Hamilton City Council

East 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 East 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.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • End race-based policies across local government and treat every resident equally and fairly.

    Oppose voting rights for unelected iwi representatives and ensure decisions rest with elected councillors.

    Uphold free speech in council venues so lawful community groups can access them without bias.

  • Build on a culture of service across all levels of council, putting ratepayers and residents first.

    Ensure core services are delivered with the resources required.

    Build trust with non-voting constituents through consistent, continuous two-way communication, regular updates and formal and informal feedback loops.

  • Engage regularly with residents through public meetings and surveys.

    Ensure full transparency of council spending and decision-making.

    Review staffing levels and costs to ensure efficiency and value for money.

  • Cap rates increases at inflation to shield Hamiltonians' wallets, ensuring fair funding for core services like roads and water.

    Enhance budget transparency with public dashboards, detailing spending to rebuild trust and treat all Kiwis equally.

    Slash consultant spending by mandating internal staff solutions, saving millions and protecting ratepayers from wasteful costs.

  • Focus on recruiting, training and retaining competent staff and remove public funding from LGNZ and SOLGM; obtain better services elsewhere.

    Have councillors hold regular drop-in clinics and public meetings in community centres to hear people's concerns, ideas and complaints.

    Reform council management to enhance transparency and accountability and reduce the complexity and expense of the bureaucracy.

  • Ensure fair wages at least the Living Wage and good working conditions for all council employees.

    Increase public engagement by holding regular community forums and online consultations.

    Strengthen Māori and ethnic community representation through dedicated advisory panels and support Māori wards.

  • Create targeted engagement opportunities for underrepresented communities.

    Ensure the retention of Māori wards and māngai Māori at council.

    Fund He Pou Manawa Ora, the council's Māori strategy.

  • Establish a strong governance and management relationship through regular sessions with senior leadership in council and elected council members.

    Establish an ethnic communities advisory group to communicate with council on important cultural matters to ensure council is responsive.

    Introduce a visibility policy that expects councillors to be in the office, community and available at identified times for the public.

  • Celebrate and connect diverse communities through events and welcoming communities grants, with over 180 ethnic groups calling Kirikiriroa home.

    Defend Māori wards as essential for good governance under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

    Invest in community spaces like neighbourhood houses, centres and libraries to enable public engagement.

  • Rebuild trust by ending co-governance and getting rid of DEI policies.

    Rebuild trust by genuine consultation rather than predetermined propaganda.

    Rebuild trust by making transparency a priority and making it easy because the more information available to the public, the better.

  • End race-based policies across local government and treat every resident equally and fairly.

    Oppose voting rights for unelected iwi representatives and ensure decisions rest with elected councillors.

    Uphold free speech in council venues so lawful community groups can access them without bias.

  • Build on a culture of service across all levels of council, putting ratepayers and residents first.

    Ensure core services are delivered with the resources required.

    Build trust with non-voting constituents through consistent, continuous two-way communication, regular updates and formal and informal feedback loops.

  • Engage regularly with residents through public meetings and surveys.

    Ensure full transparency of council spending and decision-making.

    Review staffing levels and costs to ensure efficiency and value for money.

  • Cap rates increases at inflation to shield Hamiltonians' wallets, ensuring fair funding for core services like roads and water.

    Enhance budget transparency with public dashboards, detailing spending to rebuild trust and treat all Kiwis equally.

    Slash consultant spending by mandating internal staff solutions, saving millions and protecting ratepayers from wasteful costs.

  • Focus on recruiting, training and retaining competent staff and remove public funding from LGNZ and SOLGM; obtain better services elsewhere.

    Have councillors hold regular drop-in clinics and public meetings in community centres to hear people's concerns, ideas and complaints.

    Reform council management to enhance transparency and accountability and reduce the complexity and expense of the bureaucracy.

  • Ensure fair wages at least the Living Wage and good working conditions for all council employees.

    Increase public engagement by holding regular community forums and online consultations.

    Strengthen Māori and ethnic community representation through dedicated advisory panels and support Māori wards.

  • Create targeted engagement opportunities for underrepresented communities.

    Ensure the retention of Māori wards and māngai Māori at council.

    Fund He Pou Manawa Ora, the council's Māori strategy.

  • Establish a strong governance and management relationship through regular sessions with senior leadership in council and elected council members.

    Establish an ethnic communities advisory group to communicate with council on important cultural matters to ensure council is responsive.

    Introduce a visibility policy that expects councillors to be in the office, community and available at identified times for the public.

  • Celebrate and connect diverse communities through events and welcoming communities grants, with over 180 ethnic groups calling Kirikiriroa home.

    Defend Māori wards as essential for good governance under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

    Invest in community spaces like neighbourhood houses, centres and libraries to enable public engagement.

  • Rebuild trust by ending co-governance and getting rid of DEI policies.

    Rebuild trust by genuine consultation rather than predetermined propaganda.

    Rebuild trust by making transparency a priority and making it easy because the more information available to the public, the better.