Location

Waikato - the best of city and country in one thriving region

Hamilton is New Zealand's fourth largest city, with a youthful population of around 170,000 people. We are also a true student city, with more than 40,000 tertiary students.

Hamilton is located at the heart of the Waikato region, one of New Zealand's leading wealth-creating regions, and is strategically positioned about 1.5 hours' drive from both Auckland and Tauranga.

We are home to more than a quarter of the country's export businesses, as well as scientific research institutes based at Waikato Innovation Park.

Hamilton offers a relaxed yet urban lifestyle with dozens of beautiful parks and gardens, peaceful river walks; and a vibrant CBD boasting a great range of cafes and restaurants.

In recent years, the city has established a reputation as a growing centre for IT, banking and events/conferences, as well as servicing the needs of the surrounding Waikato farmland.

The city is right next door to some of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations including the surfing and swimming beach of Raglan, world renowned for its left-hand break, and Hobbiton, the famous movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.

The University of Waikato is the closest university to the North Island's central snow-covered mountain ski areas.