Hamilton City Council is proposing increasing the price of entry into the enclosed Hamilton Gardens for non-residents.
If implemented, the price of entry would rise to $27.50 to anyone aged over 16 living outside of Hamilton. This is a 37.5% increase from the $20 paid entry fee introduced in September 2024. The enclosed Gardens would remain free for residents and ratepayers, as well as under 16s. The wider Gardens will also remain free to all.
With the reduction of domestic visitors factored in, the entry fee increase is expected to increase Hamilton City Council’s revenue by $550,000 to $900,000 per year. The increase in entry fees would mean Hamiltonians footing less of the bill for non-ratepaying visitors, and council spending being allocated towards other public services.
Unfortunately for domestic tourists, non-ratepaying visitors includes those living in nearby towns, towns as close as Ngāruawāhia and Te Awamutu. The increased entry fee may be affordable for international tourists, but not necessarily for other New Zealanders.
An alternative could be to implement a separate entry fee for international and domestic tourists. For example, the Auckland Museum is free for Auckland residents and paid for international tourists. All other New Zealanders are encouraged to make donations – a similar system could work for the Hamilton Gardens.
Hamilton City Council is currently looking for feedback on the proposal. Whether you feel incredibly strongly either way, or you think the solution is somewhere in the middle, you have until the 3rd of May to have your say.
