Hamilton is the regional capital for the Waikato Province. It has a population of some 110,000 and is strategically located within an area of the central North Island of New Zealand. About one third of New Zealand's population of some 4 million live within 150km radius of Hamilton. 120km to the north west is Auckland, 100km east is Tauranga and 100km south east, Rotorua.

"The Waikato" is well known for it's dairy and forestry industry, plays a major part in New Zealand's hydro and thermal power generation, as well as increasingly for it's tourism and sporting venues.

The region is named after the country's longest river, The Waikato River, which flows from Mount Ruapehu, via Lake Taupo and through the region to Port Waikato on the west coast and into the Tasman Sea.

Despite being the largest inland city in New Zealand, furtherest from any coast, we still have a strong tie to water and water sports. With the many rivers in the area, many hydro lakes along the Waikato River, and Raglan's west coast beaches and harbour, all within 40 minutes drive of the city, water plays an important part of the city's life.