Council investment and governance
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism receives its core investment from four councils under a three-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) covering 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027. The councils are Hamilton City, Waipā District, Waikato District and Matamata-Piako District. The tourism industry also contributes through membership and joint campaign investment.
Who invests in HWT?
Under the SLA, the four councils jointly contract HWT to deliver regional tourism services for their districts. Council investment for the 2025/26 financial year was $1,155,488 in total, as set out in the SLA schedule.
Council, 2025/26 investment (excl. GST), Commitment in the SLA
Hamilton City Council, $733,786
Waipā District Council, $146,702
Matamata-Piako District Council, $125,000
Waikato District Council, $150,000
Industry investment supports specific campaigns and activities. The 2025/26 target for industry contribution was $149,000. HWT also secures central government investment for specific programmes, such as the Regional Tourism Boost fund ($459,250) and the Thermal Explorer Regional Events Fund.
What do councils get for their investment?
Councils invest in a set of regional tourism services agreed each year in a Schedule of Services. These cover destination marketing, digital marketing, business events, industry capability building, major events and stakeholder relationships. The SLA describes HWT's purpose as promoting and developing the region as an attractive destination for visitors and business events, to grow visitor expenditure and provide sustainable economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to local communities.
This reflects how New Zealand's tourism system is set up. The Government's Tourism Policy Statement (June 2026) gives local government the lead on domestic destination marketing and destination management, and notes in many regions councils invest in RTOs to deliver these roles. Central government leads international marketing through Tourism New Zealand and decides how national tourism investment is deployed.
How is HWT held accountable?
We report to our council partners against agreed deliverables and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Under the SLA:
a Local Authority Representative Committee, with one representative from each council and HWT's General Manager, meets at least twice a year to review progress against KPIs
each March we present a draft Schedule of Services for the next financial year, and councils have one month to comment
the final Schedule of Services is delivered by 30 June each year, for the year ahead
we report in writing every six months on performance, deliverables, KPIs and current or anticipated issues
monthly key statistics are available to council representatives on request.
KPIs cover areas such as commercial accommodation market share, domestic visitor spend market share, business events market share, media hosting and operator capability support. Members can view progress against Shareholder and council-approved KPIs in the Member Portal.
Who owns and governs HWT?
HWT is a limited company, wholly owned by Waikato Regional Airport Ltd (WRAL). An independent board of directors, appointed by WRAL for their skills, experience and ability to represent the region's interests, sets HWT's strategic direction.
Can a council change its investment?
Yes. Each council may review its investment commitment annually. The SLA requires a council considering withdrawal to act reasonably and consult HWT and the other council partners first. The parties then review the agreement to reduce HWT's obligations in line with any reduction in investment. Remaining councils are not obliged to make up another council's share. See what this means in practice.