of a high quality golf course.

It is commonly known as the centre of New Zealand’s North Island and The Middle of Everywhere! as it is located in the heart of the King Country region. New Zealand's first national park is at its doorstep - Tongariro National Park a summer and winter attraction making for great tramping and scenic walks around the majestic Mt Ruapehu which is still an active volcano.

Fishing, boating and swimming are popular during the summer, with winter drawing visitors to the nearby Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields.