Building a vibrant economy is the focus of Opportunity Hamilton, the city's economic development agency. Together we support existing businesses, attract new businesses to the city and foster global and national investment relationships. Hamilton is the gateway to New Zealand, ideally located in the country’s burgeoning “growth triangle”, neighbouring Auckland and Tauranga We look forward to working with you.

LATEST NEWS

Contest opens UK market to NZ businesses

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Waikato companies keen to break into the UK market are being encouraged to enter a new UK Trade and ...more

OHs RWC role acknowledged

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Opportunity Hamilton has been acknowledged for its role as the business engagement face of RWC 2011 ...more

Sanity savers on a shoe-string a winner

Monday, 12 December 2011

A shoe-string budget has not stopped a Hamilton mother whose child care clip invention is taking the...more

LATEST NEWS

Lid lifted on business support

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Educating SMEs on the business capability support available to them is a key focus for the new manag...more

River clean-up reaps economic reward

Monday, 28 November 2011

Cleaning up Waikato River will have positive economic impact for Hamilton and the region, starting w...more

New appointment benefits business

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Opportunity Hamilton chief executive Sandra Perry has resigned from the economic development agency ...more

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. Hamilton will host the New Zealand round of the prestigious V8 Supercar Championship in the city for the fourth year in 2011. 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. Raglan is 40 minutes by road from Hamilton and home to one of the world’s longest left-hand surf breaks.