Hamilton City Council

West General Ward
The Hamilton City Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 14 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the city). Six councillors will be elected from the West ward. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Hamilton City Council election.

Jobs and economy

Many councils help support local business and economic development. Some promote tourism in their area, or provide business support services and grants.

Jobs and economy

Many councils help support local business and economic development. Some promote tourism in their area, or provide business support services and grants.

  • Introduce a one-on-one mentor programme program in schools that helps year 12 students wisely navigate their options of study and work.

    Reintroduce a program where local businesses can offer work experience for school students to prepare them for the workforce.

    Increase public engagement and involve young people in decisions about city infrastructure that affects their activities.

  • Work with the business community in our city to make it enjoyable and clean. Insisting that business premises be kept neat and clean.

    Protect our heritage buildings, like the Founders Theatre. Engage with landlords to conserve the beauty of our city. The city with a heart.

    Ensure that council-owned properties are maintained at an acceptable level. Ensure that youth have ample places where they can socialise.

  • Fight the big-tech ambitions of the Economic Development Chairman with its narrow focus on future generations; refocusing on retail.

  • Establish a partnership with the central business association and private contractors to continue to open up our CBD to the Waikato River.

    Work with the Ruakura Superhub to provide critical infrastructure to unlock the full economic benefits of the hub.

    Support better utilisation of council's facilities (i.e. FMG stadium) for large events to support our hospitality and tourism industries.

  • Work with the private sector to bring more events to the city like the World Rugby 7's. Use FMG Stadium and Claudelands Oval more often.

    Continue to support two hours free parking in the CBD.

    Advocate for more mobility car parks around the city.

  • Support the CBD by continuing work on the redevelopment of our Ferrybank Park site and South End River Precinct.

    Plan for suburban business centres to have area plans developed to ensure equity of investment across the city.

    Continue the support to complete the Hamilton Zoo Masterplan and Hamilton Gardens.

  • Support the city's lowest-paid workers, address equal pay and address pay gaps. I support Fair Pay Agreements and paying the Living Wage.

    Protect and create jobs in Hamilton. Support new environmentally friendly initiatives.

    Investigate ways to involve youth participation such as through an apprenticeship scheme.

  • Improve the public realm in the central city and local shopping areas, such as Frankton and Hamilton East.

    Provide the infrastructure and commercial/industrial land needed to support business growth and employment.

    Attract locals and visitors to the central city through supporting local arts, culture and music.

  • Continue with an Economic Development committee of council. It's working - Hamilton GDP has increased 4.3% despite Covid-19. NZ average was was 3.6%.

    Continue to attract companies that pay well and best fit our growth strategy in key sectors of tech, logistics, manufacturing and agri-tech.

    Deploy the $50 Million municipal endowment fund as an economic enabler through public/private projects such as another hotel.

  • Help Waikato University research responsible chemical timber treatment and design prefab homes with local materials.

    Help local manufacturers build prefab homes with local materials. Using 'Time Bank', youth build skills, roads and get a home in return.

    Train artists, use talent to draw/paint/carve portrait of visitors on backdrop of Hamilton Gardens, provide online ads and bookings.

  • Support meaningful job creation in industries that contribute to a sustainable regional economy, including through procurement.

    Prioritise circular-economies practices and scale-up existing community initiatives.

    Elevate our arts and events sectors as an opportunity for growing tourism and regional partnerships.

  • Support local business through pedestrianisation of key streets.

  • Introduce a one-on-one mentor programme program in schools that helps year 12 students wisely navigate their options of study and work.

    Reintroduce a program where local businesses can offer work experience for school students to prepare them for the workforce.

    Increase public engagement and involve young people in decisions about city infrastructure that affects their activities.

  • Work with the business community in our city to make it enjoyable and clean. Insisting that business premises be kept neat and clean.

    Protect our heritage buildings, like the Founders Theatre. Engage with landlords to conserve the beauty of our city. The city with a heart.

    Ensure that council-owned properties are maintained at an acceptable level. Ensure that youth have ample places where they can socialise.

  • Fight the big-tech ambitions of the Economic Development Chairman with its narrow focus on future generations; refocusing on retail.

  • Establish a partnership with the central business association and private contractors to continue to open up our CBD to the Waikato River.

    Work with the Ruakura Superhub to provide critical infrastructure to unlock the full economic benefits of the hub.

    Support better utilisation of council's facilities (i.e. FMG stadium) for large events to support our hospitality and tourism industries.

  • Work with the private sector to bring more events to the city like the World Rugby 7's. Use FMG Stadium and Claudelands Oval more often.

    Continue to support two hours free parking in the CBD.

    Advocate for more mobility car parks around the city.

  • Support the CBD by continuing work on the redevelopment of our Ferrybank Park site and South End River Precinct.

    Plan for suburban business centres to have area plans developed to ensure equity of investment across the city.

    Continue the support to complete the Hamilton Zoo Masterplan and Hamilton Gardens.

  • Support the city's lowest-paid workers, address equal pay and address pay gaps. I support Fair Pay Agreements and paying the Living Wage.

    Protect and create jobs in Hamilton. Support new environmentally friendly initiatives.

    Investigate ways to involve youth participation such as through an apprenticeship scheme.

  • Improve the public realm in the central city and local shopping areas, such as Frankton and Hamilton East.

    Provide the infrastructure and commercial/industrial land needed to support business growth and employment.

    Attract locals and visitors to the central city through supporting local arts, culture and music.

  • Continue with an Economic Development committee of council. It's working - Hamilton GDP has increased 4.3% despite Covid-19. NZ average was was 3.6%.

    Continue to attract companies that pay well and best fit our growth strategy in key sectors of tech, logistics, manufacturing and agri-tech.

    Deploy the $50 Million municipal endowment fund as an economic enabler through public/private projects such as another hotel.

  • Help Waikato University research responsible chemical timber treatment and design prefab homes with local materials.

    Help local manufacturers build prefab homes with local materials. Using 'Time Bank', youth build skills, roads and get a home in return.

    Train artists, use talent to draw/paint/carve portrait of visitors on backdrop of Hamilton Gardens, provide online ads and bookings.

  • Support meaningful job creation in industries that contribute to a sustainable regional economy, including through procurement.

    Prioritise circular-economies practices and scale-up existing community initiatives.

    Elevate our arts and events sectors as an opportunity for growing tourism and regional partnerships.

  • Support local business through pedestrianisation of key streets.