Hamilton's Premier Visitor Guide to Accommodation, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Shopping and Travel Located in the heartland of New Zealand is a city on a mission, a progressive, beautiful city that we are proud to call "home". Hamilton City is the 4th largest city in New Zealand and a great place to stay when visiting New Zealand. Only 1 1/2 hours drive from Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, Hamilton is a safe, friendly, clean city and a great place for family holidays. By basing your stay in Hamilton (The holiday hub of the central North Island), you are within a short drive to the pristine beauty of The Coromandel Peninsula , the superb sandy beaches of Mount Maunganui and the "Thermal Wonderland" of Rotorua (The Maori cultural capital of New Zealand), beautiful Lake Taupo (New Zealand's largest lake), or a short trip to see the grandeur of the Waitomo Caves. For those who enjoy surfing, there is the choice of great surfing beaches to the west at Raglan, or northeast to The Mount. During the Winter months, visit Whakapapa and Turoa skifields, on the magnificent slopes of Mt Ruapehau, and enjoy a full day's fun in the snow. Whether you simply wish to take a scenic sightseeing tour around our region, or go bungy jumping, hot air ballooning, jet-boating, cruising, fishing, or a myriad of other pursuits and activities, our region has it all. All this, while you base your stay in Hamilton City, the hub of New Zealand's Central North Island scenic adventure playground. 2010 World Rowing Championship A warm, New Zealand welcome to the official web site for the 2010 World Rowing Championship, which will take place at Lake Karapiro in 2010. 2010 will mark the second time the World Rowing Championships have come to Lake Karapiro and New Zealand in the event’s history. The first time was back in 1978 and that championship proved to be one of the more memorable in the sport’s history. It isn’t every day that international championships come to New Zealand and it is guaranteed to be a festival of the sport not to be missed, whether you are a visiting competitor, a team member, a domestic or international spectator, an official or a volunteer. Detailed planning has been on-going for three years and there have been significant changes to the infrastructure of the Lake Karapiro facility to help ensure these championships are once again a hugely memorable one for everyone who comes to race or watch. The goal of everyone involved in the planning and build up to the event is for all to share in the unique experience of New Zealand, Lake Karapiro and the Rowing World Championships.

Hamilton City Pacific Blue Telephone Bookings and Enquiries Freephone (NZ): 0800 67 00 00 Website: www.pacificblue.co.nz

Air New Zealand Telephone Bookings and Enquiries Freephone (NZ): 0800 737 000 Tel: +64 (0)9 357 3000 Website: www.airnewzealand.co.nz

Sun Air Telephone Bookings and Enquiries Ph: 07 5757799 Fx: 07 5757789 Website: www.sunair.co.nz

Welcome to Hamilton City, 'our place', in the central North Island of New Zealand.

Education and research are important to the city, through the University of Waikato and through the agricultural research centre at Ruakura, which have been responsible for much of New Zealand's innovation in agriculture. Hamilton annually hosts the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek, the southern hemisphere's largest agricultural trade exhibition. Mystery Creek is the country's largest event centre and hosts other events of national importance, such as the National Car Show and the National Boat Show. Manufacturing and retail are also important to the local economy, as is the provision of health services through the Waikato Base Hospital. The city is home to New Zealand's only aircraft-manufacturing operation, as well as its largest concentration of trailer-boat manufacturers.

Hamilton is a rapidly growing small city of over 130,000 people, including 25,000 students, mostly enrolled in one of the city's two tertiary institutes, the University of Waikato and Waikato Institute of Technology.
It is centrally located within the North Island, with around 1.5 million people - 40% of New Zealand's total population - living within a 250-km radius. The city lies at a major rail and road nexus. Hamilton's airport has now been upgraded to service international flights, although these are still largely restricted to trans-Tasman and Polynesian destinations.

Hamilton International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand and provides the greater Waikato Region with direct international flights to Australia and a range of domestic flights. Hamilton International Airport

Hamilton Gardens is the region's most popular tourist attraction and hosts the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival each year. Other local attractions include Hamilton Zoo, the Waikato Museum of Art and Culture, the Art Post art gallery, and Sky Riverside casino. Just 20 minutes' drive away is Ngaruawahia, the location of Turangawaewae Marae and the home of the Maori King.

The local rugby union teams are Waikato (NPC) and the Chiefs (Super 14). The local colours are yellow, red and black hoops, and the provincial mascot is Mooloo, an anthropomorphic cow. Many national and international rugby games are played at the Waikato Stadium during the NPC and Super 12 seasons. The All Blacks (New Zealand's national rugby team) play international matches at the stadium.