Economic development

Tech and innovation 

Hamilton has all the key ingredients of a successful tech hub: a pipeline of talent, supportive educational institutions, and a collaborative industry that thinks big and seeks out new opportunities.

Logistics

Hamilton’s logistics sector is driven by access to over half of New Zealand’s population, proximity to rail and expressways, and direct links to the country’s two largest seaports. The region supports end-to-end supply chain solutions, including cold storage, retail goods distribution, and bulk material transport.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing plays a key role in Hamilton’s economy, with businesses operating across a range of subsectors including food production, machinery and equipment, metal fabrication, transport equipment, and plastics.

Education

Hamilton is a centre of learning, science, research, and innovation – driven by the University of Waikato, the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. The country’s third medical school, the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, will open here in 2028.

Healthcare

Healthcare is Hamilton’s largest employment sector, directly responsible for 16% of all jobs. Waikato Hospital is joined by a core group of private hospitals, including Braemar, Southern Cross, and Anglesea, as well as a wide range of diagnostic and specialist services.