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Opportunity Hamilton chief executive Sandra Perry has resigned from the economic development agency after 12 years with the organisation.

Sandra will don her new hat, as Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive, on December 12, replacing the outgoing Wayne Walford.

Opportunity Hamilton acting chairman Chris Hughes said Sandra had made an “outstanding contribution” to the promotion and management of economic development support programmes during her time at the agency.

“She is an outstanding leader and she will certainly be missed. However, we are pleased we will still be working closely when she takes up her new role at the Chamber of Commerce,” said Chris.

He added, Sandra’s appointment would foster greater collaboration between the two organisations to the benefit of the business community.

“This will build the synergy and strengths of both organisations. We wish her well and look forward to working closely with the chamber in the future.”

Opportunity Hamilton board trustees are working to find a suitable replacement.

Chamber of Commerce president Mike Blake said Sandra’s appointment came after a robust recruitment process.

“Sandra is a strong and well respected leader and we know she is the right person to lead the chamber into the future,” Mike said.

“Wayne took the chief executive role nearly four years ago lifting the profile of the chamber with his passion and drive.

“We wish him well for his next position in the executive world.”

 Opportunity hamilton Opportunity hamilton
 Three tertiary institutions, - The University of Waikato, Wintec and Te Wananga o Aotearoa are located in Hamilton.  The University of Waikato generates 3% of the region’s total revenue and nearly $1 billion for the New Zealand economy as a whole.  Hamilton is a student city, with more than 46,000 people in tertiary study.  Hamilton is building a $68.4 million Claudelands Convention and Exhibition Centre. It includes a 5,000-capacity multipurpose indoor arena, 1,500-capacity conference centre and upgraded exhibition facilities.  Hamilton Farmer’s Market is held every Sunday from 8am to noon on River Road.  Hamilton’s population is around 135,000 people and is projected to increase to 178,782 in 2024.  Hamilton has 3.2% of New Zealand’s population and is one of the country’s fastest growing cities.  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 the New Zealand round of the prestigious V8 Supercar Championship in the city for the fifth year in 2012. The inaugural race in April 2008 attracted 172,000 attendees plus 5,000 people associated with the running of the event. The event generated $28.3 million of new money into the local economy in the first year and is estimated to generate $156 million over the seven years that the event will run.  Over 100,000 people annually visit New Zealand National Agriculture Fieldays held at Mystery Creek (10 minutes south of Hamilton), which is the largest agricultural event held in the Southern Hemisphere. Each year generates around $290 million sales.  As the centre of the thoroughbred industry, Hamilton has an excellent racing venue at Te Rapa. A national trotting track is 15 minutes drive from Hamilton in Cambridge.  Hamilton hosted the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Lake Karipiro (30 minutes south of Hamilton)   Raglan is 40 minutes by road from Hamilton and home to one of the world’s longest left-hand surf breaks.  Hamilton Zoo is home to over 600 native New Zealand and exotic animals, set in 25 ha of tranquil surroundings.