Waikato (Waikato Region in English) is a region of New Zealand located in the north of the North Island. The exact borders of the region depend on the use of the name, but in all cases it includes the neighborhoods of the city of Hamilton and extends to the banks of the Waikato River. The Waikato region is a local government on the west coast of northern North Island. It runs from Lake Taupo and the King Country in the south to the Coromandel Peninsula and the border with the region north of Auckland.

Waikato District includes only the area administered by the Waikato District Council, ie, the towns of Ngaruawahia, Huntly and Raglan. To the west the region is bordered by the Tasman Sea. The coast is rather difficult, full of mountains forming part of the chain Hakarimata, but there are hills to the north near the mouth of the Waikato. The coast is échancrée by three large bays: Raglan, Aotea and Kawhia. The area around Raglan is famous for its beaches of black volcanic sand, the beaches of the Bay and Manu Ruapeke are frequented by surfers.