Waikato, New Zealand

About an hour and a half drive South of Auckland brings you to the lush green pastures of Waikato. The Waikato region, centred on the Waikato River, contains some of the world's most productive farmland.

It is New Zealand's most important dairy region and is the site of the Ruakura Research Centre, internationally known for dairy research.
The mighty Waikato is New Zealand's longest river (420 km) which runs through the region's main centre, Hamilton. Historically, the river was an important waterway for steam boats and Maori Canoes. Today, a replica Paddle steamboat called the M.V. Waipa Delta offers cruises of the mighty Waikato river.

Hamilton

Hamilton is a modern city with a buzzing Cafe culture and offers visitors many attractions such as the beautiful Hamilton Gardens (covering an area of 58 hectares). Other places in the City worth visiting include the Hamilton Zoo and the Waikato Museum of Art and History and the permanent Maori display (featuring Te Winika, a war canoe and a Tainui carving). Another major drawcard for the city is the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival which takes place every Autumn.