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Business Development Resources & Economic Statistics on Relocation to Hamilton

There is a wide range of reports and statistics available from various local and national organisations, which detail economic information useful to existing Hamilton businesses and companies researching our city as a business location.

Click on a link below to learn more about our city and region.

  • Hamilton City Council Annual Report
  • Economic Development Strategy for Hamilton City
  • Full Waikato Region economic report authored by the Waikato Management School
  • Hamilton Residents Survey
  • Hamilton Quarterly Review: Statistics New Zealand
  • Hamilton Economic Update by Hamilton City Council
  • Quality of Life in New Zealand, NZ's Largest Cities
  • Quarterly Regional Labour Market update
  • Regional Economic Bulletin
  • Waikato Labour Market Areas March 2009

    • Resources

    There are a wide range of resources available which detail useful information to assist Hamilton businesses grow and thrive.

    Click on a link below to learn more.

  • TechNZ
    Work underway on new business R&D products.
    After the Government announced its $234m support for business R&D to help grow the economy, the Foundation is now working to bring two new investment products to market. A technology development grant for R&D intensive firms and a voucher to link businesses with research organisations are planned to open for applications in October and November respectively.

    • Please read our fact sheets to learn more about TechNZ and the two new investment products.

    New funding to support business R&D (PDF; 93kb)
    Technology Development Grant (PDF; 99kb)
    Technology Development Voucher (PDF; 99kb)
    Overview TechNZ support (PDF; 103kb)

  • Labour Market Activities in the Central Waikato A-Z Directory
    This document compiled by Hamilton Skills Action Group gives a brief overview of labour market activities currently occurring in the Central Waikato area that aim to solve skill and labour shortages. As per the 2003 Central Waikato Economic Development Strategy, Central Waikato is considered to include Hamilton City, Waipa and Waikato Districts.
  • Idea to Impact
    This booklet is designed for SMEs and explains how R&D can benefit businesses and where firms can get assistance with their R&D plans. It includes case studies of 11 New Zealand SMEs that have successfully used R&D to create products and services.
  • IRD Tool for Business
    This has been put together for the IRD by The Small Business Company. You may find this of assistance.
  • Business Toolbox. STATISTICS NZ RELEASES TOOL FOR BUSINESSES
    Statistics New Zealand has just released the Business Toolbox, a free suite of online tools that provide quick and easy access to information for businesses. The Business Toolbox contains two tools:
  • Market Mapper – businesses can visually pinpoint their target markets using 2006 Census data.
  • Industry Profiler – provides details on industry performance over time, staff turnover, and survival of similar-sized businesses.
  • The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Business site, provides an enormous range of information, resources and tools aimed at ways businesses can save money and improve energy efficiency.

    • Resources for Growing Companies

    Opportunity Hamilton has a range of tools, documents, plans and programmes for download that can help you grow your business.

    Self Assessment of your Business
    Complete the New Zealand Business Assessment tool.

    Take a Free Business Health Check
    Take this quick survey designed to be the start of an ongoing process of achieving best practice in your business. Plus, receive advice and resources based on your answers.

    Business Diagnostic
    This self analysis diagnostic tool will give you invaluable insights into the many areas of your business. By completing this tool you will have the opportunity to look at the key performance areas within your business and seek the assistance you require.

    How is Your Business Progressing?
    For a quick health check answer these 15 questions.

    Affordable Marketing Tips
    Seven Marketing Strategies that won't break the bank.

    How Good is Your Idea?
    Before preparing a comprehensive business plan complete a basic start-up Business Plan to see if your idea has potential.

    Are You Looking for an Investor?
    Tips to help structure your business plan to convince a potential investor that your business is viable, you are the right person to run it and it is absolutely worth putting money into.

    What do Business Terms mean in Plain Language?
    Frequently used Business Terms explained in plain language, e.g. assets, book value, drawings, working capital, etc.

    Is Your Business Idea viable?
    Preparing a Cashflow Spreadsheet will assist you in determining the viability of your business idea.

    Business Resources for Start Ups

    Opportunity Hamilton has a range of tools, documents, plans and programmes for download that can help you start-up your business. If you don’t see what you need here, contact us to see how we can help.

    Give Yourself the Best Chance of Success
    Answer these 40 Questions to find out if you are suited or prepared for the challenges of starting a business.

    Are You Ready to Launch?
    Answer these Ten Questions and you have already got the basis of a business plan.

    What Do You Need to Consider?
    Follow the Step by Step Flowchart to guide you through the various stages of the preparation process.

    How Good is Your Idea?
    Before preparing a comprehensive business plan complete a basic start-up Business Plan to see if your idea has potential.

    Are You Looking for an Investor?
    Tips to help structure your business plan to convince a potential investor that your business is viable, you are the right person to run it and it is absolutely worth putting money into.

    Is Your Business Idea Viable?
    Preparing a Cashflow Spreadsheet will assist you in determining the viability of your business idea.

    What do Business Terms mean in Plain Language?
    Frequently used Business Terms explained in plain language, e.g. assets, book value, drawings, working capital, etc.
     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.  Hamilton hosted the New Zealand round of the prestigious V8 Supercar Championship in the city for the second year in 2009. 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.