We want Hamilton Kirikiriroa to be an even better place for everyone to play, with things to do or see around every corner.
What we will focus on:
- We'll develop open community spaces like Korikori Park in Rototuna and Minogue Park in Forest Lake that are accessible to everyone to enjoy.
- We’ll invest in and enhance Waikato Museum, Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Zoo and Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park to create new and unique experiences for our people and visitors.
- We’ll host and celebrate city events like the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival and Balloons over Waikato.
- We’ll actively celebrate and promote a city where residents have the opportunity to have fun with their friends and family.
- We’ll support local sports events by investing in play spaces and we'll work hard to attract national and international sports events to our city.
Council’s total operating budget for 2024/25 is $445.8 million. The operating costs to deliver Priority 4 are $94.1 million.
*The $445.8 million operating budget excludes $8.3 million in support unit costs that are not allocated to any specific priority.
Here are the projects we’re proposing to do for Priority 4 over the next 10 years, and what our everyday costs in 2024/25 will be. You can also see the projects we’re proposing not to fund in the Long-Term Plan.
Funded – unless otherwise stated these figures have not been adjusted for inflation
Project |
Description |
Net 10-year total cost (000s) |
| Rototuna, Rotokauri and Peacocke Programmes | As new homes and subdivisions are built in the city, we need more green spaces for our communities. Funding will secure new land for open spaces, develop existing parks for sports-use and make sure natural spaces are protected from development. It will help secure and enhance gully networks, esplanade reserves, neighbourhood parks and sports parks and natural areas in greenfield areas. | $2,857 |
| Waikato Museum - internal environment upgrade | This project involves redevelopment of the Museum entrance to industry standard, as well as upgrading the internal environment to ensure our taonga is protected. This will create opportunities for bigger exhibitions and events. It also involves upgrading the area around the museum, continuing work that is already underway. | $3,850 |
| Embassy Park (south end precinct) | This project brings improvements necessary to support change in urban infrastructure due to the Waikato Regional Theatre development. Included in this scope are public space changes and connections to Embassy Park and Sapper Moore-Jones Place, and upgrades to Victoria Street. | $4,750 |
| Hamilton Park Cemetery Burial and Ash Lawn Development Programme | This project includes the expansion of the current burial and ash lawns to make sure we have enough space to meet requirements - this includes building infrastructure such as roading surrounding the burial and ash lawn areas. | $5,875 |
| Community Facilities Improvements - Pukete Neighbourhood House | Construction of a fit-for-purpose community facility to serve north-west Hamilton via Pukete Neighbourhood House. | $3,030 |
| Lake Domain Water Quality improvements Infrastructure | This project will install monitoring equipment to inform the creation of a water quality improvements programme. | $600 |
| Nature in the City Portfolio Programme - Delivery Projects | Our Nature in the City projects under this priority include ecological restoration and path/access track development at several parks and gullies across Hamilton. The objective of this work is to contribute to achieving the minimum 10% native vegetation cover required in the city to ensure that ecosystems are sustainable over time. | $27,721 |
| Play Spaces Programme | Continued development of play spaces in line with strategies. Allowance for retro-fitting additional shade structures aligned with renewals programme (renewals programme does not include this service level increase). |
$16,181 |
| Sports Parks Improvements Programme A | To make sure our sports parks remain up to standard, this programme will see the installation of drainage, irrigation, sand capping, and floodlighting at several parks across the city. We will also provide changing room upgrades for gender neutrality, new changing rooms, artificial turf installation and carpark upgrades. These works will make provision for the future, keep up the quality of our sports parks, and keep up with changing sport and recreation needs. | $11,202 |
| West Town Belt Implementation - Boyes Park Redevelopment | Boyes Park sits in the wider Western Town Belt project - a large 54-hectare site in the centre of Hamilton and an important public open space that can contribute to delivering the city’s open space needs. As an important central city park space, the redevelopment of Boyes Park will provide new amenities, including spaces for events, community play, sports, and recreation. | $1,300 |
| Hamilton Gardens - Amenity, Safety, Access, and Visitor Experience Initiatives | As one of the most popular destinations in Hamilton, these initiatives at Hamilton Gardens will create essential amenities such as shade and toilets, contribute to making the gardens accessible, and enhance the visitor experience with things like new garden developments. | $5,866 |
| Public Art Support Fund | This fund supports public art in Hamilton city, helping to create vibrant and attractive public spaces. | $341 |
| Te Kaaroro Futureproofing and Revenue Generation Programme - Part A | This programme looks at future-proofing Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct, enhancing its visitor experience and creating revenue generating opportunities. The main focus is on improving the boundary security, and improving access including parking. |
$2,200 |
| Waiwhakareke Nature Conservation Development Programme | This project includes the build of a predator-proof fence along the perimeter of Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, and will also include creating paths, signage, and infrastructure to support staff, education, and the wildlife translocation programme. A predator-free sanctuary will allow native flora and fauna to flourish in an urban environment and spill over in other parts of the city, and native species to be safety reintroduced to the park providing residents and visitors with educational experiences, recreation and tourism opportunities. |
$660 |
| Visitor Destinations - Connected web presence and online customer channels | This will see the websites of Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Zoo and Waikato Museum - Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, brought together under one central fit-for-purpose website. This will make it easier to promote our destinations and will make bookings across sites easier and more seamless. | $416 |
| Renewals - cemeteries and crematorium (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $5,186 |
| Renewals - community facilities (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $16,901 |
| Renewals - parks (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $111,676 |
| Renewals - Hamilton Gardens (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $11,850 |
| Renewals - Waikato Museum (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $18,554 |
| Renewals - Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $63,210 |
| Renewals - Claudelands, FMG Stadium and Seddon Park (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $106,995 |
Unfunded
Programme |
Description |
Net 10-year total cost |
| Community Facilities - Glenview Community Hub (Centre + Library) | This project provides a community hub and community centre in Glenview based on the hub model of Te Kete Aronui. This will contribute towards strategic outcomes and support the growing southern communities. A location is not yet identified and there are various options to be explored in relation to the existing Glenview Library site. |
$29,708 |
| Community Facilities Improvements | Improve the provision and quality of community facilities with a focus on a network of community centres across the City to enhance community wellbeing. Having a network of modern fit-for-purpose community centres is critical infrastructure to build healthier, resilient communities. The aim is to achieve spaces where our people feel welcome, valued and proud. Key projects are Enderley / Te Papanui, as well as Celebrating Age Centre, Flagstaff Club and Porritt Stadium. |
$135,700 |
| Destination Park Improvements Programme | Continued implementation of the Play Strategy outcomes by increasing the level of service at five of our destination parks (Taitua Arboretum, Hamilton Lake Domain, Minogue Park, Claudelands, Memorial Park) through a range of improvements. The proposed improvements will help enhance our destination parks as premium attractions for residents, visitors and tourists. | $9,990 |
| Destination Park Improvements Programme - West Town Belt | This programme continues bringing to life the West Town Belt Masterplan. Continuation of development of the West Town Belt started in the current LTP, including subsequent redevelopment phases for Boyes and Hinemoa Parks. |
$9,468 |
| Hamilton Park Cemetery Land Acquisition | Funding to enable acquisition of land for future development in line with legislative requirements. Will be considered as part of Strategic Land Purchase. |
$8,047 |
| Land to Park Development | Developing purchased land into usable parks, so we can contribute to decreasing the shortfall hours there are for demand vs capacity for sports parks. Also increasing our capacity of all other types of parks. We are proposing to develop four land areas into bookable sports park spaces. | $2,509 |
| Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Programme | Programme of improvements to several neighbourhood parks by developing new and improved footpaths to enable increased movement across the city through sustainable transport options. This programme also provides for new signage aligned with other works that will provide better information and education around activities on Council's parks. | $2,530 |
| Parks Waste Management Improvements | This programme aims to deliver on sustainability outcomes from Our Climate Future and the Open Spaces Strategy. By improving the management of waste across the city’s parks litter and landfill contributions could be reduced as well as improving water quality. This will assist in achieving environmental sustainability goals and efficiencies for waste management. |
$1,331 |
| Peacocke Stage 2 Natural Areas and Neighbourhood Parks - Cycleways Development | Development of parks and open space in Peacocke is needed to ensure HCC has the adequate provision of green space required to accommodate future growth both in the southern parts of the city as well as collectively across Hamilton. | $2,608 |
| Peacocke Stage 2 Natural Areas and Neighbourhood Parks - Parks & Open Spaces Development | As the community grows, there will be an increasing need for open space, and increased pressure on the existing network of sports parks in the rest of the city | $27,406 |
| Peacocke Stage 2 Natural Areas and Neighbourhood Parks - Public Toilets Development | Development of the parks and open spaces will include related network infrastructure over time such as toilets and cycleways. | $571 |
| Peacocke Stage 2 Natural Areas and Neighbourhood Parks - Reserve Land Acquisition | There will be increasing demand for local neighbourhood parks as the city grows. In order to continue to meet Council’s target of 76% of the population being within 500m walking distance of a park (Open Space Provision policy), investment is needed in these smaller parks as well as sports parks to meet a more localised need | $33,572 |
| Public Toilet Improvements | Making sure that the public toilets around Hamilton are safe, accessible, and strategically located to meet the needs of the public. The programme will make improvements to the network to provide fit-for-purpose, modern public facilities that met the expectations of our communities. | $6,144 |
| Rotokauri Community Park Acquisition | Development of parks and open space in Rotokauri is needed to ensure HCC has an adequate provision of green space required to accommodate future growth both in the western parts of the city as well as collectively across Hamilton. As the community grows, there will be an increasing need for open space, and increased pressure on the existing network of sports parks in the rest of the city. Council already owns undeveloped sports and community park in Rotokauri which will be developed to cater to the growing community in the area. There will be increasing demand for local neighbourhood parks as the city grows. To continue to meet Council’s target of 76% of the population being within 500m walking distance of a park (Open Space Provision policy), investment is needed in smaller parks as well as sports parks to meet a more localised need. |
$1,351 |
| Rotokauri Park Development | Development of parks and open space in Rotokauri is needed to ensure HCC has an adequate provision of green space required to accommodate future growth, both in the western parts of the city as well as collectively across Hamilton. As the community grows, there will be an increasing need for open space, and increased pressure on the existing network of sports parks in the rest of the city. Council already owns undeveloped sports and community park in Rotokauri which will be developed to cater to the growing community in the area. |
$23,042 |
| Rototuna Neighbourhood Park | Neighbourhood reserves are now relatively well provided for throughout the Rototuna growth cell. One additional neighbourhood reserve is required in order to meet the 500m walking distance requirements of the Open Space Provision Policy. Acquisition is dependent on suitable, affordable land. This budget is to purchase the land. | $8,405 |
| Sports Parks Improvements Programme B | This comprehensive programme to improve sports park facilities across the city. Improvements will address access/provision network, quality, and capacity to meet population growth needs. The evolving trends in sport and recreation needs, and increasing user expectations require investment to meet the communities’ needs and expectations. Works would include continuation of existing programmes such as field drainage, floodlighting and changing room modernisation. Also included is sand capping, artificial turfs, and carpark and security upgrades. |
$24,711 |
| Verandah Cafe Building Improvements | Redevelopment of the current building to ensure that it is fit for purpose by providing additional storage capacity, office space, staff facilities (including toilet, shower and staff room) along with improved safety and security measures. | $2,179 |
| Water Safety Infrastructure Improvements | This builds on the recent pilot project to improve water safety for recreational activities along the Waikato River. This will include improving hazard and safety signage to meet NZ standards, improvements to water bound infrastructure to ensure it is safe to use. |
$1,493 |
| Enclosed Gardens Visitor Safety and Security Infrastructure | Programme of works vital to safeguarding staff and public within the enclosed gardens. The projects implement independent Security Risk Assessment recommendations – CCTV, PA, and Emergency Exits. A WorkSafe investigation is likely if an incident occurred. | $2,839 |
| Hamilton Gardens - Amenity, Safety, Access, and Visitor Experience Initiatives - Part C | This phase of the programme seeks to improve access to the Mansfield Garden tennis court which could have revenue generation benefits for the booking potential of the Summer House and Court. | $211 |
| Hamilton Gardens - Improving and Future-proofing Visitor Access, Traffic Management, and Parking Capacity - Part A | Critical to a world class destination, Hamilton Gardens’ traffic management infrastructure requires investment. This portion of the comprehensive programme addresses the immediate solutions available by optimising existing carpark footprints. |
$2,492 |
| Hamilton Gardens - Improving and Future-proofing Visitor Access, Traffic Management, and Parking Capacity - Part B | Phased implementation of longer term car parking and visitor connections solutions to improve traffic management and access in line with a world class destination. | $27,824 |
| Hamilton Gardens - Integrated Audio Visual Solution in the Pavilion | This project would enable the updated Pavilion to deliver on revenue potential as a modern hireable venue. | $683 |
| Hamilton Zoo Maintaining Levels of Service for Increased Visitation | This programme is key to the revitalisation of the Zoo. It looks to complete necessary Zoo improvements that will meet and maintain level of service in light of visitor growth. These improvements would include animal exhibits, visitor hubs and amenities, site assets and infrastructure. Early years focus on visitor experience fundamentals such as toilets and visitor safety. |
$28,631 |
| iSite Capacity & Location | This funding would preserve the opportunity to create an Enhanced iSITE location as part of the Visitor Network’s (VIN) Future Network Strategy and/or fund the relocation of iSITE. | $263 |
| Station Masters House - Conservation Work | This funding would build on the renewal funding to undertake conservation work for the Station Master’s House. Risk of losing a historic building if the condition drops to a level that makes salvaging the building impossible. It does not include funding for relocation of the building. |
$675 |
| Te Kaaroro - Nature Precinct - Stage 3 Function centre | Build a new function and education centre with toilets, outdoor space, providing for overnight education stays, kitchen/staff area complete with landscaping. The overall programme outcome is to enhance the biodiversity and green infrastructure of the Te Kaaroro. Offers an attractive hub to the community and visitors to gather and enjoy. It enables further business opportunities through new experiences and events, enhances education offerings and contributes to the city's tourism portfolio and broader economic growth. |
$9,082 |
| Te Kaaroro Futureproofing and Revenue Generation Programme - Part A-1 | This project is for land purchase but should be considered as part of the Strategic Land Purchase Programme. | $2,100 |
| Te Kaaroro Futureproofing and Revenue Generation Programme - Part B | This programme looks at future proofing Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct, enhancing its visitor experience and creating revenue generating opportunities. Part B focuses on additional land purchases surrounding the perimeter and development to enable complementary visitor offerings, conservation programmes (animal breeding facilities), compliance (quarantine) and animal welfare. |
$17,024 |
| Visitor Destinations - Branding Strategy | A cohesive rebranding of Waikato Museum to update and appeal to a wider range of communities. | $114 |
| VTME building renewals | The Renewals and Compliance programme’s purpose is to look after what we have through timely replacement of existing assets and adherence to necessary standards to continue providing services to our community. | $61,072 |
| VTME security and health and safety programmes - H3 | The Renewals and Compliance programme’s purpose is to look after what we have through timely replacement of existing assets and adherence to necessary standards to continue providing services to our community. | $5,257 |
| Waikato Museum - Entrance and Profile | This project would provide a modernised museum entrance enhancing the profile of the destination within the centre of the city. | $10,226 |
| Waikato Museum - Manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga improvements - Beale Cottage | This work continues to improve the Beale Cottage site building on the restoration work completed in LTP21-31. | $288 |
| Waikato Museum - Profile and Connections to Waikato Awa | This project enhances the connections between Waikato Museum and the Waikato Awa through paths and signage. There may be interdependencies with other HCC infrastructure projects. |
$4,742 |
| Waikato Museum - Visitor Experience Manaakitanga | Investment to enable new exhibitions and related infrastructure as well as opportunities for revenue generation. | $4,472 |
Operating (everyday) costs
Unit |
Long-Term Plan Year 1 2024/25 budget |
| Parks and recreation | $39,249 |
| Venues, tourism and major events | $54,870 |
Here are the projects we’re proposing to do for Priority 4 over the next 10 years, and what our everyday costs in 2024/25 will be. You can also see the projects we’re proposing not to fund in the Long-Term Plan.
Funded – these figures have been adjusted for inflation
Project |
Description |
Net 10-year total cost (000s) |
| Rototuna, Rotokauri and Peacocke Programmes | As new homes and subdivisions are built in the city, we need more green spaces for our communities. Funding will secure new land for open spaces, develop existing parks for sports-use and make sure natural spaces are protected from development. It will help secure and enhance gully networks, esplanade reserves, neighbourhood parks and sports parks and natural areas in greenfield areas. | $3,560,871 |
| Waikato Museum - internal environment upgrade | This project involves redevelopment of the Museum entrance to industry standard, as well as upgrading the internal environment to ensure our taonga is protected. This will create opportunities for bigger exhibitions and events. It also involves upgrading the area around the museum, continuing work that is already underway. | $4,043,130 |
| Embassy Park (south end precinct) | This project brings improvements necessary to support change in urban infrastructure due to the Waikato Regional Theatre development. Included in this scope are public space changes and connections to Embassy Park and Sapper Moore-Jones Place, and upgrades to Victoria Street. | $4,987,500 |
| Hamilton Park Cemetery Burial and Ash Lawn Development Programme | This project includes the expansion of the current burial and ash lawns to make sure we have enough space to meet requirements - this includes building infrastructure such as roading surrounding the burial and ash lawn areas. | $7,101,908 |
| Community Facilities Improvements - Pukete Neighbourhood House | Construction of a fit-for-purpose community facility to serve north-west Hamilton via Pukete Neighbourhood House. | $3,181,815 |
| Lake Domain Water Quality improvements Infrastructure | This project will install monitoring equipment to inform the creation of a water quality improvements programme. | $630,000 |
| Nature in the City Portfolio Programme - Delivery Projects | Our Nature in the City projects under this priority include ecological restoration and path/access track development at several parks and gullies across Hamilton. The objective of this work is to contribute to achieving the minimum 10% native vegetation cover required in the city to ensure that ecosystems are sustainable over time. | $31,382,730 |
| Play Spaces Programme | This programme allows for seven upgraded community playgrounds and two new playgrounds across the city. | $17,155,598 |
| Sports Parks Improvements Programme | To make sure our sports parks remain up to standard, this programme will see the installation of drainage, irrigation, sand capping, and floodlighting at several parks across the city. We will also provide changing room upgrades for gender neutrality, new changing rooms, artificial turf installation and carpark upgrades. These works will make provision for the future, keep up the quality of our sports parks, and keep up with changing sport and recreation needs. | $14,320,056 |
| West Town Belt Implementation - Boyes Park Redevelopment | Boyes Park sits in the wider Western Town Belt project - a large 54-hectare site in the centre of Hamilton and an important public open space that can contribute to delivering the city’s open space needs. As an important central city park space, the redevelopment of Boyes Park will provide new amenities, including spaces for events, community play, sports, and recreation. | $1,365,000 |
| Hamilton Gardens - Amenity, Safety, Access, and Visitor Experience Initiatives | As one of the most popular destinations in Hamilton, these initiatives at Hamilton Gardens will create essential amenities such as shade and toilets, contribute to making the gardens accessible, and enhance the visitor experience with things like new garden developments. | $7,668,707 |
| Public Art Support Fund | This fund supports public art in Hamilton city, helping to create vibrant and attractive public spaces. | $427,117 |
| Te Kaaroro Futureproofing and Revenue Generation Programme | This programme looks at future-proofing Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct, enhancing its visitor experience and creating revenue generating opportunities. The main focus is on improving the boundary security, and improving access including parking. |
$2,650,966 |
| Waiwhakareke Nature Conservation Development Programme | This project includes the build of a predator-proof fence along the perimeter of Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, and will also include creating paths, signage, and infrastructure to support staff, education, and the wildlife translocation programme. A predator-free sanctuary will allow native flora and fauna to flourish in an urban environment and spill over in other parts of the city, and native species to be safety reintroduced to the park providing residents and visitors with educational experiences, recreation and tourism opportunities. |
$748,107 |
| Visitor Destinations - Connected web presence and online customer channels | This will see the websites of Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Zoo and Waikato Museum - Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, brought together under one central fit-for-purpose website. This will make it easier to promote our destinations and will make bookings across sites easier and more seamless. | $436,800 |
| Renewals - cemeteries and crematorium (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $5,186 |
| Renewals - community facilities (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $16,901 |
| Renewals - parks (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $111,676 |
| Renewals - Hamilton Gardens (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $11,850 |
| Renewals - Waikato Museum (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $18,554 |
| Renewals - Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $63,210 |
| Renewals - Claudelands, FMG Stadium and Seddon Park (adjusted for inflation) | As well as new projects, a big part of what we do is looking after what we've got. Our renewals and compliance programme makes sure we replace our assets to a modern standard in order to meet community expectations and compliance needs. | $106,995 |
| Te Papanui Enderley community centre |
This project will enable Council to work with the community to improve the building facilities at Enderley Park. The aim of this project aligns with the goal of Te Papanui Enderley Community Trust to provide a safe, accessible, and functional space where community members can gather and access high quality programmes, activities and events delivered by the Trust. | $8,210,870 |