Hamilton

Hamilton located in the Waikato region of the North Island, is the seventh largest city of New Zealand. It is about 130 kilometer from south of Auckland. Hamilton has the population of about 118,000. This city of Hamilton is built around the beautiful Waikato River. The Hamilton of today was originally the site of Maori villages in the past.

Hamilton got its name from a popular Scottish commander Captain John Charles Fane Hamilton. Before long it was called Kirikiriroa or ‘long gravel beach’ for being the part of handful of Maori villages. Hamilton was predominantly an agricultural city, but now other sectors like manufacturing and retail are gaining popularity, providing varied employment opportunities.

Hamilton enjoys temperate, damp climate, with an average rainfall of 1,190mm. June to September are the rainy months in this region. Summer temperature can usually range between 20°C to 25° C, although sometimes it reaches to 30°C as well. Thick fog is a common phenomenon during winters, average temperature ranges between 0°C to 15°C. Thunderstorms are common here, but snow does not fall in Hamilton. There are rumors of a snowfall nearby Mount Pirongia, Hamilton in 1960s.

Hamilton has its own international airport, for domestic and international travelers. There are direct flights to Wellington and Christchurch and regular flights to other destinations all through the North Island. Freedom Air, a low cost airline also operates from Hamilton.

University of Waikato and Waikato Institute of Technology are the major research and education institutes of Hamilton. Ruakura center in Hamilton is the country’s main center for innovation in agriculture. National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek is the biggest agricultural exhibition in the southern hemisphere. Mystery Creek also hosts the largest national events like National Car Show and National Boat Show every year. Hamilton is the hometown for Pacific Aerospace, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the New Zealand.

Hamilton comes under the jurisdiction of the Hamilton City Council. The council consists of thirteen counselors and a mayor. Council elections are held every three year. Hamilton also has three electorate member of parliament in the New Zealand Parliament.

Rugby is the most popular sport in Hamilton, the local rugby teams have strong fan following. Waikato Stadium is the center for such activities. Other than rugby, soccer and cricket are some of the most played games here. Hamilton hosts test matches and one day international at Seddon Park, formerly called the Westpac Park. Adventure enthusiasts have fast given Hamilton popularity as a motor sport venue. Hamilton hosted the World Rally Championship in 2006. The City Council has granted permission for other such tournaments in 2008

Hamilton has a strong infrastructure of roads and railways. The highways here connect this region with the main cities of New Zealand. Besides being the railway junction of the East Coast Main Trunk line, Hamilton also has as underground station in the central city.