Waikato District Council is working with Hamilton City Council and the Local Government Commission on a proposal to change the boundary between the two councils.
The proposal is about an area called R2 which is on the northern edge of Hamilton, between Gordonton Road, Pukeroa Road, and the Waikato Expressway.
The proposal is to move the R2 area from Waikato district into Hamilton’s boundary.
The goal is to make sure growing communities get the services they need from the council best placed to provide them. It also helps both councils plan for growth across the wider Waikato region.
Waikato District Council and Hamilton City Council are working together to explore whether R2 should move into Hamilton.
This is the start of a formal process led jointly by Waikato District Council and Hamilton City Council working alongside the Local Government Commission.
No decisions have been made yet. Nothing is changing right now.
If you live in, own, or have land in the R2 area, it’s normal to have questions about what might happen.
At this stage:
If the boundary change is approved, in future it could mean:
If this happens, both councils will work together to make sure the change is well planned and fair. We will share information early and keep landowners and residents updated.
Waikato District Council and Hamilton City Council have a Strategic Boundary Agreements (SBA).
This agreement identifies areas that may move into Hamilton over time as the city grows. They also provide a way to consider other nearby areas in the future.
Both councils are focused on:
In 2024, central government introduced the Fast-track Approvals Act.
This law allows some major development and infrastructure projects to move ahead faster and under a different planning process – one managed by central government, not local councils. Some of these fast-track projects are happening near Hamilton’s boundary.
These developments are large and will likely rely on Hamilton’s services and infrastructure. That means both councils need to plan ahead together.
A boundary change could help both councils plan and deliver infrastructure in a fair and coordinated way.
For Waikato District Council, this work is about planning for growth in a way that supports people and communities.
We are working with our partners to:
This process could take up to two years.
The team is currently working towards a possible change date of 1 July 2027, if the proposal is approved. This helps both councils plan ahead.
This is the start of the process. Nothing is changing yet.
There will be further work by both councils and the Local Government Commission. There will also be opportunities for landowners and the wider community to have their say before any decision is made.
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