Facts about Hamilton

Hamilton today

NZ's largest inland city, and 4th largest urban area
Kirikiriroa (meaning long stretch of gravel) is city's Maori name
Population of around 131,000 people
Has 3.2% of the total NZ population and is one of the fastest growing cities in NZ
Has a youthful population - around half of residents are under 30 years old
NZ European make up three quarters of the population, and Maori 19 percent
Home to more than 80 ethnic groups
NZ's longest river, the Waikato, flows for 16km through the city
Mild climate and moderate year round rainfall keep the city and surrounding area very green
Mean temperatures - 18C in January (summer) and 9C in July (winter)
135 parks and gardens and 58 sports areas
City has over 1,000 hectares of open space
Home to 26,000 person capacity Waikato Stadium

Is at the centre of one of the richest agricultural and pastoral areas in the world
Major service centre for the Waikato region - NZ's highest export region with 20% of all exports
City is NZ's leading area for hi-tech innovative manufacturing and engineering industries
Dairy industry is centered around Hamilton and Waikato - world class centre of agicultural biotech excellence
Home to much of NZ's science research and numerous major research facilities
11,000 businesses located within Hamilton
More than 40,000 tertiary students at University of Waikato, Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) and Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Home to national Agricultural Fieldays - largest agricultural trade show in the southern Hemisphere (generating $290 million sales)
City's closeness to two main sea ports (Auckland and Tauranga), 2 international airports (Auckland and Hamilton), railway, south Auckland industrial base and state highways provide significant opportunities for export and import
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