With the Government reaffirming the power of events to drive economic growth, Hamilton is backing the message with action.

The recent announcements for increased event sector support have Hamilton City Council’s event facilities division, H3, assessing the criteria to explore how Hamilton can continue to contribute to and benefit from the national momentum.

Ben Slatter, Director of H3, said Hamilton’s events track record backs up the Prime Minister’s comments.

“Hamilton has the venues, the capability, and the track record to host everything from international concerts to multi-day conferences and we’re ready for more,” said Slatter.

“In the past 12 months, events hosted at FMG Stadium Waikato, Claudelands and Seddon Park have generated millions in direct economic impact, welcomed over 500,000 attendees, and supported hundreds of local jobs across hospitality, logistics, and tourism.”

One standout example is the Black Caps vs England test match held at Seddon Park which generated $2.5 million in direct economic impact for the city.

Business events also play a critical role in the region’s visitor economy but are less-visible to the general public.

“Delegates attending conferences and meetings in New Zealand spend upwards of $426 per person, per day, significantly more than the average leisure traveller. This high-value audience supports accommodation, dining, transport, and retail sectors across the city.”

“H3 will continue working closely with promoters and event owners to bring high-quality events to the city, ensuring Hamilton remains a key player in New Zealand’s event landscape.”

Hamilton, through H3, continues to play a leading role in New Zealand’s event sector, actively hosting high-impact events and positioning itself for future opportunities as the national focus on events grows.