Why Waikato?
The Waikato region is effectively the heartland of New Zealand, a region of lush green hills, forests, farmland, lakes and rivers between two coastlines. Located in the upper centre of the North Island, the region is extremely well placed to enable students to live and study in a smaller provincial city, while being surrounded by an incredibly diverse mix of cultural and geographical attractions.
Waikato, in the native Māori language, means “flowing water”. It was the name given to New Zealand’s largest river, and then to the province in which the University of Waikato is located.
New Zealand’s largest winter ski areas are less than three hours drive to the south. Two of the best surfing beaches in New Zealand are located between 45-90 minutes drive away to the east and west of the city.
To the south, the cities of Rotorua and Taupo offer an enormous range of Māori, geothermal, and adventure sport activities and attractions.
Forest parks, lakes, thermal hot pools and limestone caves can be found all over the Waikato region. Lake Karapiro, only 25 minutes drive from Hamilton, offers world class rowing and other water sport activities. Fishing, tramping and mountain biking are also well catered for.
If you're not claustrophobic you could head underground and experience the thrill of caving - float through limestone caves on inner tubes or even abseil down into the famous 'Lost World' at Waitomo Caves, just 40 minutes drive from Hamilton.
Fishing, tramping, mountain biking are particularly well catered for, with the Waikato becoming the extreme sports capital of New Zealand.
Hamilton City is New Zealand's 4th largest, with a population of
125,000. It has an active music, art and café culture, with a distinctively New Zealand flavour with many people attracted to the much lower cost of living than neighbouring Auckland, and convenience to recreational activities.
Hamilton is a student city with more than 25,000 people involved in tertiary study. The city caters for every student need and has a large range of activities for students. The city is clean and green with very little pollution, traffic congestion
or other urban problems.
Hamilton hosts the New Zealand rounds of the international V8 Supercars motorsport street race (March/April), the WRC World Rally Championship, (August) and the RipCurl Pro Surf Classic at Raglan (March).
Hamilton offers an excellent shopping experience for all, with department stores, markets and fashion shops all within walking distance of each other. In the main area of the city, you can find eateries, gift shops, chain stores and cinemas.
You could take a stroll through the beautiful Hamilton Gardens, or walk, jog, or picnic along one of the walkways that run alongside the mighty Waikato River. Hamilton Zoo, located on 35 acres of land, has the second largest free flight aviary in the world and also houses the New Zealand Forgotten Forest exhibition.
Hamilton is within 40 minutes drive of the West Coast, and just over one hour's drive from the East coastal beach resorts. New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, is only 90 minutes drive north, and the World famous tourist resorts of Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, and Taupo are likewise no more than 90 minutes drive away.
From quaint and quirky art villages, to ecologically diverse pristine forest parks, the Waikato region offers international students a central location from which to enjoy a diverse range of activities.
Find out more about New Zealand.
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