Hamilton (pop. 160,911) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand. The city is built on both sides of the Waikato River. Five road bridges and a rail bridge cross the river.
The center of the rich Waikato farming district, Hamilton is the most important inland distributing point for primary products in New Zealand. In 1970, the largest railroad marshaling yard in New Zealand, a yard where freight cars are sorted, began operating at Te Rapa. The yard covers 79 acres (32 hectares). Lake Rotorua provides facilities for yachts, and the Waikato River is used for water sports. Agricultural shows are held at Claudelands.
Victoria Street is the city’s main business center. Hamilton has two cathedrals, a public library, theaters, an art museum and several private art galleries, and the large Waikato Hospital. The University of Waikato and Hamilton Teachers’ College share a 124-acre (50-hectare) campus in the city. Waikato Technical Institute is in the central city.
Hamilton was named in honor of John Hamilton, a British naval officer. He was among those killed in a battle against Māori at Gate Pā, near Tauranga.
