| Hamilton is situated in middle of the Waikato in the | | | | Hamilton is a great place to live. A safe environment |
| North Island of New Zealand. Hamilton is New | | | | with low crime rates where people are able to enjoy |
| Zealands largest inland city, connected to the ocean | | | | participating in their communities. A recent resident |
| by the mighty Waikato River. | | | | survey reflects that with more than eighty percent of |
| The permanent population of about one hundred and | | | | residents saying they feel safe in their neighbourhoods. |
| sixty thousand. | | | | It is home to the biggest agricultural trade show in the |
| The earliest recorded settlers in the Hamilton area | | | | southern hemisphere, namely the Field days. Other |
| were Maor. The people called an area on the west | | | | tourist activities include the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. |
| bank of the Waikato River Kirikiriroa which is the Maori | | | | The major attraction of Hamilton is its extensive |
| name for Hamilton today. The area was later renamed | | | | garden complex that covers an area of fifty eight |
| Hamilton after Captain John Charles Fane Hamilton, | | | | hectares and features a number of themed gardens, it |
| who was killed at the battle of Gate Pa in Tauranga in | | | | is certainly not your average botanic garden |
| 1864. | | | | experience. |
| In 1863, the New Zealand Settlement Act enabled land | | | | The town is famous for its themed gardens, and the |
| to be taken from Maori by the Crown. This resulted in | | | | local zoo, which has the largest free flight aviary in the |
| one million hectares of land being confiscated in the | | | | Southern Hemisphere an excellent chance to find out |
| Waikato region, and part of this land provided the basis | | | | about distinctive native birds. |
| for European settlement in Hamilton. | | | | The southern end of Hamiltons Main Street offers an |
| Formal European settlement was established on 24 | | | | excellent choice of restaurants, cafes and bars. |
| August 1864, when Captain William Steele came off | | | | If you feel like exploring and relaxing simultaneously a |
| the gunboat and established the first Memorial Park. | | | | cruise down the Waikato River in style aboard the MV |
| A military outpost was set up. The Borough of | | | | Waipa Delta is also worth considering. Offering |
| Hamilton was established in 1877. | | | | morning and afternoon teas, buffet lunches and dinner |
| Vibrant, diverse and thriving Hamilton combines all the | | | | and cocktails, this is sightseeing in style. |
| vigour and energy of a bustling city with a relaxed, | | | | Arts and culture offers visitors and residents a chance |
| easy lifestyle. | | | | to experience the cities unique identity. A theatre |
| A melting pot of more than eight ethnic groups, the | | | | performance at the Meteor can demystify an |
| cities cosmopolitan flavour is accentuated by its multi | | | | unfamiliar culture. A visit to Te Winika at the museum |
| cultural mix of cafes, pubs and restaurants that | | | | can ground us in the familiar, and the visual arts, |
| contribute to an exciting night life. | | | | contemporary and traditional can mirror both. |