Waikato - North Island, New Zealand

The Waikato region in the North Island is a region deeply rooted in the history and legend of the Maori culture. It was at Kawhia on the west coast that the Tainui people landed.

The canoe is buried here and the tree to which it was moored is still around. Most of the post colonial conflict centred around the Waikato region.

Approaching the region from the north, Waikato is farming country with beautiful green rolling hills and fields full of cattle and sheep. It is famous for the remains of the Hobbiton film set at Matamata. Cambridge is a pretty town nearby with a thoroughbred breeding centre.

The King Country in South Waikato was the last place in New Zealand to succumb to colonisation. This region is home to the famous Waitomo Caves, a series of stunning rock formations above a fascinating netherworld of glow worm caves.

Further south, is beautiful Taranaki with the impressive Mt Taranaki overlooking the town. The Egmont National Park in the vicinity of Mt Taranaki is a tramper's delight. New Plymouth, located at the foot of Mt Taranaki leads to an impressive array of beaches.

The Waikato hinterland is shaped by Taumarunui, an agrarian town that leads to the Whanganui River and its thrilling canoe rides. Close by is the green Whanganui National Park.

The river passes through Wanganui, a small town. To its southeast 60 kms away, the rich farming region of Manawatu is located. The university hub of Palmerston North is in the heart of Manawatu. The highway south leads to Wellington.

Approaching Waikato from Auckland on the Southern Motorway, about 100 kms away, Huntly on the shores of the Waikato River welcomes you. New Zealand's largest power station is located here.

The Waikato Coalfields Museum contains some interesting exhibits on the early days of the coalfield. It still supplies fuel to the power station. Further south about 14 kms away, Ngaru-Awahia is a place of cultural significance.

The Waikato and Waipa Rivers which served as important Maori canoe routes meet here, the King Movement started here and the current monarch lives here.

Regatta Day in mid March displays the glory of Maori heritage when the two rivers host a parade of great war canoes before the Maori monarch.

This town is home to some of the the Maori landmarks like the Turangawaewae Marae, the beautifully carved and decorated Mahinarangi House which houses the Maori throne, the Turongo House which is the official residence of the current monarch and Kimi-ora Cultural Complex with amazing murals and an octagonal roof.

Hamilton

Hamilton located 127 kms south of Auckland is the capital of the Waikato region and is a growing city on the banks of the Waikato River. It is the fourth largest city in New Zealand.

The Waikato University is an institution of repute contributing to a good student population. Some of the highlights are the Museum of Art and History and the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. And in mid June, the city hosts the 4 day Field Days Festival, the largest agricultural festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tainui is believed to be the earliest place of settlement when the earliest Maoris arrived here in the 17th century, at least two hundred years prior to the first European arrivals.

River was the traditional access route until 1878 when the rail line opened Hamilton to the rest of New Zealand allowing more immigrants to come in and establish farming and businesses.

Hamilton - More Information

Raglan

Raglan is located 48 kms west of Hamilton. It is known worldwide for being one of the surfing meccas of New Zealand. The town is a vibrant place with a prominent arts and crafts community. The world famous Raglan surf breaks provide lots of good waves and is the town is home to a prominent surfing community.

Raglan - More Information

Cambridge

Cambridge is situated 24 kms south east of Hamilton. It is a picturesque town taken straight out of a Victorian setting. It has lovely crisp clean air and is renowned for its stud farms. Hamilton is the best accommodation base for touring around Cambridge.

Cambridge - More Information

Waitomo Caves

Waitomo, 8 kms west of SH3, is a place renowned for its glow-worm caves and karst features. Karst is an undulated terrain of limestone in which erosion creates fissures, caverns, sinkholes and underground streams.

The glow-worm caves make for stupendous viewing in the dark. There are several tours from the placid ride through glow-worm illumined grottoes to fast paced wetsuit clad adventure caving trips.

Waitomo Caves - More Information

Te Kuiti

Te Kuiti is a sheep farming town and makes a great base for trips and tours around Waitomo because of its close geographical proximity. The annual New Zealand Shearing and Wool Handling Championships is held here in March end or early April. Te Kuiti also has a rich Maori history.

Te Kuiti - More Information

Waikato Transportation

Transport to Waikato in the North Island is sketchy. There is a rail line running partly through this region.

A single bi-directional daytime service between Auckland and Wellington passes through Hamilton, Otorohanga (access to glow-worm caves), Taumarunui (access to Whanganui National Park), Palmerston North and Paraparaumu enroute to Wellington.

There are bus sevices operating both long and short runs linking various places of interest in the Waikato region.

Waikato Accommodation

Waikato Activities