Hamilton City Council has secured a rare, once‑in‑32‑years opportunity by purchasing a 40,469m2 property on Brymer Road - a move it describes as both strategic and cost‑effective.
The property including one house and a large amount of undeveloped grass, is situated next to Hamilton Zoo and would allow for the strategic future growth of the Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct.
The property was purchased for $1.739m, plus GST which will be claimed back, equating to less than $43 per square meter.
Decided by a unanimous Council vote in December 2025, the purchase was funded through the Council’s Strategic Land Fund, with money available following the sale of a previous strategic land holding in Rototuna.
Council’s Chief Executive Lance Vervoort said this is the first time the property has been available in more than three decades.
“Property is rarely more affordable than it is now and we might not have this opportunity again for a long time, if ever,” says Vervoort.
The property will also allow for space for planned future development of habitats, especially for Hamilton Zoo’s southern white rhinoceroses.
“Not only is the property in the best location for access to hard-to-reach areas of the Zoo, having this property will allow us to save around $900,000 in efficiencies.”
“The planned and much‑needed Rhino management facility directly borders this property. Having this land gives us safer and more efficient access away from visitor areas, saving between $600,000 and $800,000 on that project alone.”
In the short-term, the house on the property will be secured and rented out.
In the 2024/25 year, Hamilton Zoo recorded strong performance with 191,430 visitors and $3.6 million in revenue from admissions, retail sales, and donations.