Hamilton, New Zealand

Urban Area
Hamilton

Population:	185,000 (urban) 131,400 (territorial)
Mayor:	Michael Redman
Extent:	north to Taupiri; south to Kihikihi; southeast to Cambridge; and extensive adjacent countryside
Territorial Authority
Name:	Hamilton City
Extent:	Te Rapa to Glenview; Temple View to Silverdale
See also:	Matamata-Piako District South Waikato District Waikato District Waipa District Waitomo District
Regional Council:	Waikato

Hamilton is New Zealand's seventh largest city, and is situated in the country's fourth largest metropolitan area. It is situated in the Waikato region of the North Island, approximately 130 km south of Auckland. The city, lying at a major road and rail nexus, is situated in the centre of the Waikato basin, on both the east and west banks of the Waikato River.

History

The area now covered by the city was originally the site of a handful of Māori villages, including Kirikiriroa, from which the city takes its Māori name. By the time English settlers arrived, most of these villages, which sat beside the Waikato River, were abandoned. The new English settlement was renamed Hamilton after Captain Fane Charles Hamilton, the popular commander of HMS Esk, who was killed in the battle of Gate Pa, Tauranga. The city is located near the southernmost navigable reach of the Waikato River, amidst New Zealand's richest and most fertile agricultural land. Initially an agricultural service centre, it now has a growing and diverse economy.

Geography and climate

Climate

Hamilton has a temperate although sometimes damp climate, with about 1184 mm of rainfall annually. Daily maximum temperatures range from about 22° to 26°C in January and February to 10° to 15°C in July and August. Summer occasionally see temperatures of more than 30°C, while on clear winter mornings temperatures may drop to as low as -4°C. Although there are rumours of a snowfall in Hamilton in the 1960s and nearby Mount Pirongia sees a dusting of snow once every few years, snow does not fall in Hamilton.

**Climate Table**
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum temperature (°C)	23.8	24.3	22.7	19.9	16.6	14.1	13.6	14.6	16.2	17.9	20	22	18.8
Mean daily minimum temperature (°C)	12.8	13	11.6	9.2	6.6	4.7	3.9	5.1	6.7	8.3	10	11.5	8.6
Mean total rainfall (mm)	85	71	87	95	102	119	126	117	102	96	93	95	1190
Mean number of rain days	8	6	8	9	11	13	14	14	14	12	11	9	129
Source: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research

Geography

With the exceptions of low hills around the university, Hamilton Lake and to the west of the city, and an extensive network of gullies, the terrain of the city is relatively flat.

Hamilton Today

Due to Hamilton's rapid growth, some consider the city's newer suburbs to be lacking in character. However, the centre of the city is vibrant and lively, and the Waikato river runs through it. Hamilton has the second-largest collection of cafés in the country—second only to Ponsonby Road in Auckland. As of 2004, the city has been enjoying the benefits of rapid growth without yet suffering related negative consequences, though traffic congestion is increasing at a faster rate than population growth, unaided by the fact that State Highway 1 runs through the city's urban area.

Younger people sometimes affectionately refer to Hamilton as "Hamiltron: City of the future" or "the Tron".

Demographics

Hamilton is a rapidly growing city of over 130,000 people with around 1.5 million people - 40% of New Zealand's total population - living within a 250-km radius.

The city is growing to be a very diverse society. Many immigrants also settle in this city, mostly from the Pacific Islands. Hamilton is still largely European, mostly of British origins, but there also people of Polish, Italian, and Yugoslav origins. According to New Zealand statistics office, Hamilton's population is 79.2% Pakeha/European; 15% Māori, and the remainder mainly Asian and Pacific Islander.

Government and politics

The Hamilton City Council consists of 13 councillors and a mayor (currently Michael Redman), and last faced election in 2004. Council elections are held every three years.

The council has six standing committees: City Development, Community and Leisure, Statutory Management, Transport, Finance and Audit, and Stadiums Management. There are also five sub-committees.

Economy

Education and research are important to the city, through the University of Waikato and through the agricultural research centre at Ruakura, which have been responsible for much of New Zealand's innovation in agriculture. Hamilton annually hosts the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek, the southern hemisphere's largest agricultural trade exhibition. Mystery Creek is the country's largest event centre and hosts other events of national importance, such as the National Car Show and the National Boat Show. Manufacturing and retail are also important to the local economy, as is the provision of health services through the Waikato Base Hospital. The city is home to New Zealand's largest aircraft-manufacturing operation, Pacific Aerospace, and has its largest concentration of trailer-boat manufacturers.

Education

Hamilton is home to more than 25,000 tertiary students, mostly enrolled in one of the city's two tertiary institutes, the University of Waikato and Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology).

High Schools

Primary and Intermediate Schools

Culture

Museums and theatre

The city is host to a large number of small galleries and the Waikato Museum of Art and Culture. The latter includes Te Winika, one of the best-preserved waka (Māori war canoe) from the pre-colonisation era.

Events

Sport

The local rugby union teams are Waikato (NPC) and the Chiefs (Super 14). The local colours are yellow, red and black hoops, and the provincial mascot is Mooloo, an anthropomorphic cow. Both teams play at Waikato Stadium.

Westpac Park is Hamilton's main cricket venue and it has hosted Test matches and One Day Internationals. It is the home ground of the Northern Districts Cricket Association.

Hamilton is fast becoming a motorsport venue as well. The WRC has been confirmed for Hamilton from 2006 and the V8s are coming from 2008 subject to resource consent. This is looking likely as the Hamilton City Council suggested the race and is a strong backer.

City facilities and attractions

Hamilton Gardens is the region's most popular tourist attraction and hosts the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival each year. Other local attractions include Hamilton Zoo, the Waikato Museum of Art and Culture, the Art Post art gallery, and Sky Riverside casino. Just 20 minutes' drive away is Ngaruawahia, the location of Turangawaewae Marae and the home of the Māori Queen.

Transportation

Air

Hamilton International Airport, undergoing a major upgrade, serves as both a domestic and international airport. There are direct flights to both Wellington and Christchurch and regular flights to other destinations throughout the North Island. International flights are largely restricted to trans-Tasman and Polynesian destinations. The airport also serves as a major base for low-cost airline Freedom Air.

Road

Private cars are the transport medium of choice in this flat, spread out city. The main geographical barrier in the city is the Waikato River. The six bridges that cross the river are often the focus of morning and evening traffic delays. While buses have been gaining in popularity in recent years, the relative lack of congestion compared to other cities, ample availability of parking and inconvenient bus schedules have been holding up progress.

New Zealand's main roading artery State Highway 1 runs through Hamilton's western suburbs and connects with State Highway 3 within the city boundaries.

Rail

Rail passengers are served by Hamilton Station, located in Frankton. Passenger rail services are confined to The Overlander, operating daily between Auckland and Wellington.

Notable Residents

Craig Baird — racing car driver, born in Hamilton.
Richard & Christopher Chandler — Monaco-based multi-billionaires, lived and initially went to school in Hamilton.
Helen Clark — the current Prime Minister of New Zealand, born in Hamilton.
Guy Doleman — actor who played the villain 'Count Lippe' in the 1965 James Bond movie Thunderball, born in Hamilton.
Howden Ganley — Formula One motor racing driver, born in Hamilton.
Gillian Karawe Whitehead — one of New Zealand's most highly regarded composers, born in Hamilton.
David Mackay — President and Chief Operating Officer of Kellogg Company worldwide, born in Hamilton.
Elsie Locke — children's writer, historian, editor and activist, born in Hamilton.
Richard O'Brien — creator of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, lived in Hamilton.
Scott Newth — sound engineer, producer for the Datsuns
Frank Sargeson — renowned author, born in Hamilton.
Daniel Vettori — cricketer, resides in Hamilton.
Scott Styris — cricketer, raised and educated in Hamilton.
Dick Quax — Olympic Silver medallist and world record breaking runner, raised and educated in Hamilton.