Hamilton City Council

East General Ward
The Hamilton City Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 14 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the city). six councillors will be elected from the East ward. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Hamilton City Council election.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • Rebuild trust by making transparency a priority and making it easy because the more information available to the public, the better.

    Rebuild trust by genuine consultation rather than predetermined propaganda.

    Rebuild trust by ending co-governance and getting rid of DEI policies.

  • Increase public engagement by holding regular community forums and online consultations.

    Strengthen Māori and ethnic community representation through dedicated advisory panels and support Māori wards.

    Ensure fair wages at least the Living Wage and good working conditions for all council employees.

  • Introduce a visibility policy that expects councillors to be in the office, community and available at identified times for the public.

    Establish a strong governance and management relationship through regular sessions with senior leadership in council and elected council members.

    Establish an ethnic communities advisory group to communicate with council on important cultural matters to ensure council is responsive.

  • Ensure full transparency of council spending and decision-making.

    Engage regularly with residents through public meetings and surveys.

    Review staffing levels and costs to ensure efficiency and value for money.

  • Have councillors hold regular drop-in clinics and public meetings in community centres to hear people's concerns, ideas and complaints.

    Reform council management to enhance transparency and accountability and reduce the complexity and expense of the bureaucracy.

    Focus on recruiting, training and retaining competent staff and remove public funding from LGNZ and SOLGM; obtain better services elsewhere.

  • Ensure the retention of Māori wards and māngai Māori at council.

    Create targeted engagement opportunities for underrepresented communities.

    Fund He Pou Manawa Ora, the council's Māori strategy.

  • End race-based policies across local government and treat every resident equally and fairly.

    Oppose voting rights for unelected iwi representatives and ensure decisions rest with elected councillors.

    Uphold free speech in council venues so lawful community groups can access them without bias.

  • Rebuild trust by making transparency a priority and making it easy because the more information available to the public, the better.

    Rebuild trust by genuine consultation rather than predetermined propaganda.

    Rebuild trust by ending co-governance and getting rid of DEI policies.

  • Increase public engagement by holding regular community forums and online consultations.

    Strengthen Māori and ethnic community representation through dedicated advisory panels and support Māori wards.

    Ensure fair wages at least the Living Wage and good working conditions for all council employees.

  • Introduce a visibility policy that expects councillors to be in the office, community and available at identified times for the public.

    Establish a strong governance and management relationship through regular sessions with senior leadership in council and elected council members.

    Establish an ethnic communities advisory group to communicate with council on important cultural matters to ensure council is responsive.

  • Ensure full transparency of council spending and decision-making.

    Engage regularly with residents through public meetings and surveys.

    Review staffing levels and costs to ensure efficiency and value for money.

  • Have councillors hold regular drop-in clinics and public meetings in community centres to hear people's concerns, ideas and complaints.

    Reform council management to enhance transparency and accountability and reduce the complexity and expense of the bureaucracy.

    Focus on recruiting, training and retaining competent staff and remove public funding from LGNZ and SOLGM; obtain better services elsewhere.

  • Ensure the retention of Māori wards and māngai Māori at council.

    Create targeted engagement opportunities for underrepresented communities.

    Fund He Pou Manawa Ora, the council's Māori strategy.

  • End race-based policies across local government and treat every resident equally and fairly.

    Oppose voting rights for unelected iwi representatives and ensure decisions rest with elected councillors.

    Uphold free speech in council venues so lawful community groups can access them without bias.