Photo / Michelle LangstoneMichelle Langstone travels through Waikato from a land before time to New Zealand's city of the futureThe mist has settled in the trees atop Maungatautari as we arrive late morning. Maungatautari's Sanctuary Mountain is a mainland "island" nature reserve, and the largest fenced project for conservation in New Zealand, nestled in the Waikato. Photo / Michelle LangstoneYou can take guided tours both day and night, and there are options to get up close with kiwi, as well as glow worms. Photo / Michelle LangstoneThe Novotel Tainui sits right at the edge of the Waikato River in the heart of the city. Photo / Michelle LangstoneKirikiriroa is a far better name than Hamilton, and it suits the city's newly minted title of New Zealand's prettiest city, an accolade it shares with Whanganui.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 07, 2020 22:42 UTC