In the west, the region is bounded by the Tasman Sea. The coastal region is largely rough hill country, known locally as the Hakarimata Range, though it is more gently undulating in the north, closer to the mouth of the Waikato River. The coast is punctured by three large natural harbours: Raglan Harbour, Aotea Harbour, and Kawhia Harbour. The area around Raglan is noted for its volcanic black sand beaches, and also for its fine Surfing conditions.
To the east of the coastal hills lies the broad Floodplain of the Waikato River. The region has a wet temperate climate, and the land is largely rich farmland, although it also contains undrained Peat Swamp. It is in the broad Waikato Plains that most of the region's population resides, and the land is intensively farmed with both livestock (mainly Dairy cattle) and crops (such as Maize). The area around Cambridge has many thoroughbred stables.
The north of the region around Te Kauwhata produces some of New Zealand's best wines. Several shallow lakes lie in this area, the largest of which is Lake Waikare.
To the east, the land rises towards the forested slopes of the Kaimai and Mamaku Ranges. The upper reaches of the Waikato River are used for Hydroelectricity, and several large artificial lakes are found in the region's southeast.
The Waikato has a prominent history, particularly regarding relationships between Maori and European in early colonial New Zealand. During the Land Wars of the 1860s, the Waikato was the scene of major bloodshed in what is referred to as the Invasion of the Waikato. Largely in retaliation for Waikato Maori helping Taranaki Maori protect their land in the earlier Taranaki War, the colonial government - with the help of troops brought from Britain - pushed south from the main settlement of Auckland, fighting several defensive lines organised by the combined Iwi of the King Movement. During 1863 and 1864 fighting occurred at Meremere, Ngaruawahia, Rangiaowhia (southwest of Cambridge) and at Orakau (near Te Awamutu). Eventually the King Movement's forces pulled back to positions in the area to the south of the Waikato, still known as the King Country. The Orakau siege was immortalised in one of New Zealand's first motion pictures as Rewi's Last Stand in 1925.
The National Marae, Turangawaewae, is at Ngaruawahia. It is the seat of the Maori Queen, Te Atairangi Kaahu.
The region also includes the smaller towns of Huntly, Morrinsville, Ngaruawahia, Otorohanga, Putaruru, Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Te Kuiti, and Tirau.
Other towns within the Waikato government region, but outside the normally accepted Waikato area, include Waiuku, south of Auckland; Paeroa, Te Aroha, Thames, Whangamata, and Whitianga around the Thames Valley and Coromandel Peninsula; and the city of Taupo (population 21,000) and town of Turangi in the southeast.
The people of the Waikato occasionally use the nickname Mooloo to apply to themselves or to their province, particularly in relation to sporting endeavours. The word was likely first applied to the Waikato provincial rugby team. Its origin is related to the mascot of a pantomime-like milking cow used in parades, public events and sports matches - partucularly rugby, reflecting the importance of the diary industry to the region.
| Regions of New Zealand |
|---|
| North Island: Northland | Auckland | Waikato | Bay of Plenty | Gisborne* | Hawke's Bay | Taranaki | Manawatu-Wanganui | Wellington |
| South Island: Tasman* | Marlborough* | Nelson* | West Coast | Canterbury | Otago | Southland |
| *unitary authorities |