Hamilton tourist information

Hamilton is New Zealand's seventh largest city. It is situated in the Waikato region of the North Island, approximately 130 km south of Auckland. The city, lying at a major road and rail nexus, is situated in the centre of the Waikato basin, on both the east and west banks of the Waikato River.

Due to Hamilton's rapid growth, some consider the city's newer suburbs to be lacking in character. However, the centre of the city is vibrant and lively, and the Waikato river runs through it. Hamilton has the second-largest collection of cafés in the country—second only to Ponsonby Road in Auckland. As of 2004, the city has been enjoying the benefits of rapid growth without yet suffering related negative consequences, though traffic congestion is increasing at a faster rate than population growth, unaided by the fact that State Highway 1 runs through the city's urban area.

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 largest aircraft-manufacturing operation, Pacific Aerospace, and has its largest concentration of trailer-boat manufacturers.

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