About Hamilton

Hamilton's economy

• Is at the centre of one of the richest agricultural and pastoral areas in the world
• Major service centre for the Waikato region
• Dairy industry is centered around Hamilton and Waikato - world class centre of agicultural biotech excellence
• Home to a number of NZ's science research facilities
• Home to national Agricultural Fieldays - largest agricultural trade show in the southern Hemisphere (generating $290 million sales) 
• City's closeness to two main sea ports (Auckland and Tauranga), 2 international airports (Auckland and Hamilton), railway, south Auckland industrial base and state highways provide significant opportunities for export and import

Further information can also be found in the Reports and Monitoring section

• Reports and Monitoring

A selection of comparisons (as at 30 June)

Notes

1      University of Waikato Population Studies Centre Projections

2     Statistics New Zealand (Business Frame Survey).

3     Employee count includes all part-time and full-time workers.

4     Parks and Gardens – areas are defined as being available wholly/principally as recreational public open space.  A change in criteria for 2007 has led to changes in numbers and areas reported, but there is no change in the underlying resource.

5     Sports Areas – areas are defined as providing a sports venue for the public.  A change in criteria for 2007 has led to changes in numbers and areas reported, but there is no change in the underlying resource.

6     In addition Council has partner pool relationships and provides funding to the University of Waikato Campus Pool, Hillcrest Normal School, Te Rapa Primary School and Fairfield College.

7     Includes traffic bridges, large culverts, and pedestrian bridges/underpasses.

8     Includes on-road cycle lanes and off-road cycle paths.

History

The earliest recorded settlers in the Hamilton area were Maori from the Tainui waka. The Tainui people called an area on the west bank of the Waikato River Kirikiriroa (long stretch of gravel), which is the Maori name for Hamilton today. The area was later renamed Hamilton after Captain John Charles Fane Hamilton, who was killed at the battle of Gate Pa in Tauranga in 1864.

The Hamilton area has a history of 700-800 years of Maori occupation and settlement, highlighted by pa sites, traditional gardens and agricultural features along the Waikato River. The main hapu of Hamilton/Kirikiriroa and the surrounding area are Ngati Wairere, Ngati Haua and Ngati Mahanga.

In 1863, the New Zealand Settlement Act enabled land to be taken from Maori by the Crown. This resulted in 1.2 million hectares of land being confiscated in the Waikato region, and part of this land provided the basis for European settlement in Hamilton.

Formal European settlement was established on 24 August 1864, when Captain William Steele came off the gunboat Rangiriri and established the first redoubt near what is now known as Memorial Park.

A military outpost was set up in Hamilton East, which was originally destined to be the main street of Hamilton. Evidence of planning for the centre of the village can be seen in the 'village square' concept of Steele Park and the planting of 'English' trees along Grey Street.

The Borough of Hamilton was established in 1877 with a population of 1,245 and an area of 752 hectares. In December 1945, Hamilton became a city with 20,000 citizens, and in 2006 has a population of around 134,000.

Contact

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Strategy and Research
Level 2 Council Offices
Garden Place
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 6810
Fax: 838 6464

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