Regional Business Hub coming to the Waikato

A Regional Business Hub, aimed at bringing together organisations and agencies working to grow the Hamilton and Waikato economy, has been given the green light by the Hamilton City Council’s Business and Investment Subcommittee yesterday (10 March).

The business hub has also received the endorsement of the steering group responsible for overseeing the Waikato Means Business regional economic development strategy and Hamilton City Council will be the lead agency.  The multi-agency project will begin recruiting a Project Manager, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), to assist with establishing the hub in Hamilton’s central city.

The Council’s General Manager City Growth Kelvyn Eglinton says the project is aligned with national, regional and city strategic initiatives.  “It provides a significant opportunity to promote Hamilton and the Waikato as an easy and thriving place to invest and do business. We’ve have had some positive and productive conversations with our key partners and are excited by its potential,” Mr Eglinton says.

“This is another significant step in our city’s growth story with our thriving residential and commercial activity.”


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

Business and Investment Subcommittee Chair Mayor Julie Hardaker says this concept is included in the government’s Business Growth Agenda and provides a one stop shop for investment and business attraction as well as support for the city and region’s businesses.

“Critical to success is the collaboration of agencies including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Waikato Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton Waikato Tourism and Te Puni Kokiri who along with others, will be involved the business hub.  This will be a first for the Waikato and provides a real opportunity to present a united approach to support economic activity and growth.  It’s great to have MBIE on board and supporting it.”

The establishment of a regional business hub is an action from the Hamilton Central City Transformation Plan and Waikato Means Business strategy, and has received the endorsement of the Waikato Mayoral Forum.