Location

The Waikato region is situated on New Zealand’s North Island. It is bounded on the North by The Bombay Hills, the west by the Tasman Sea, the east by the Kaimai Ranges and the south by the hills and forests of Taupo.

The main urban areas are the city of Hamilton and the towns of Taupo, Tokoroa, Raglan, Morrinsville, Huntley, Cambridge and Te Awamutu. New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, flows through the middle of the region.

Weather

Due to it’s position the Waikato is usually warm with frequent fogs due to the flat land on either side of the Waikato river. Frosts are fairly infrequent although some parts of the region are more susceptible than others. Winter temperatures can range from a low of -5 degress to a max around 15 degrees. Summer temperatures can hit highs around 30 degrees at times.

Suitable Species

Kahikatea
Kauri
Pine
Kowhai
Pohutakawa (requires some frost protection)
Totara
Cedar
Lonicera Nitida / Pileata
Chamaecyparis
Larch (only in colder parts)
Corokia
Coprosma
Pittosporum – certain varieties