What’s a Long-Term Plan?
The Long-Term Plan includes a 30-year Infrastructure Strategy, which sets the strategic direction for providing infrastructure, as required by the Local Government Act 2002.
Amendment to the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan (February 2026)
On 12 February 2026, Hamilton City Council approved amendments to the 2024–34 Long-Term Plan and the 2024-54 Infrastructure Strategy to reflect the transfer of water supply and wastewater responsibilities from 1 July 2026. This follows Council’s decision on 29 May 2025 to transfer these responsibilities to a new organisation, IAWAI - Flowing Waters.
These amendments are purely consequential updates, as required by legislation, to ensure the decision on waters delivery is reflected (together with any consequential changes). All other content is unchanged. Other changes that have occurred since the Long-Term Plan was adopted, for example, through the 2025/26 Annual Plan are not reflected.
Read the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan (February 2026 Amendment)
Read the 2024-54 Infrastructure Strategy (February 2026 Amendment)
2024-34 Long-Term Plan (July 2024)
This Long-Term Plan has now been replaced by the Long-Term Plan Amendment (February 2026). It is provided here for reference only.
Read the original 2024-34 Long-Term Plan
Read the original 2024-54 Infrastructure Strategy
Read the 2024-34 Financial Strategy
Council profiles published by the Department of Internal Affairs
What's in our Long-Term Plan
This Long-Term Plan document outlines our plans, budgets and priorities for the next decade, with a focus on the next three years.
Across New Zealand, councils, households and businesses are facing hugely challenging financial circumstances, with inflation, interest costs and depreciation making everything we do more expensive.
Finding the right balance
This Plan is aimed at finding the right balance between continuing to maintain our city by delivering the essential work that our community values and relies on, while meeting everyday costs with everyday revenue within three years, and keeping rates increases as low as possible in the circumstances.
The Plan is based on the needs of current and future Hamiltonians. During the consultation period, Council received almost 3000 submissions from individuals, organisations and businesses. Significant changes were made in the final Plan as a result of this feedback. Read about what we consulted on here.
We found a lot of savings by reducing our staff costs and making cuts to our capital programme.
But residents will continue receiving what Council currently provides — such as keeping library and pool opening hours, gardens maintained, the city tidy, and the current kerbside residential rubbish and recycling collection schedule.
Key dates
Elected Members information sessions
The Elected Members receive updated information, modelling and rates scenarios.
Proposed budget
Council meets to consider the proposed budget, significant forecasting assumptions and Development Contributions Policy.
Significance and Engagement Policy
Council meets to consider adopting the draft Significance and Engagement Policy.
Consultation document
Council meets to adopt the Long-Term Plan 2024-34 consultation document.
Read the consultation document
Community consultation
Council consults with the Hamilton Kirikiriroa community and receives written submissions.
Community feedback considered
Council meets to consider the community feedback. Verbal submissions are heard in late May.
Read the verbal submissions agenda
Long-Term Plan adopted
Council meets to adopt the Long-Term Plan 2024-34 and set rates for 2024-25.
Long-Term Plan Amendment adopted
Council meets to adopt amendments to the 2024–34 Long-Term Plan and the 2024-54 Infrastructure Strategy.
Previous Long-Term Plans
2021-31
2018-28
2015-25
2012-22
2009-19
2006-16
2004-14
Feedback
Last updated 23 February 2026