Hamilton: Student City

Waikato: Action Central

Waikato University is at the heart of adventure country. Raglan and the southern hemisphere's best left-hand break are just 40 minutes away, while the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty have some of the country's most beautiful beaches. Waikato is the closest university to Whakapapa's ski resorts, and there are forests, lakes and thermal hot pools within an easy drive of campus.

South Waikato has awesome mountain biking, rock climbing and motor sport courses, while adrenalin junkies can opt for jet boating, quad biking or some of the best white water rafting in the country. Taupo is famous for its extreme activities like bungy jumping, skydiving and wakeboarding. University clubs cater for all of these activities, making it easy to have a go at something new.

Hamilton: Student City

Hamilton is a student city. With more than 46,000 people in tertiary study, there is a huge range of things for students to do and see. Great shopping, cafés, restaurants and bars, international sporting venues, theatre groups, art galleries - you name it, Hamilton's got it.

The Night Life

Hamilton has the best student nightlife in the country. There's a good local network of underground bands and, with 60 bars and cafés on one block alone, no shortage of venues. Whether you're into hip hop, acoustic guitar, house, punk, metal, opera or Super-14 on the big screen, there's a place for you. Late night buses offer a safe, budget transport option and because everything's so close, taxis are cheap. Famous for its live music scene, Hamilton has produced bands such as The Datsuns, 48May and Katchafire.

The Day Life

Hamilton has all the benefits of a big city without the hassles. Traffic is minimal and the University is only five minutes' drive to the central city. Yet it has all the facilities, shops and entertainment options you expect and the student discounts to match. Hamilton is a cosmopolitan city with a wide variety of restaurants and cafés to choose from - Thai, Mexican, Spanish, Japanese, Indian, Chinese and many more, so you'll never be short of a place to eat.

Following the Waikato River through the city will take you past riverside cafés, beautiful running and cycling tracks, the Hamilton Gardens and even some swimming holes.

Hamilton and the Waikato are home to some great events and traditions. While you're studying here you'll find yourself caught up in them, whether it’s ringing a cowbell at a Chiefs game, watching friends perform at the University's Academy of Performing Arts, or cheering Waikato on in The Gallagher Great Race.

The Gallagher Great Race

Waikato has links to some of the most prestigious universities in the world through The Gallagher Great Race - a university tradition. Each year crowds line the banks of the Waikato River to cheer home our Waikato rowing eight against a crew from one of the world's top universities. Cambridge, Oxford, Washington and Harvard universities have all come down under to take up the challenge against the men's crew, with Melbourne and Sydney universities competing against our women’s crew. There is free riverside entertainment throughout the day with big screen coverage of race action.

'O' Week

Every year, the Waikato Students' Union puts on a week-long celebration welcoming students called Orientation or 'O' Week.

During the day, activities include live music, competitions, Fear Factor-style challenges, sports matches, markets, a clubs' day and much, much more. After sunset the nightlife takes off. Top national and local bands play in Hamilton and our many bars and cafés turn it on for the students. On the study side, there is Academic Orientation and all new students receive a Welcome Pack to get them off to a great start.