New Zealand Tour Host Notes
Driving Times
Auckland to Pukekohe 40 min (50km)
Auckland to Huntly 1 hour 10 min (95km)
Huntly to Matamata 1 hour 5 min (75km)
Matamata to Cambridge 31 min (39km)
Hamilton to Cambridge 22 min (23km)
Hamilton to Huntly 28 min (32km)
Huntly to Karaka 48 min (65km)
Karaka to Auckland Airport 26 min (25km)
New Zealand
Population: 5.12m (compared to Sydney population of 5.3m)
Auckland
The Māori-language name for Auckland is Tāmaki Makaurau, meaning "Tāmaki desired by many", in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography.
Population: 1.65m
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island (/waɪˈhɛkiː/; Māori: [ˈwaihɛkɛ]) is the most populated and second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. Its ferry terminal in Matiatia Bay at the western end is 21.5 km (13.4 mi) from the central-city terminal in Auckland.
Waiheke is the second-largest island in the gulf, after Great Barrier Island, and is the most populated island in the gulf, with 9,250 permanent residents;[1] another estimated 3,400 have second or holiday homes on the island.[2] It is New Zealand's most densely populated island,[citation needed] with nearly 100 people/km², and the third most populated after the North and South Islands. It is the most accessible island in the gulf, with regular passenger and car-ferry services, a helicopter operator based on the island, and other air links.[3]
In November 2015, Waiheke Island received international attention when it was rated the fifth-best destination in the world to visit in 2016 by Lonely Planet,[4] and also voted the fourth best island in the world in Condé Nast Traveler's 30 Best Islands in the World list.[5]
The island is off the coast of the North Island. It is 19.3 km (12.0 mi) in length from west to east, varies in width from 0.64 to 9.65 km (0.40 to 6.00 mi), and has a surface area of 92 km2 (36 sq mi). The coastline is 133.5 km (83.0 mi), including 40 km (25 mi) of beaches. The port of Matiatia at the western end is 17.7 km (11.0 mi) from Auckland and the eastern end is 21.4 km (13.3 mi) from Coromandel.[3] The much smaller Tarahiki Island lies 3 km (1.9 mi) to the east.
Cambridge
Population: 20,000
Cambridge (Māori: Kemureti) is a town in the Waipa District of the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Situated 24 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River, Cambridge is known as "The Town of Trees & Champions". The town has a population of 20,600,[1] making it the largest town in the Waipa District, and third largest urban area in the Waikato (after Hamilton and Taupo).
Cambridge was a finalist in the 2017 New Zealand's Most Beautiful Large Town awards, run by Keep New Zealand Beautiful.[2]
The national Home of Cycling, the Avantidrome, was opened by Prince William and Princess Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on 12 April 2014.[13
Lake Karapiro, recognised as one of the premium rowing lakes in the world, is close by, producing several world rowing champions, notably Rob Waddell and the Evers-Swindell twins, Georgina and Caroline, Mahé Drysdale and James Dallinger. The 2010 World Rowing Championships were held at Lake Karapiro.
Notable People Born In Hamilton
Sir Mark Todd, equestrian double Olympic gold medallist
Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM, CBE, Horse breeder
Hamilton
Population: 169,000
Hamilton (Māori: Kirikiriroa) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat and most populous city of the Waikato region, with a territorial population of 169,300,[3] the country's fourth most-populous city. Encompassing a land area of about 110 km2 (42 sq mi)[4] on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton is part of the wider Hamilton Urban Area, which also encompasses the nearby towns of Ngaruawahia, Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
The area now covered by the city was originally the site of a handful of Māori villages, including Kirikiriroa, from which the city takes its Māori name. By the time English settlers arrived, most of these villages, which sat beside the Waikato River, were abandoned. The new English settlement was renamed Hamilton after Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton, the commander of HMS Esk, who was killed in the Battle of Gate Pā, Tauranga.[5]
Initially an agricultural service centre, Hamilton now has a diverse economy and is the third fastest growing urban area in New Zealand, behind Pukekohe and Auckland.[6] Hamilton Gardens is the region's most popular tourist attraction. Education and research and development play an important part in Hamilton's economy, as the city is home to approximately 40,000 tertiary students and 1,000 PhD-qualified scientists.[7]
Notable People Born in Hamilton
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, born in Hamilton.
Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, born in Hamilton.
Matamata
Population: 7,900
Matamata [ˈmataˌmata] is a town in the Waikato Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located near the base of the Kaimai Ranges, and is a thriving farming area known for Thoroughbred horse breeding and training pursuits. It is part of the Matamata-Piako District, which takes in the surrounding rural areas as well as Morrinsville and Te Aroha. State Highway 27 and the Kinleith Branch railway run through the town. The town has a population of 7,920 as of June 2018.[1]
A nearby farm was the location for the Hobbiton Movie Set in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings. The New Zealand government decided to leave the Hobbit holes built on location as tourist attractions, since they were designed to blend seamlessly into the environment. During the interim period filming The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey they had no furniture or props, but could be entered with vistas of the farm viewed from inside them.[2] A "Welcome to Hobbiton" sign has been placed on the main road. In 2011 parts of Hobbiton began to close in preparation for the three new movies based on the first Tolkien novel, The Hobbit.
Notable People Born in Matamata
Shane Dye
Lance O'Sullivan
Hon Mike Rann CNZM (former premier of South Australia)
Racecourses
Around 56 thoroughbred racetracks in New Zealand (Australia around 400)
20 group 1 races run in New Zealand (minimum value $400k) (Australia 74)
Total of 142 black type races run in New Zealand each year (Australia 605)
Around 51 races in Australia each year worth $1m+
Around 4,000 thoroughbred mares in New Zealand (Australia 20,400)
Auckland to Pukekohe 40 min (50km)
Auckland to Huntly 1 hour 10 min (95km)
Huntly to Matamata 1 hour 5 min (75km)
Matamata to Cambridge 31 min (39km)
Hamilton to Cambridge 22 min (23km)
Hamilton to Huntly 28 min (32km)
Huntly to Karaka 48 min (65km)
Karaka to Auckland Airport 26 min (25km)
New Zealand
Population: 5.12m (compared to Sydney population of 5.3m)
Auckland
The Māori-language name for Auckland is Tāmaki Makaurau, meaning "Tāmaki desired by many", in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography.
Population: 1.65m
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island (/waɪˈhɛkiː/; Māori: [ˈwaihɛkɛ]) is the most populated and second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. Its ferry terminal in Matiatia Bay at the western end is 21.5 km (13.4 mi) from the central-city terminal in Auckland.
Waiheke is the second-largest island in the gulf, after Great Barrier Island, and is the most populated island in the gulf, with 9,250 permanent residents;[1] another estimated 3,400 have second or holiday homes on the island.[2] It is New Zealand's most densely populated island,[citation needed] with nearly 100 people/km², and the third most populated after the North and South Islands. It is the most accessible island in the gulf, with regular passenger and car-ferry services, a helicopter operator based on the island, and other air links.[3]
In November 2015, Waiheke Island received international attention when it was rated the fifth-best destination in the world to visit in 2016 by Lonely Planet,[4] and also voted the fourth best island in the world in Condé Nast Traveler's 30 Best Islands in the World list.[5]
The island is off the coast of the North Island. It is 19.3 km (12.0 mi) in length from west to east, varies in width from 0.64 to 9.65 km (0.40 to 6.00 mi), and has a surface area of 92 km2 (36 sq mi). The coastline is 133.5 km (83.0 mi), including 40 km (25 mi) of beaches. The port of Matiatia at the western end is 17.7 km (11.0 mi) from Auckland and the eastern end is 21.4 km (13.3 mi) from Coromandel.[3] The much smaller Tarahiki Island lies 3 km (1.9 mi) to the east.
Cambridge
Population: 20,000
Cambridge (Māori: Kemureti) is a town in the Waipa District of the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Situated 24 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River, Cambridge is known as "The Town of Trees & Champions". The town has a population of 20,600,[1] making it the largest town in the Waipa District, and third largest urban area in the Waikato (after Hamilton and Taupo).
Cambridge was a finalist in the 2017 New Zealand's Most Beautiful Large Town awards, run by Keep New Zealand Beautiful.[2]
The national Home of Cycling, the Avantidrome, was opened by Prince William and Princess Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on 12 April 2014.[13
Lake Karapiro, recognised as one of the premium rowing lakes in the world, is close by, producing several world rowing champions, notably Rob Waddell and the Evers-Swindell twins, Georgina and Caroline, Mahé Drysdale and James Dallinger. The 2010 World Rowing Championships were held at Lake Karapiro.
Notable People Born In Hamilton
Sir Mark Todd, equestrian double Olympic gold medallist
Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM, CBE, Horse breeder
Hamilton
Population: 169,000
Hamilton (Māori: Kirikiriroa) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the seat and most populous city of the Waikato region, with a territorial population of 169,300,[3] the country's fourth most-populous city. Encompassing a land area of about 110 km2 (42 sq mi)[4] on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton is part of the wider Hamilton Urban Area, which also encompasses the nearby towns of Ngaruawahia, Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
The area now covered by the city was originally the site of a handful of Māori villages, including Kirikiriroa, from which the city takes its Māori name. By the time English settlers arrived, most of these villages, which sat beside the Waikato River, were abandoned. The new English settlement was renamed Hamilton after Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton, the commander of HMS Esk, who was killed in the Battle of Gate Pā, Tauranga.[5]
Initially an agricultural service centre, Hamilton now has a diverse economy and is the third fastest growing urban area in New Zealand, behind Pukekohe and Auckland.[6] Hamilton Gardens is the region's most popular tourist attraction. Education and research and development play an important part in Hamilton's economy, as the city is home to approximately 40,000 tertiary students and 1,000 PhD-qualified scientists.[7]
Notable People Born in Hamilton
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, born in Hamilton.
Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, born in Hamilton.
Matamata
Population: 7,900
Matamata [ˈmataˌmata] is a town in the Waikato Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located near the base of the Kaimai Ranges, and is a thriving farming area known for Thoroughbred horse breeding and training pursuits. It is part of the Matamata-Piako District, which takes in the surrounding rural areas as well as Morrinsville and Te Aroha. State Highway 27 and the Kinleith Branch railway run through the town. The town has a population of 7,920 as of June 2018.[1]
A nearby farm was the location for the Hobbiton Movie Set in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings. The New Zealand government decided to leave the Hobbit holes built on location as tourist attractions, since they were designed to blend seamlessly into the environment. During the interim period filming The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey they had no furniture or props, but could be entered with vistas of the farm viewed from inside them.[2] A "Welcome to Hobbiton" sign has been placed on the main road. In 2011 parts of Hobbiton began to close in preparation for the three new movies based on the first Tolkien novel, The Hobbit.
Notable People Born in Matamata
Shane Dye
Lance O'Sullivan
Hon Mike Rann CNZM (former premier of South Australia)
Racecourses
Around 56 thoroughbred racetracks in New Zealand (Australia around 400)
20 group 1 races run in New Zealand (minimum value $400k) (Australia 74)
Total of 142 black type races run in New Zealand each year (Australia 605)
Around 51 races in Australia each year worth $1m+
Around 4,000 thoroughbred mares in New Zealand (Australia 20,400)
