Hamilton City Council — First Meeting Resolutions
RESOLUTION 1: Refugee Settlement and Community Integration
That the Council recognises the humanitarian leadership demonstrated through Hamilton’s commitment to receiving its part of NZ 1,500 refugees annually from 10 nations, and directs staff to:
- Review existing community infrastructure and support services,
- Include a refugee integration lens in the next update of the Long-Term Plan (LTP), and
- Collaborate with central government for co-funding of culturally appropriate housing and wraparound services.
RESOLUTION 2: Library Card as Civic Equity Tool
That the Council investigates the legal and financial implications of recognising the Library Card as a symbolic access pass to civic ownership and participation, including:
- Public consultation on this model,
- Development of an equity framework tied to Council services,
- Exploration of how library access relates to digital inclusion and economic participation.
RESOLUTION 3: Council Debt and Interest Strategy
That the Council requests a full report from the Chief Financial Officer on:
- Annual interest payments on the $1.3 billion Council debt,
- Options for freezing or restructuring interest liabilities,
- A public savings model to deliver a projected 24% reduction in ratepayer costs.
RESOLUTION 4: Community Ownership of Financial Infrastructure
That the Council:
- Notes that the "Bank of Hamilton" and similar financial entities currently fall outside Council legislation,
- Directs the CEO to explore a public discussion paper on establishing a community-owned civic finance entity,
- Advocates with central government to consider reforming legislation to allow local investment vehicles.
RESOLUTION 5: Emergency Housing and Social Wellbeing
That the Council:
- Urges central government to fulfil its responsibilities in providing housing and shelter to vulnerable citizens in Hamilton,
- Calls for urgent review of the availability and management of Hubs and shelters,
- Seeks a formal joint working group with MSD and Kāinga Ora.
RESOLUTION 6: Long-Term Community Plan (LTP) Framework Refresh
That the Council:
- Initiates the early engagement phase of the 2027 LTP,
- Reviews and revalidates the Community Outcomes in light of changing social, economic, and climate realities,
- Recommits to genuine public engagement in the asset management planning process.
RESOLUTION 7: Transitioning Hamilton to ‘Destination City’
That the Council:
- Launches a strategic review of the "Destination Hamilton" framework,
- Integrates economic development, tourism, cultural identity, and sustainable urban design into one holistic strategy,
- Partners with mana whenua and residents to define Hamilton’s future city identity.
RESOLUTION 8: Localised Circular Economy Model
That the Council:
- Initiates a pilot programme supporting circular economy practices within local businesses (e.g., laundromats, co-ops),
- Works with partners to reduce the cost of living and improve access to shared essential infrastructure,
- Advocates for greater local retention of economic flows currently leaving Hamilton (~$500M/year to foreign banks).
RESOLUTION 9: Infrastructure Equity & Service Continuity
That the Council:
- Directs the CEO to conduct a service continuity risk assessment, with a focus on core services (sanitation, roads, waste),
- Includes a breakdown of how Council’s 1,400 staff contribute to operational delivery,
- Explores cost efficiencies and technology solutions to maintain services without disproportionate rate increases.
RESOLUTION 10: Global Civic Perspective
That the Council:
- Acknowledges Hamilton’s role as a local government in a globally connected world of 9 billion people,
- Commits to learning from best practices in urban governance, sustainability, and social innovation,
- Supports initiatives that reflect interdependence, including refugee resettlement, fair finance, and localised resilience.