ROSEMARY ABBOTT | National
WAIKATO WIPEOUT
In today’s highly anticipated Budget 2025 announcement, Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed that absolutely no funding has been allocated to promote Hamilton as a tourist destination — not even a couple of bucks for a pamphlet.
“Look, I’m not going to sit here and pretend Hamilton is some sort of hidden gem,” said Willis.
“It’s not hidden. It’s just… there. And it’s certainly not a gem,” said Willis, now even more resolute that Hamilton will be getting zero dollars in her 2025 Budget.
Despite pressure from local MPs to fund a campaign encouraging both domestic and international tourists to “Give Hamilton A Go”, the Finance Minister was again firm.
“Let’s be honest, most New Zealanders only go to Hamilton when they’ve accidentally missed the turnoff to Raglan or if their team from out of town is playing against the Chiefs,” she added.
“I’m not going to be putting the hard earned dollars of New Zealanders into promoting a city, that well, I’m not really sure what’s actually there,” said Willis, pondering whether some council buildings and a river was it for the city.
Willis later revealed to the Whakataki Times that $8 million had instead been set aside for a new nationwide campaign encouraging tourists to simply “go to Queenstown again.”
Self-proclaimed “Hambassadors” Steve Holloway and Seamus Marten, also hosts of the Between Two Beers podcast were contacted, but were reportedly too distraught about the funding snub to comment.
More to come.
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