importance of the dairy industry to the region. Waikato hosts the Chiefs Super Rugby team and Waikato Mitre 10 Cup rugby team at Waikato Stadium and the Northern Districts Knights in domestic cricket at Seddon Park, both in Hamilton. Notable people Arts The Datsuns — rock band Tim and Neil Finn — songwriters and musicians (Split Enz, Crowded House) Rob Hamill — champion rower and author. Rangimarie Hetet — of Oparure Marae. Died aged 103 years; regarded as living treasure of Māori handcrafts, with honorary degrees. Kimbra — notable New Zealand singer-songwriter/guitarist Dame Malvina Major — acclaimed international singer Frank Sargeson — celebrated NZ writer. Maurice Shadbolt — celebrated New Zealand writer Jools and Lynda Topp — comedy duo Māoridom Huiatahi Barrett — tribal leader Te Puea Herangi — Māori princess and leader Tuheitia Paki — Māori King 2006–present Eva Rickard — of Tainui descent; leader and defender of Māori land rights Te Atairangikaahu — Māori Queen 1966-2006 Te Rauparaha — Māori chieftain and warrior Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipipi Te Waharoa — Māori King kingmaker Military Roy Calvert — WWII pilot Politics Jacinda Ardern — former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jim Bolger — former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark — former Prime Minister of New Zealand Hilda Ross — humanitarian, first woman elected to the Hamilton Borough Council, MP Te Hapimana Tauke — tribal leader, mission teacher and historian Dame Catherine Tizard (née Mclean) — former Mayor of Auckland and first woman Governor-General of New Zealand Sports Don Clarke — rugby international Bruce McLaren — motor racing driver and team founder Colin Meads — rugby international Anjali Mulari — New Zealand ice and inline hockey player Tawera Nikau — rugby league footballer and sports broadcaster Simon Poelman — New Zealand decathlete Peter Snell, gold medal-winning distance runner at the 1960 Summer Olympics and the 1964 Olympics Mark Todd — Olympic equestrian, "Horseman of the Century" Daniel Vettori — former New Zealand cricket captain Morgan Harper NRL player References External links Waikato Regional Council Hamilton & Waikato Tourism Te Ara Waikato region