-	Alle bildene fra Waikato

The Waikato is a region in the north-west of the North Island of New Zealand. Ngaruawahia, near Hamilton Waikato's main centre, is home to the recently crowned Maori King Tuheitia Paki, at Turangawaewae the National Marae. New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato River (425 km) winds its way through this region. The rivers eight power stations supply electricity for the national grid, also creating eight picturesque hydro lakes, perfect for numerous water activities. The Waikato planes are renowned for their fertile soils. The Tainui iwi were growing their kumara (sweet potatoes) here for hundreds of years before the Europeans chased them down to the King Country, and started milking their cows here. On the Western coast you will find Raglan, with one of the longest left-hand surf breaks in the world, plus a multitude of breath taking scenery.

The Tasman Sea is the boundary to the west. From Port Waikato, the black iron sand of the Waikato Coast heads south including three magnificent natural harbours, Raglin/Waingaroa Harbour, Aotea Harbour and the Kawhia Harbour, as well as Marokopa and its remote coastline, as far south as The Mokau River mouth, its boundary with the Taranaki Region. The spectacular Kaimai Ranges are the northern boundary to the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty regions. The still very active geothermal fields of Rotorua, Oraki Korako, and Taupo are the eastern boundary. The steep, dense, bush clad King Country lays to the south. Winding through the middle of all this the Waikato River passes some of the most fertile farmland in the country.

The Waikato was one of the most densely populated parts of the country when the Europeans arrived, the two prominent tribes being the Tainui and the Ngati Toa . There was also significant bloodshed in the “land wars” and the “invasion of Waikato” in the 1860s.

Hamilton City is the main centre for The Waikato Region. Just 1.5 hours drive south of Auckland, Hamilton is home to the University of Waikato, “The Mighty Moo Loo men“, and the “Waikato Cheifs Rugby Club“. Hamilton is a large agricultural service town, where there is always plenty for all to enjoy.
The towns of Cambridge, Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Morrinsville, Matamata, Te Kauwhata, Te Kuiti, Tirau and Putaruru are also all service towns, but each are unique in its own way. Tokoroa, the heart of the South Waikato District, is surrounded by exotic pine forests, which supply the local paper mill with pulp. There is some great hunting in the forests and fishing in the many hydro-lakes throughout the Waikato.

The Jewel in Waikato’s crown must be the Waitomo Caves, Near Otorohanga. The caves are home to a species of glow-worms endemic only to this cave system. Inside the caves are thousands of intricate limestone stalactites and stalagmites that have been millions of years in the making. The cathedral chamber is a natural masterpiece, where New Zealand’s own opera diva, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa once performed.

The Waikato River has many nice places to camp and picnic along its banks, a great way to enjoy this region is with a hired campervan or motorhome. The district councils, and many local clubs along the Waikato River have started creating a series of walking tracks along the river, which will eventually be linked together to make the Waikato Historic Walkway