 
Hamilton is New Zealand’s newest metropolitan city. The city’s vibrancy derives from its thriving urban hub supported by its unique blend of rich ruralism – it’s a city that takes visitors by surprise! In perfect complement to its surrounding lush green landscape and rich, fertile agricultural countryside, Hamilton’s vibrant development makes it a sophisticated, ambitious and opportunity-packed city. A premier destination for conferences and events – indeed, for any visitor. Accessing Hamilton is easy.
Hamilton International Airport is just 15 minutes’ drive from the city or Auckland Airport is just 90 minutes’ drive from Hamilton. Once you get here, there’s a vast range of facilities, experiences and features at your fingertips. Hamilton has a wide range of accommodation, several offering spectacular views of the mighty Waikato River, its life source, which runs through the heart of the city.
The city also offers a host of facilities to accommodate the needs of any event, conference or convention. Whether it be convenience, size, activities, setting or all of these – Hamilton spoils you for choice.
Hamilton Gardens is the city’s premier tourist attraction spanning 50 hectares of prime city land dedicated to the ‘story of gardens’. The garden’s collection ranges from the traditional Herb Garden to the themed Paradise Gardens collection comprising: the American Modernist Garden; Chinese Scholars Garden; English Flower Garden; Italian Renaissance Garden; Traditional Japanese Garden; and the Indian Char Bagh Garden. Each garden is a masterpiece of design and sensory pleasure offering something for everyone.
Hamilton’s south end offers a lively experience of metropolitan nightlife. Here, you will also find a unique blend of the historic with the heart of Hamilton’s vibrant restaurant and café scene that offer tastes to suit any palate.
amilton’s southern end is the city’s arts and cultural precinct featuring Waikato Museum, the hands-on interactive science and technology centre Excite and the Meteor Theatre to name but a few. Hamilton is fast gaining a reputation as an arts and culture hub with a steady stream of theatre, music and artistic events.
For any visitor – whether it be for business, pleasure or a blend of both - Hamilton is a superb destination in its own right. The city is also set against the backdrop of the Waikato region which has enormous recreational potential – from surfing on the largest left-hand break in the Southern Hemisphere at Raglan 45 minutes west, to magical limestone glowworm caves in Waitomo, to skiing at Mount Ruapehu, three hours south. Bring a fresh, sophisticated yet diverse flavour to your conference or event destination – experience Hamilton.
For details on meetings and events in Hamilton contact Lyn O’Sullivan at the Hamilton Convention Bureau on PH +64 7 838 6666 or email lyn.osullivan@hcc.govt.nz.
They offer websites and conference planner manuals, destination marketing collateral, and in some cases funding options. But most importantly they offer free, yet invaluable local information on why you should choose their destination and how to deliver an exceptional event in their region.
With an extensive local knowledge of venues, the regional convention bureau assists in researching the most appropriate conference space and accommodation to suit your needs. Not all accommodation is the customary hotel room, and bureaux have listings from the local bed and breakfast and backpackers, to luxury lodges and delightful corporate retreats. From kilt hire to Maori cultural performances, limousines to mountain bikes … locally based operators invariably offer the key to a successful event and their contact details can be sourced easily through the convention bureau. And there is nothing like the local knowledge to help you gain insight into restaurant and bar scenes – appropriate to your delegate’s dynamics of course! A conference can go from average to outstanding depending on the dinner arrangements for your group. Many regions have wonderful and unique dining venues on offer, and these various options will be known and the dynamics of size, catering, staging, audio-visual, theming, entertainment … is all available through the regional convention bureau. Convention bureaux throughout New Zealand are not-for-profit entities.
They operate as a division of a regional tourism organisation and their services are free of charge. For information on New Zealand convention bureaux, refer to www.nzbureau.com where you will link through to the informative regional websites. Be sure to telephone the convention bureau located in the region you choose to conference at – they are as passionate about the success of your event as you are!
 Or why not try one of the following ideas:
Helicopter out to Flat Rock on Lake Taupo where your charter boat awaits. Enjoy the thrill of trout fishing from the comfort of this fully licensed vessel followed by a gourmet BBQ on board which, with a bit of luck, will include a taste of your own catch! Check out www.chrisjolly.co.nz & www.helinz.com
Head out to the Taupo Motorsport Park, buckle up and test your skills in a fully prepared race car on a real racetrack driving a replica Formula One car, or be a passenger in a V8 Supercar or a Porsche for a hot lap! Learn how to drive with Formula Challenge Experience Group and hold your own Grand Prix. Check out www.fcr.co.nz
The ultimate thrill combo - combine a scenic flight with a spin on a jet boat either up to the base of Huka Falls, over the famous Fuljames Rapids, or for a more gentle trip up the Waikato River. End the day with a leap of faith with a tandem skydive master! Check out www.hukajet.com or www.rapidsjet.com or www.nzriverjet.co.nz
Or how about a taste of art, wine and culture…with a lot of pampering at the end of the day! Visit Lake Taupo’s galleries, lunch at Larté, a café set up in a mosaic and sculpture garden, have a hot relaxing soak in the natural thermal pools and be pampered with a soothing massage. End the day with a wine and cheese tasting at a famous local wine cellar. Check out www.taupohotsprings.com & www.sceniccellars.co.nz
Where to stay
Three different luxurious properties in the Lake Taupo region include:
Huka Lodge is an exclusive property that has been consistently chosen as one of the world’s top retreats. With just 20 guest suites and The Owners Cottage offering four superbly appointed rooms, Huka Lodge is tucked along the banks of the Waikato River, upstream from the famous Huka Falls. Huka Lodge is set on seven hectares, and guarantees peace and quiet, luxurious hospitality and excellent cuisine. Visit www.hukalodge.com.
Lake Taupo Lodge is an award winning lodge set within magnificent landscaped gardens, overlooking beautiful Lake Taupo and the mountains beyond. Seven guest suites are stunning examples of world-class accommodation and with two five-star chefs at your service, the cuisine focuses on the use of fish and game and the finest local and seasonal produce. Visit www.laketaupolodge.co.nz.
Poronui Ranch is a luxury lodge surrounded by 16,000 acres of pristine countryside with private trout fishing waters and hunting blocks, horse riding treks, mountain biking and heli hiking tracks. It is ideal for that small incentive, with seven ‘cabins’ and then the stunning four suites at Blake House - one of the world’s most exclusive hideaways. Visit www.poronuiranch.co.nz.
For details on Lake Taupo contact Di Christie at the Lake Taupo Convention Bureau on PH +64 7 3760402 or email dchristie@laketauponz.com.
<< Top
|