Waikato Region
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Top Places
Hamilton, Waitomo caves, Waikato River, Raglan, and Hobbiton.
Information
Waikato is the name of a region that sits below the populous Auckland Region. The Waikato as it is known contains New Zealand's biggest river, also called the Waikato. On the banks of this river is Hamilton, the biggest city in the region. It is New Zealand's biggest inland city and fourth biggest city in the country. Hamilton is very close to Auckland, with the possibility that it could be inundated by Auckland's suburban sprawl in decades to come.
The Waikato is known as one of the richest agricultural and pastoral areas in the world and is described as a large fertile basin
created by the Waikato River.
While agriculture is still the dominant industry, other sectors of industry are catching up and providing more diverse business opportunities in the region. Parts of the Waikato River are used for hydroelectricity for example.
Beneath the pastoral plains of the Waikato lie the Waitomo Caves. These caves are famous for a variety of caving adventures such as black water rafting, viewing glow worms, or walking among some magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. Another area of interest is the small town of Raglan, which has one of the world's great surf breaks due to its long wave rides. Raglan is a destination in surfings world circuit.
The western border of this region is the Tasman Sea, the main body of sea between New Zealand and Australia. The coast has 3 large harbours: Raglan, Aotea, and Kawhia
Harbour. Behind the coastal area lies the Hakarimata Range. To the east of this range
lies a large floodplain which is used mainly as farmland for both dairy and cattle, as well as crops. Cambridge a town in this region is famous for its many thoroughbred stables. In the north near Te Kauwhata great wines are produced.
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