Hamilton: New Zealand events capital
As New Zealand’s events capital, playing host is nothing new for Hamilton.
When the 2010 World Rowing Championships open at Lake Karapiro on 31 October, Hamilton will readily welcome the tens of thousands of visitors associated with the major event.
It is the second time the Waikato region has hosted the World Rowing Champs, and the region’s main city is well versed in the needs of international rowing teams, support crews, officials and spectators.
When the first World Rowing Championships were held at Karapiro in 1978, the late Richard Burnell - champion British Olympic oarsman and UK Sunday Times correspondent described the event as both "the greatest show on water" and "the most successful world rowing championship yet staged".
National events hub
Hamilton, just 35km north of the rowing venue, will provide a vibrant, friendly support centre for the many visitors who’ll call it home in the lead-up and during the World Rowing Championships.
Well-versed in catering for an influx of guests, Hamilton has earned a reputation as a national hub for world-class events including an international leg of the V8 Supercars Australia Championship, Fieldays - the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural and innovation exhibition, and Parachute - Australasia’s biggest three-day music festival.
With over 170 bars, restaurants and cafes throughout the city, Hamilton boasts the highest per capita hospitality choice in New Zealand.
Lonely Planet guide describes Hamilton’s Hood Street bar precinct as "THE place" to enjoy a night out, and it is also home to River Kitchen - New Zealand’s best café in the prestigious Cuisine magazine awards.
Hamilton’s heart
The vibrant and fast-growing city of Hamilton sits on the banks of New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato.
Hamilton (pop: 141,000) is New Zealand’s fourth largest city, and its rich cultural mix, dynamic centre and scenic attractions make it a great place to experience the friendly Kiwi lifestyle.
With a strong pioneering history in agriculture based on the surrounding rich flood plains, Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand’s largest export region and as a centre for bio-tech, business and creative industries.
Key attractions in the city include the 58-hectare Hamilton Gardens - featuring a unique "story of gardens" including the new Te Parapara Māori garden, Hamilton Zoo, and the award-winning Waikato Museum which celebrates the unique art, culture and history of the region.
Rowing central
Rowing has always been a strong sport in Hamilton, with local secondary school teams and the University of Waikato producing some of New Zealand’s top talent on the water.
The annual Gallagher Great Race pits home-town favourites from Waikato University against world-class teams from international universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard and Washington.
In 2010, Cambridge University took the Harry Mahon trophy in the men’s final, and Waikato defeated Sydney in the women’s race.
Waikato River
The Waikato - New Zealand’s largest and longest river - flows through Hamilton’s city heart. Along its banks, scenic walking and cycling tracks offer a popular means to enjoying the tranquil waterscape.
A boat cruise - from Memorial Park or Hamilton Gardens - glides peacefully through the tree-lined cityscape. Kayak tours and horse treks that follow the river banks offer visitors the chance to learn more about the rich local history and culture.
Cultural significance
The Waikato river has carved a distinctive geological path through the region, and is also important historically to both Māori and European settlement.
Local Māori credit the people of the great voyaging Tainui waka / Māori canoe with naming the river Waikato / flowing water after observing its strong pull to the sea.
The river is an important taonga / treasure of the Tainui tribe, and provides a physical and spiritual sustenance for Māori in the region.
A well known tribal proverb refers to the taniwha / mythical water spirit dwelling in the river as a metaphor for Māori chiefs: Waikato taniwha rau, he piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha which translates as 'Waikato of a hundred taniwha. At every bend a taniwha can be found.' The expression relates the power and prestige of the Waikato tribes to that of the river.
More information
Cambridge, NZ: 2010 World Rowing Champs host
2010 Rowing World Championships
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