Leo Liu Candidate

Candidate Statement

I have the experience and skills to deliver real change for our city and rein in rates. I hold an MBA and bring 13 years of hands on experience in building, housing, and infrastructure. I know the true cost of projects and where Council is wasting money.

Rates are on track to double in five years, with more going to interest instead of filling potholes or building the infrastructure Hamilton needs.

I will push for a full line by line review of Council spending to cut waste and focus on what matters most. We must stop costly projects like $800,000 in lane bus stops and $350,000 speed bumps, and deliver real value for ratepayers.

I believe in a smarter, more accountable Council that works for you. I support Better Hamilton. It’s time for change — vote for change, vote for me. 

Candidate Profile Questions

1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years? 

1.  Stop wasteful spending to get rates under control. Rates are rising unsustainably while millions are wasted on vanity projects. I will push for a full line-by-line review of Council spending to cut unnecessary costs and deliver better value for ratepayers.
2. Grow the economy. Attract more businesses to Hamilton, support local industries, and cut red tape - especially in housing and infrastructure to create jobs. We should also promote Hamilton as a destination for international students, who boost our economy and help support local jobs in education, housing, and retail.
3. Get the basics right. Focus on infrastructure that supports growth at a reasonable cost—pipes, roads, and community facilities that people actually rely on day-to-day. 

2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa? 

A lot of us are struggling right now, and we need a change. I want Hamilton to be a place where families can afford to live, young people can find meaningful work, and older residents aren’t priced out of their homes. A city that grows sustainably and makes decisions based on common sense—not politics. 

We all want to live in a city that’s affordable and full of opportunity. But if our young people keep leaving because there are no jobs or affordable housing, Hamilton won’t have much of a future. Let’s build a city where people can stay, contribute, and thrive. 

3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing? 

Council needs to focus on doing fewer things, better. That means sticking to core services, cutting duplication, and operating more efficiently. 

We must also partner with the private sector on infrastructure and look at new ways of funding growth—without putting all the burden on ratepayers.

Right now, excessive red tape is holding us back. I’ve spoken with contractors who’ve worked on Council projects and had to triple their prices—just to deal with endless meetings and tick-box requirements. Too many consultants are hired to protect management, not serve the community. We must put ratepayer value at the heart of every decision. 

4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be? 

I would put a stop to irresponsible Council spending. Too many projects go over budget, deliver little public value, or were never needed in the first place – you know what they are. 

Fixing this would free up money for critical infrastructure—like pipes, roads, and help ease the pressure on households and businesses facing constant rate increases.