Opportunity Hamilton
Opportunity Hamilton
Opportunity Hamilton
Business Services
Business Attraction
Projects
Partners
Opportunity hamilton

Hamilton-Auckland Train Link for RWC2011

Many of us have been following the ‘journey’ of the commuter train petition over the past few months.  11,500 people are calling for a commuter train to be established between Hamilton and Auckland.  Unfortunately, on 30 April, the transport and industrial relations select committee told Parliament it had rejected hearing submitters of the petition.

At Opportunity Hamilton, we are working in partnership with the Waikato Chamber of Commerce on a different – yet related – commuter train option specifically around the Rugby World Cup.  It is an option, we believe, that could be just what is needed to gain momentum and establish the Hamilton-Auckland service once and for all.

We recently approached On Track, which owns and manages New Zealand's rail network on behalf of the Government, about the feasibility of this idea.  Before we embarked on developing the business case, we wanted to know if the idea had legs and would gain support from On Track.

The organisation quickly replied that it had already begun evaluating options for deployment of passenger rolling stock for the Rugby World Cup and a Hamilton-Auckland service is one option it is exploring. 

At the moment, On Track is completing its desktop review.  Once this is finished, Opportunity Hamilton and the Chamber will speak with them further, discuss the business case and progress the idea with relevant stakeholders.

Initiating a Hamilton-Auckland train service for the Rugby World Cup has the potential to provide numerous benefits. 

The primary benefit to our city and region is the ability to get more people out of Auckland and spending their tourism dollars in our hotels, restaurants and shops. 

You may ask, “Why would people choose to commute rather than stay in the heart of Auckland?”  One word – traffic.

We believe tourists enjoying the rugby matches in Auckland will see the benefits of avoiding traffic jams and huge city crowds during their downtime by hopping on a short (by international standards) train journey to Hamilton.  Their leisure time can truly be leisure time in Hamilton, as they avoid fighting the masses of people and congestion.

Do you think your business would benefit economically from a Hamilton-Auckland train service during Rugby World Cup?  We want your opinion and thoughts to help us develop our business case.  Email us at: train@opportunityhamilton.co.nz.

Opportunity hamilton Opportunity hamilton
 Hamilton is New Zealand’s largest inland city, and 4th largest urban area.  Hamilton is on the main tourist route between Auckland and Taupo. Hamilton is the heart of the Waikato.  Hamilton has a land area of 98.6 km2 (New Zealand's smallest city in terms of land area).  The average age in Hamilton is 31.3 years compared to 35.9 years nationally.  Hamilton has a youthful population - around half of residents are under 30 years old.  New Zealand European makes up three quarters of the population, and Maori 19%.  Hamilton is home to more than 80 ethnic groups from 65 countries.  Over half of all New Zealanders (53 percent) were living in four main urban areas (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch) at 30 June 2009.  As at February 2008 there were 12,476 small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hamilton. This figure accounted for 94% of the total number of businesses in Hamilton.  SMEs contribution to employment in Hamilton stands at 33% which equates to 25,810 employees.  The growth of SMEs in Hamilton city between 2000 and 2008 was 31% which is above the 25% percent growth recorded in the rest of New Zealand over the same time period.  Hamilton is the home of the mighty Chiefs and Waikato rugby teams and the 26,000 capacity Waikato Stadium.  Hamilton will host 3 matches in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.  Construction of the $1 billion Waikato Expressway, including design work on the Hamilton bypass, is underway