Waikato

Waikato is an administrative region in the North Island of New Zealand. The area is named after the river Waikato. Hamilton is the capital of the district.

The region makes up almost 25,000km². It is bordered on the west by the Tasman Sea and to the northeast by the Pacific Ocean. In the north, it joins the Auckland region, the regions the East Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay and south regions Manawatu-Wanganui and Taranaki.

In essence, the region can be separated into three geographical parts:

In the far west of the district near the coast runs a low mountain chain the Hakarimata range, the same in the north – at the mouth of the Waikato River in the Tasman Sea – a steep hillside of a mountain range. This area is volcanic and is known for black sand beaches, which are interrupted by three natural harbors. This area is particularly well suited for surfing.

East of this ridge begins the Waikato Plains, a vast plain, known for its fertile soil and temperate climate. This area is intensively used for agricultural purposes, although even here there are not drained peat swamps.

Farther east, bordering the Bay of Plenty, the land rises in the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges and at mid-mountain level is largely forested. In addition, the Coromandel Peninsula, east of the city belongs to the Auckland Regional area.

The economic and cultural center of the region is the town of Hamilton, which, together with about 120,000 inhabitants, is the fourth largest metropolitan area of New Zealand.

The following localities, which, besides Hamilton are still in the Waikato Plains and which have 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants are: Matamata; Tokoroa; Te Awamutu and Cambridge. Smaller settlements are Huntly, Morrinsville, Ngaruawahia, Otorohanga, Putaruru, Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Te Kuiti, and Tirau.

There are also important places that are not in the normally “Waikato” intended area, but are still officially belonging to the region. They are mainly the Coromandel Peninsula and the southeastern parts of the region, i.e. mainly the Taupo District.

The most important among them are Taupo itself, not far from Turangi, Waiuku, south of Auckland, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Thames, Whangamata and Whitianga in the Thames Valley and on the Coromandel Peninsula.

History

The Waikato region was one of the most densely populated areas of Maori in New Zealand. This led in the 1860s to the area being fiercely contested in the New Zealand wars. Today, the current king of the Maori, Tuheitia Paki, lives in Waikato.

Subdivisions

Hamilton City Council
Thames-Coromandel District
Franklin District (part of)
Hauraki District
Waikato District
Matamata-Piako District
Waipa District
South Waikato District
Otorohanga District Council
Rotorua District (partial)
Waitomo District
Taupo District (part of)

Economy

A rain forest in the Thames-Coromandel District on the Coromandel Peninsula. The two main industries are agriculture and tourism. Especially in the low-lying alluvial plain of the Waikato River, maize is grown and cattle kept. The Northeast of New Zealand is also known for its high quality wines.