Hamilton

Overview

Relaxing spots and wildlife are prevalent in Hamilton. The vistor should wander in the gardens and see the well presented zoo. If energy still needs to be used up then possibly a visit to the waterpark or a walk near the lake.

Hamilton City is situated in the North Island and straddles the banks of the Waikato River. It is a major service centre for the fertile agricultural region of the Waikato (which generates nineteen percent of New Zealand's total export earnings).

New Zealand's dairy industry is centred in Hamilton, with a strong technological-based research and development capability. Research facilities are located in and around the city, including Landcare Research, AgResearch, and Dairying Research Corporation. The city also contains some of the region's main educational assets, including the University of Waikato and Waikato Polytechnic.

The earliest recorded settlers in the Hamilton area were Maori from the Tainui canoe. The Tainui people called an area on the west bank of the Waikato River, between the Hamilton Hotel and London Street, Kirikiriroa (long stretch of gravel). At that time the river was the major means of communication and connection with other settled areas. In the 1860's the land wars started along with raupatu (land confiscation), which resulted in subsequent European settlement. A military outpost developed mainly in Hamilton East until the evolution of land transport and the development of agriculture. In 1867 the road was opened to Auckland and a regular coach service commenced, followed in 1877 by railway from Auckland. The town gradually changed...more

History