What we do | Hamilton City Council

Increasing native vegetation cover

We’re bringing nature back into the city, and as part of our Nature in the City Strategy 2020 - 2050, we aim to increase Hamilton’s native vegetation cover from 2% to 10% by 2050.

Restoring gullies

We work with community groups and others to restore gullies on public land. We also undertake restoration projects with private gully owners, linking them with support and resources.

New Zealand’s largest inland restoration project

We own and manage Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, New Zealand’s largest inland restoration project, with support from The University of Waikato, Wintec, Waikato Regional Council, and Tui 2000.

Protecting native bats

Hamilton is the country’s only large urban environment with significant populations of native long-tailed bats. We’re part of the Waikato Bat Alliance, working with mana whenua, other councils and the Department of Conservation to protect the bats and their habitat. The Waikato Regional Bat Strategy supports the work we’re already doing to ensure the bats are protected as our city grows.

Waikato Biodiversity Forum

We are a member of the Waikato Biodiversity Forum, working to help halt the loss of biodiversity in Hamilton (and the wider Waikato region). We provide funding to the Forum and work with it to raise awareness of biodiversity and the importance of restoring our city’s ecosystems.