Touch Down in Hamilton
At the heart of the prosperous
Waikato Region, Hamilton is well placed to deliver first-rate facilities for business travellers and conference organisers.
Set amid the lush and fertile pastures of the Waikato, it's no surprise that agriculture has contributed greatly to Hamilton's economic development, making it the centre of New Zealand’s dairy and thoroughbred industries, and one of the world’s most productive pastoral regions. The city also has a strong academic sector, a growing research and technology-based sector, and a healthy manufacturing and retail industry.
As a result, the road, rail and air-connections are first-rate, and the excellent
business infrastructure means you can take advantage of the latest technology if you're attending a meeting or conference here. Bigger hotels like SkyCity and
Kingsgate are well-equipped to handle larger numbers with purpose-built conference and function centres, and the
Alcamo Hotel has three spacious conference rooms, and will tailor-make a special conference pack for clients. Further afield, Hamilton’s Mystery Creek Events Centre taps into the larger business event market, including the popular Fielday agricultural shows.
Hamilton's central location is a big bonus for conference planners too, right on the doorstep of
Auckland (1hr 55min),
Taupo (2hr 10min) and
Rotorua (1hr 40min). In fact, more than 50% of New Zealanders live within two hours of Hamilton. And when delegates arrive, they’ll have no difficulties finding their way around. The city’s hotels, shopping and dining are well placed on the main street (Victoria Street), or on nearby Garden Place.
Flowing through the city centre (parallel to Victoria Street) is the Waikato River, gracing Hamilton with some superb riverside walks and gardens. After the conference doors close, you can make the most of the city’s riverside location with a stroll through
Hamilton Garden, or enjoy a cruise aboard the city’s iconic paddleboat,
MV Waipa Delta.
SKYCITY Hamilton, overlooking the river, has live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays, and there is also laser tag and 10-pin bowling for a spot of teambuilding fun. And if you want some fresh air and exercise, head to one of the 38 golf courses in the Waikato region to practise your swing and enjoy the crisp country air.
Daredevil delegates can set their pulses racing at
Waitomo Caves, with its vast underground caverns and streams. Blackwater rafting, tubing and abseiling
packages are great for an adventure-filled team building exercise, or get airbourne and try hot-air ballooning and skydiving. The beautiful countryside surrounding Hamilton has some more sedate options as well, including wineries, farm tours, gardens and galleries, or visit
Matamata and tour the private farm where Peter Jackson created Hobbiton for his award-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Events in Hamilton
NZ National Fielday (June)
Catch up on the latest agricultural products and services, with more than 1000 exhibitors, new releases, information, machinery demonstrations, technology, and more. This is New Zealand's premier agribusiness event.
Mystery Creek Events Centre,Hamilton.
www.fieldays.co.nz The Waikato Boat, Leisure & Fishing Show (August)
The former National Boat Show has expanded to include the leisure industries, camping, tramping, hunting, watersports, outdoor pursuits, motor homes and caravans.
Venue: Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton.
www.nationalboatshow.co.nz
Rally New Zealand (August-September)
Enjoy the fast and furious racing action at the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest WRC event. Rally New Zealand is famous for its gravel roads which provide plenty of daredevil action as they carry the racers through forests and alongside the stunning coastline.
Venue: Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton.
www.rallynz.org.nz
Conference Venues
Tour Operators
Conference, Event & Meeting Planning
The Hamilton Convention Bureau provides free advice on local service providers and recommended activities for delegates and partner programmes.
Contact Hamilton City Council, phone 07 838 6666.
For regional business information, contact:
Waikato Chamber of Commerce, 190 Collingwood Street, phone 07 839 5895.
Business Development Centre, Hamilton City Council, Garden Place, phone 07 838 6517.
Visitor Information:
Hamilton i-SITE Visitor Information, Transport Centre, Anglesea Street, phone 07 839 3580.
Useful websites