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New Zealand > Waikato
> Hamilton
By Jessica Lloyd
NZ’s Fastest Growing City
 Situated on the banks of the Waikato river,
Hamilton is one of the North Island’s semi-attempts at a city. It distinctly
lacks in cool, but it makes no apologies. Whether it should or not is purely a
matter of opinion. Hamilton is New Zealand’s third fastest growing city with
around 129, 000 people, and
because of this it has an evolving personality. If Hamilton were a person, at
the moment they would be a bit geeky, probably overweight, their hobbies
including gardening and beer sculling competitions (whilst wearing the same
clothes as all their friends and listening to top 40). It is lacking in both
class and any sense of unique.
With farming as its community base, this is not a
surprise. Farmers are not renowned for their fashion sense and individualism. It
doesn’t have the big city feel, it is far more personal which can mean –
depending which way you look at it – you get a sense of ‘community’ or ‘everyone
knows your business’.
The Waikato area
has about 350,000 residents and within 150km of Hamilton there are around 1.6million people,
so the economics of Hamilton are excellent. It is a major commercial and
industrial centre. With four major highways running through it and being home to
the biggest railway junction in New Zealand, Hamilton is the North Islands
biggest inland city. It now has an international airport, making it more of a
travel destination with better airfare prices than Auckland. The Waikato region is an interesting travel
destination in itself, so being based in Hamilton can make sense if you want to
go investigate something like the Waitomo Caves.
Hamiltonians
This group of people are culturally quite diverse with about 80 different
peoples, and no, they are not all farmers. In fact, very few of them are farmers
on a per capita basis, but the town supports farmers every inch of the way so if
you are not a farmer, you probably work for a company who works for farmers. If
you are a young family, a university student, or a middle aged person furthering
your career while avoiding the stench of the big city and the limpness of small
towns, Hamilton offers a larger range of opportunities than say, Paeroa or Tirau.
Hamiltonians have a reputation for being a bit on the chavvy side. “Chav” is a
townie who isn’t quite versed in sophisticated living, therefore a bit behind in
the times, though still giving themselves a bit of a rap. The girls love their
white pants, and the guys have only just found out that pink shirts are supposed
to be ‘in’. Hamilton is riding the modernism wave and because of the increase in
population, has a far better chance of becoming cool than ever before. In spite
of this, it’s not looking good.
Nightlife
Going out in Hamilton can be a real trip into suburbia-cum-farmland-cum-baby
city. The clubs and pubs are usually packed out, especially if there is a big
rugby game on. Drinking is one of the only things to do to be entertained here,
with nights filled with bad dancing, worse singing, and lots of man-hugs,
whether you are in fact a man or not. There are a few main pubs and clubs right
in the centre, like the Outback, which everyone seems to end up at. Going out is
probably one of the more fun things to do in Hamilton, but watch out because
manners are not the strong point of this big overgrown farming town. The
standard of behaviour is fairly low when out and about. Restaurants and bars up
the class a bit and there are some excellent places to go out and try a very
diverse range of foods, drinks, and entertainment with top quality service.
Fun Things to do in Hamilton
The lake is very beautiful, and is a good place to go and have picnics or chill
out if you are so inclined. There is also a zoo, many parks and walkways, pools,
skateboard parks, and large events stadiums. Shopping is reasonable, nightlife
is reasonable, and on a whole, if you have to be there, Hamilton is not the
worst place in New Zealand to live or visit.
The Mighty Waikato
The Waikato River runs through the centre, and supplies the Waikato district
with water. All the farms and towns along its banks ensure that it is full of
farming runoff and effluent. They do try to keep it clean, but a huge amount of
life is sustained by it and of course we humans love to pollute our environment
any way we can! The river is used for water sports, but is not recommended for
swimming in, as if that stops anyone. The currents are quite strong in places,
and although some of the bridges look like they would be good for jumping off,
people sometimes die due to such idiocy. This huge river and the shape of the land
also ensures that Hamilton is smothered in a rich, creamy, freezing, wet fog for
most of winter.
What’s on in Hamilton
There are numerous big events held in Hamilton, such as Mystery Creek Field
Days, a huge annual agricultural expo. This expo is the largest of is kind in
the Southern Hemisphere. The annual calendar is reasonably full, with expos and
events for all sorts of things from crafts to health to model railroaders.
Some local events are:
- January
The
Waka Ama Sprint Nationals (2006), Parachute Christian Festival.
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February
South Pacific Masters Games, Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival, National Woodturning Exhibition, Raglan Jazz & Blues Festival.
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March
NZ National Motor Show, NZ Shearing Championships, Ngaruawahia Regatta, Putaruru Water Festival, Otorohanga Kiwiana Festival, A Day in the Te Aroha Domain.
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April
Balloon’s over Waikato, Te Kuiti Muster.
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May
International Food & Wine Festival.
-
June
National Agricultural Fieldays. Held annually, this is the largest
agricultural exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere.
-
August
NZ National Boat Show.
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September
The Gallagher Great Race.
Accommodation
 We
recommend the
Kingsgate
Hotel Hamilton situated within minutes drive from the city centre and other local
attractions, like the Waterworld Pools in Te Rapa and Te Rapa Racecourse.
The hotel offers a total of 147 rooms equipped with facilities like private
bathroom, TV, direct dial telephone and a mini bar. The Gamekeepers Restaurant
offers a la carte and buffet style dining. The lounge bar is a perfect place
to relax. Other facilities include baby-sitting services, foreign exchange and
guest laundry.
Waikato links
and Accommodation
Getting There
Rail - Air - Bus - Self Drive
Situated about an 90 minutes drive south from Auckland,
depending on the traffic flow.
Hamilton can be described as a gateway to Auckland as most traffic to and from
Auckland and other
north island regions must pass through it. However being centrally located it is
a good base to explore the region. The towns of Tauranga, Rotorua, Thames and
Taupo are all within 2 hours drive.
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