Situated on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton is New Zealand's largest inland city. It is a central, affordable, increasingly river-facing city which is growing fast.
The population is youthful and innovative: about half of its residents are under the age of 30. It's also a culturally diverse city, home to more than 80 ethnic groups.
Despite its strong population growth, from 160,800 in 2016 to 176,500 in 2020, it is comfortable in its own skin. At a time when city centres are suffering around the country in the wake of Covid-19, Hamilton is going through a renaissance, with new CBD developments making the most of the magnificent Waikato.
While Hamilton is larger than some Australian capital cities, such as Hobart and Darwin, it's easy to get around. It is also a 90-minute drive to Auckland, a short drive to the surfing haven of Raglan, mountains for skiing and not too far from Rotorua, Tauranga and Taupo. This presents opportunities for day trips, exploring and discovering, and Hobbiton is just around the corner.
Hamilton is in the centre of New Zealand's largest dairying area. Agriculture is the main contributor to the city's economy and has an abundance of job opportunities, with demand for skilled workers that is only expected to increase with the area's growth.
Key employers in the city are top science research industries, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.
