Final day

On my last day, I was sad to be leaving Hamilton, I had not visited all the attractions that I had wished to. All in all, I enjoyed my time in Hamilton. Visiting attractions that were unique to Hamilton and the Waikato region, gave me an insight to the age levels, and portraying of ages within Hamilton. I came on this trip to increase my knowledge of age, and further research age identity and social capital that is gained, I personally increased my social capital after visiting these destinations.

Transportation

Within Hamilton, there are many different options to get around the city. The main way is via the free buses around the city centre, and then on the outskirts there are the buses that travel through the outer suburbs of Hamilton. Another main way to get around the city, are the many different taxi companies that are forever waiting to pick up people to take to their destinations.

Hamilton Zoo

Visiting the Hamilton Zoo was going to be one of my highlights. Fortunately the weather held out, and did not rain like the past few days. The Hamilton Zoo had an authentic experience about it, in that the majority of the animals held within the grounds of the zoo, are not native animals to New Zealand, but yet there enclosures were made to look similar as if they were in the wild. The zoo was set out for all ages, paths to follow, allowing for easy access to all the enclosures, and a section for younger ages.

Hamilton Gardens

The Hamilton Gardens is designed for all tourist age levels to participate in. The different gardens target different types of people, although as I found out most tourists go to visit them all, not just a particular type of garden. Whilst this attraction has been constructed for the benefit of the tourist, it is a different experience and a kind of an authentic experience, due to the many overseas gardens available to view. This experience is authentic as the gardens such as Chinese, Italian, Indian, etc are not common to New Zealand. The gardens are an opportunity for local, and tourists to be more culturally aware of the gardens, plants, and trees that are readily available for all to use.

Hamilton 400 and Huntly speedfest

Whilst many women do not attend car events, I regularly attend and participate within these sporting events generally dominated by males. It was only necessary for me to go and visit one of the biggest motor sporting events in New Zealand. I visited the Huntly Speedway, Best of the Best Speedfest, on the Thursday night, and then joined the experience of Hamilton 400. People from all around New Zealand come to view the V8s and view the drivers over the four days the cars were in Hamilton. This event is socially constructed and if you attend this event it is perceived you are gaining and building your social capital. The events within the Hamilton 400 weekend were also staged such as the extra entertainment, and the planning of the super 14 rugby game in Hamilton, on the Friday night, within the circuit. This extra entertainment was of benefit to the thousands of extra people gathered to view the 400. Age was shown at both Huntly Speedfest, and Hamilton 400. At Huntly, people of all ages were viewing this attraction. Whilst there was also people as young as 18 competing in these races, according to the commentary that night.

Night life in Hamilton

Whilst out partaking in the night life of Hamilton, the numbers of younger people was astonishing. Visiting Hamilton’s bars and clubs on a Saturday night really shows the range in ages that visit the many bars and clubs in and around Victoria Street. The range in ages from older teenagers through to older parents demonstrates that Age is not just a number, but it can also be youthfulness and depending on the situation, can depend on your stance as a tourist. Youth can be socially constructed as well as an age number. Age can also be social rather than just biological. Meaning although a person is of a particular age, if they act and wish to fit within a particular social group they will act that age in order to fit in.

Hamilton Museum

Hamilton museum is suited for all ages. It is educational through the different exhibits available to be viewed. I noticed the different exhibits were suited for both different ages and were informative about the Maori culture. For the younger ages, a more educational approach is taken, with exhibits shown via a hands’ on and feel approach. It enables younger people to interact with the exhibits whilst also learning about different activities etc around Hamilton. Exhibits targeting the older population appeared more informative. The museum was set in away, that encourages you to follow the paths around the museum, in a semi chronological order, unless you were like myself and started at the wrong end.