Home » Western Waikato
Official club name: The Friendship Force of Western Waikato
Closest major airport: Auckland International Airport approximately 110 km north (70 miles).
Closest regional airport: Hamilton, 15 km (New Zealand flights and Sydney and Brisbane in Australia).
Cost of transportation between the airport and our city: From Auckland International Airport $NZ45 per person (based on 20 persons).
Maximum number of Ambassadors our club can host: 20
The club is based in the city of Hamilton (population 160,000). Western Waikato is a well established club (1990) with around 40 members from town and country. We have a very active club that enjoys a wide variety of social activities, both on our own and also in conjunction with other clubs.
The Waikato region is one of New Zealand's richest pastoral farming areas. Dairying is the main activity, but horse breeding, wine growing and horticulture are all well represented. Hamilton is also the educational and research centre of the Waikato, with a university, a polytechnic and three agricultural research stations. Hamilton is a beautiful city on the banks of the Waikato River, with many parks and gardens, a zoo, and a museum. Nearby Ngaruawahia is the home of the Maori King and hosts an annual regatta in March. In April, we have a spectacular Hot Air Balloon Festival with many balloons from overseas. We are very centrally placed in Hamilton, within 2 hours drive of Rotorua, Taupo, Auckland, Tauranga and the Coromandel Peninsula and the Waitomo Caves.
We communicate with our guests before their arrival and do our best to organize a programme of interest to them. A major bus trip is always organized and some times more than one. The opportunity to visit Rotorua is there if the group has not previously visited. We also check with other clubs that the Inward Exchange is visiting, so that we don't both do the same things. We believe in fun and variety and a few surprises. Exchanges are our main reason for being and we truly enjoy hosting our guests from around the world.
For further information: Contact
Date updated 9 April 2012