Hamilton City: "The River City"

Population 131,000 for Hamilton City and 383,000 in the Waikato region.

Hamilton is one of the rare inland cities of New Zealand. The Waikato river flows through the central city and rolling green pastures just 10 minutes out of the main centre demonstrate its strong rural roots. A short drive from Hamilton takes you to beautiful lakes, gardens, and native mountainous country side and adventure activities. The region has excellent hospitals, schools a university and is a thriving city often leaving the impression it is far larger than it actually is.

Boasting a bustling night life, great restaurants and New Zealands highest export region with 20% of all exports this is not a city to be missed. Hamilton is also home to national Agricultural Field days - the largest agricultural trade show in the southern Hemisphere (generating $290 million sales).

Hamilton is close to a number of cities and towns such as Auckland, Tauranga, Waihi, Matamata and fairly close to Rotorua which makes it a particularly handy location.

• Population of around 131,000 people
• Has 3.2% of the total NZ population and is one of the fastest growing cities in NZ
• Has a youthful population - around half of residents are under 30 years old
• NZ European make up three quarters of the population, and Maori 19 percent
• Home to more than 80 ethnic groups
• NZ's longest river, the Waikato, flows for 16km through the city
• Mild climate and moderate year round rainfall keep the city and surrounding area very green
• Mean temperatures - 18C in January (summer) and 9C in July (winter)
• 135 parks and gardens and 58 sports areas
• City has over 1,000 hectares of open space
• Home to 26,000 person capacity Waikato Stadium

Motor industry employment can be found in every sector of industry and the drivers for the jobs are commerce, agriculture, scientific research which is a big industry in Hamilton, the dairy industry. Virtually every major brand in the automotive, heavy automotive, heavy equipment, farm machinery, forklift, motor cycle sector is represented, usually with top class dealerships.

Updated November 2009

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