WAIKATO
The Waikato Region is in the west central area of the North Island, directly south of greater Auckland. The population of the Waikato Region is 383,000, being 9.5% of the population and is the fourth largest region in New Zealand. The main centres in the Waikato Region include Hamilton which is the most populated, Cambridge, Matamata, and Te Aroha. The climate is wet and temperate, with temperatures ranging from 20-25 degrees Celsius in the summer and 0-15 degrees Celsius during the winter months. Industries in the Waikato Region include dairy farming, crop cultivation, a flourishing wine industry and adventure tourism. The thoroughbred racehorse and dairy cattle stud industries are also concentrated in this region and are central to the region's economic strength.
Attractions include the Waitomo Caves which are massive subterranean limestone caverns great for underground spelunking, the Hamilton Gardens, the Waikato Museum of Art and History, the University of Waikato and the popular Raglan surfing points.
www.waikato.ac.nz/www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/
www.wintec.ac.nz/
www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/
www.hamilton.co.nz
