Work and play in Waikato

The lush paddocks of Waikato are the heart of the nation's dairy-farming industry. And the region is also home to the country's most diverse range of horticulture production, meaning there is work here almost all year.

It features crops like asparagus, strawberries, kiwifruit and apples, plus the Waikato is the centre of the nashi pear and blueberry industries.

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Tourist attractions in Waikato

The mighty Waikato - with New Zealand's longest river running though it at 425km - offers fantastic rural living. Place a bet at the country horseraces, take in a rugby game with the locals, soak your bones in natural hot water springs in Te Aroha among many other spots, or head out to Raglan on the west coast to catch what is said to be the longest left-hand surf break in the world.

There's top skiing and snowboarding at Whakapapa and Turoa fields on Mt Ruaphehu in the Tongariro National Park, and check out rafting and walking through the amazing glow-worm, stalactite and stalagmite filled caves at Waitomo.

See the kiwi - New Zealand's famous flightless, nocturnal national bird - up close at the Otorohanga Kiwi House.

The thriving main city of Hamilton is surrounded by many friendly towns throughout the region.

Click here for more tourist information.

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