The Waikato Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to working with Hamilton City Council, its councillors and Mayor this
triennium on behalf of business to advance the needs of the city.
Chamber CEO Don Good said he would like to see the council and elected members more engaged with the business community.
“Business would like to see Mayor Paula Southgate follow through on the priorities she outlined in the mayoral debate
the Chamber hosted in September. Namely, improving council processes, supporting Hamilton as a strong innovation and
technology centre, and support for the hospitality and events sector,” Good said.
“Fellow mayoral candidate Geoff Taylor talked about some excellent priorities in that same debate that we’d also like to
see council adopt: fast-tracking hotels, potentially using a council endowment fund, extending the Waikato Expressway to
at least Piarere, and opening up the city to the Waikato River more.”
Good said the Chamber strongly supported getting the Cambridge to Piarere Expressway extension and Southern Links
underway – and urged other relevant councils to also support central Government funding these two key pieces of
infrastucture.
“These need to be a priority for both safety and to unlock economic development potential. Southern Links will unlock a
lot more greenfields land for housing, reducing the need for as much infill/intensification in the city.”
Good said something also needed to be done about the rampant crime in Hamilton.
“We understand it’s not all up to councils, but council does have a role to play and they certainly need to keep the
pressure on central government to come up with a solution between central and local government, police, and the business
community.
“Finally, the Chamber thanks all of those who put themselves forward for election and congratulates the winners.”