Lifestyle and Leisure
Hamilton: An inside view
Hamilton, on the North Island, is New Zealand’s largest inland city, and the fourth biggest urban area
Currently popular with migrants, the area experienced one of the largest population increases of 2005. The city is set on the banks of the Waikato River, and has a population of around 170,000 people. It claims to offers the energy of a thriving urban centre without the stress of a big city.
Hamilton International Airport is 15 minutes drive from the city, so the area is a natural stopping point for incoming tourists.
As well as having the largest amount of restaurants and cafés per capita than anywhere else in New Zealand, there are over 600 events in the city, from musical concerts to martial arts exhibitions. Most Hamiltonians enjoy the trout fishing, sailing, wind surfing and water skiing on the region's rivers and lakes. A 20 minute drive from the city, at Lake Karapiro, world-class rowing facilities are also available.
The city has 31 primary schools, ten secondary schools (six state and four private) and two major Tertiary institutions: the University of Waikato and the Waikato Institute of
Technology. The city experiences a wide weather range because of its position. Summer months can be hot and humid, while winter can be chilly, much like in the UK.
Hamilton industry specialises in scientific and agricultural research, as well as having strong manufacturing links in New Zealand. The city is recognised as a world leader in life science research, production and development, with a quarter of all the industry based there. The cluster industries, promoted by the NZIS to attract emigrant workers, are dairy and boat building, both of which are linked to the life sciences and physical sciences technology.
Property prices in Hamilton are difficult to generalise, there can be huge variations. However, all over Hamilton there has been a reported rise in house prices – around 26.9 per cent, well above the national climb of roughly 16 per cent. This pushes the average sale price up to NZ$300,000 (£118,000). Hamilton's south western suburbs showed the largest growth, but also the lowest average sale price NZ$273,000 (£106,500).
Considering the new adult minimum wage in New Zealand is NZ$10.25 (£4) an hour, renting in the area can also be pricey, between NZ$1,200 (£470) and NZ$1,300 (£500) per month. Cost of living is around the same as the national average.
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