Life is good in the Waikato.
With easy access to Auckland, Tauranga and surrounding areas in the region – it’s easy to commute to work, catch up with friends, and take children to child care, school and sports activities. In fact, 85 per cent of residents say they love living in the Waikato.
Location
Located at the heart of the upper North Island with easy access to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, and the rest of New Zealand, Waikato people can enjoy the benefits of being part of a large population without the stress of big city living. Excellent roading and communications infrastructure make it easy to do business and keep in touch with family and friends.
Environment
The environment underpins our economy and is also our playground. Waikato has the most varied environment of any region in New Zealand - stunning coastlines, lush pastoral landscapes, forests, cave systems, mountains, the largest lake in Australasia, the longest river in New Zealand, geothermal activity, and internationally renowned wetlands – which means you can experience all the different elements of New Zealand’s great outdoors in a single day.
Economic Diversity
The region has one of New Zealand’s most diverse economies so job and career prospects are generally good, and further enhanced by the region’s world class education, science, research, health and other professional services
Culture and Connections
The region’s rich Māori and European heritage creates a unique regional identity. People are warm and welcoming, with around 70 per cent of Waikato people saying they know they can call on others when they need a hand. There are countless opportunities to gather as a community thanks to a varied cultural and sporting events calendar.
The Waikato region is home to a vibrant artistic community.
This is evident in the number of events, museums and galleries throughout the region. From sculptors and painters to illustrators and fashion designers, creativity is flourishing in the region providing ample opportunity to enjoy the arts.
View a locals guide to the arts scene, or visit Creative Waikato's Facebook page.
Housing
There is a wide range of housing, from apartments to lifestyle blocks with room for a pony and other livestock.
News
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Indigenous designer revitalises Māori design through community collaboration
Indigenous designer Jade Kake of Whangārei, treated Hamilton audiences with a kōrero (talk) recently as part of the School of Media Arts’ Ramp Talks at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa Marae, Wintec.
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Waikato Food Inc Award Winners Announced
Sky City Hamilton was a buzz on Monday night as over 300 people came together to celebrate the Waikato Food Inc Awards.
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A Taste of Home from the Home Kitchen Team
Hamiltonians can now order their own taste of Home Kitchen to share with family and friends as the social enterprise supporting former refugees living in Hamilton launches a ready-made meals range.
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Performers transform Waikato streets into stages for Best Fest
Over the weekend, a once-off regional festival dubbed ‘Best Fest’ had approximately 200 performing artists across 16 Waikato towns, take their talent to the streets. Best Fest was a Waikato-wide COVID-19 arts response.