Business start-up support and help

If you are thinking about starting a business in New Zealand, there is no better place than Hamilton.

New Zealanders are known throughout the world for their ingenuity and the people of Hamilton are no exception.

Opportunity Hamilton can support you in becoming another of our business success stories.

We have a range of programmes and resources to help you get started on the right foot with your new venture.

Opportunity Hamilton helped Ciane Lawrey of Ginger start her business through the Be Your Own Boss programme. She sells her clothing through Inspirit Gallery.

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