Waikato

Conference and business event attendees are spoilt for choice when coming to the Waikato. Not only are conference facilities top-rate, but the variety of experiences and activities on offer for team building, and pre and post conference opportunities, are phenomenal. From legendary surfing beaches, underground wonders, Middle-earth movie magic, and a thriving metropolitan city, the Waikato region boasts diversity and endless activity options.

The metropolis of Hamilton city is where sophistication meets friendly kiwi lifestyle. World-class events and visitor activities on offer are complemented by a rich cultural mix, vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, extensive shopping options and leading art galleries.

The region's diverse natural landscape offers sensational opportunities with ancient mountains, stretching plains, rugged black sand beaches, and subterranean cave systems. The Waikato is known for its rolling green hills, native forests, and mighty river (the Waikato River), all of which combine to make the region an excellent walking, hiking, cycling and water-sport destination.

If a good taste of New Zealand’s world-famous adventure is on the agenda, then the Waikato will thrill. The Waitomo Caves offer an underground playground of black water rafting, abseiling and cave exploration under glowworm studded ‘skies’. Above ground, the mighty Waikato River winds its way through the region, o£ering great kayaking, cruising, trout fishing and jet boating – particularly on the
picturesque hydro lakes, such as Lake Karāpiro.

Some of the free services the Waikato Convention Bureau offer:
- Impartial advice and quotes for venues, accommodation, transport, activities and support services to best suit your specific business event requirements
- Facilitation of hosted site inspections and familiarisations so you can experience first-hand what the Waikato has to offer
- Production of professional bid documents when bidding to host international and national business events, including destination information and supporting letters
- Information and assistance in the development of partner and activity programmes, pre-or-post conference tours, or incentive activities
- Suggestions for event opportunities that contribute positively to the region, its people and place across the four well-beings of social, cultural, economic and environmental.
- Supply of marketing material such as regional content, brochures, imagery and videos
- Regional and product updates

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Waikato venues and accommodation are as diverse as the landscape. From inner-city chic to rural charm and relaxation, experience business events with time to breathe.

Woven into the history of Kirikiriroa Hamilton, our landmark venue in the heart of the city, Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre, is a very special gathering place for visitors and locals alike. Set on 34 hectares of parkland known as Te Papanui, the conference centre is capable of hosting 1,200 or more delegates and offers 11 breakout spaces, on-site audio visual, delegate parking and award-winning catering. Standing alongside the conference centre is a further 10,000sqm of integrated indoor/outdoor exhibition space.

Meetings in the Waikato give you the chance to connect with each other and the land. The Waikato warmly welcomes all visitors, be that at the superb venues of Claudelands Conference & Exhibition Centre, the award winning Hamilton Gardens, or at the home of High Performance Sport New Zealand.

The accessibility and variety the Waikato region offer provide endless options for any business event. Meet overlooking New Zealand’s longest river - the mighty Waikato - or surrounded by rolling green hills and protected native forest. Delegates are invited to explore underground in Waitomo’s awe-inspiring wonderland, head to NZ’s only organic tea plantation or enjoy a feast fit for a Hobbit at Hobbiton™ Movie Set. 

Known as the beating heart of New Zealand, this central region is one of the world's richest agricultural and pastoral areas. It's a region that pulsates on the business, academic, science, technology, sporting, produce and recreation front. World changers, local innovators, inspiring champions, and general salt of the earth people are all proud to call the Waikato home.

Waikato is a place of powerful possibilities, a thriving economic area, and a place rich in breath taking natural wonders.

The central North Island location provides easy access from other North Island locations by land and further afield by air as Hamilton boasts a newly refurbished domestically serviced airport. The city is also within 90 minutes drive south of Auckland International Airport.

The region covers most of the central North Island in Aotearoa. It is the country's fourth largest region and home to approximately 10 percent of the population, with about 496,700 people calling the Waikato home.

Indulge and inspire, from bespoke wild coastal cliff top experiences to prized inner-city culture and rural versatility, the Waikato has you covered.

Start the morning with mindfulness at sunrise overlooking the longest left hand surf break in the world and surrounded by wide open spaces, give back to nature with a bespoke wildlife encounter on New Zealand’s largest inland ecological island sanctuary and share in our community with a foraging lunch experience. Learn how it all started with a camellia tree and experience an art of tea ceremony at NZ’s only tea plantation, then prepare to be amazed with an interactive five-course degustation set amongst a 500 acre heritage farm rural setting.

Travel by helicopter for a second breakfast and private tour experience at Hobbiton ™ Movie Set, then head to NZ’s home of cycling and meet an NZ Olympic medallist before heading into a cave river system to go black water rafting. Finish your action-packed day with an intimate meal and an exclusive opera performance deep underground in Waitomo.

The Waikato is a great place to meet all year round however it truly shines in the Autumn and Spring. Coming together and holding your event during these shoulder months also helps give back and support the local people, culture, and cuisine.

Winter is another great time to hold an event in Waikato, around the Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event Fieldays®. The region is one of the richest agricultural areas in New Zealand, and in the world. It also has a proud reputation as a centre for innovation and creativity across a wide range of industry and business sectors.

Waikato's climate is temperate with summer temperatures generally in the early to mid-20s with some days reaching 30 degrees Celsius. Winter temperatures average between five and 14 degrees Celsius.

Regardless of the time of year you meet in Hamilton and the wider Waikato region, you will always be met with a welcoming smile, a can do attitude and proven and reliable purpose built venues and teams.
 

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