I would love you to join my electorate team in Hamilton West. Please support both myself and the party and become a Member you'll receive more regular updates plus the chance to meet great Ministers who visit our great city – the best place to grow up and grow old in New Zealand.
Enjoyed visiting JP Marshall Engineering to hear about their steel fabricator and commercial and industrial engineering.
Based in Hamilton, Waitomo operate dozens of Fuel Stops and Diesel Stops.
Thanks to all the IT experts at The Base in Ham West helping fix our phones - appreciate your mahi.
Growing the economy
New Zealand’s economy continues to grow under National. GDP grew 0.8% during the first quarter of 2025.
We’ve still got a way to go but we’re moving in the right direction. Curbing wasteful spending has helped get inflation under control and now many families are seeing lower mortgage interest rates and rents stabilising. The Government is firmly focussed on reducing the cost of living.
Budget 2025
Economic growth and the cost of living are front and centre of this year’s Budget.
Despite global challenges, we’re staying the course – focusing on what we can control to support investment, create jobs, and grow the economy.
We’re investing more in the things that matter to our community: health, education, law and order, and targeted cost of living support – while keeping a firm grip on spending and bringing debt down.
New Zealand’s economy continues to grow under National. GDP grew by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2025, but there’s still more work to do.
Budget 2025 – Investment Boost
National’s Investment Boost allows a business to immediately deduct 20% of the cost of a new asset, on top of depreciation, meaning a much lower tax bill in the year of purchase.
I’ve heard great feedback from Hamilton businesses who say it’s already making a huge difference. This helps them invest in better productivity to support their business and also teammates.
Thanks to Dream Booster engineering in Frankton for inviting me in to see their mahi.
Always enjoy saying kia ora and doing some shopping at Frankton Market.
Well done to the team who’ve organised the National Indian Hockey Tournament for men and women here in Ham West this weekend. Awesome occasion!
Hamilton West – Kirikiriroa ki te Uru
Hamilton’s growing faster than anywhere else in the country, and I’m proud to be the MP for Hamilton West. Here’s an update on what’s been going on.
For the first time in 13 years, international flights are back at Hamilton Airport. The first flight from Sydney touched down to a buzzing terminal. This is great news for our city – around 100,000 more passengers a year and $45 million into the local economy. It’s great for growth.
Education Minister Erica Stanford was in town and we visited Mangakōtukutuku College. We met with the leadership team, teachers and students to hear firsthand about the challenges they’re facing and the opportunities ahead.
My Youth MP, Nydius Wilson, from Mangakōtukutuku College did an amazing job recently representing Hamilton West at Parliament. I was proud to support his effort. Ka pai Nydius.
Very excited to announce Hamilton's Youth MPs. Nydius Wilson a head student at Mangakōtukutuku College is representing Hamilton West, and Arden Morunga from St John's is the Youth MP for Hamilton East. Can't wait to see what they accomplish with the opportunity.
Health is improving
Over the next year, more than 215,000 elective procedures will be delivered – 21,000 more than previously planned. That’s more knees, hips, cataracts, and hernia repairs being delivered as part of National’s Elective Boost!
180 overseas-trained doctors have shown interest in a new Government-funded training programme, with the first 10 starting in Waikato this month.
A new air ambulance helicopter is boosting emergency response across Auckland, Northland and Waikato. It’s one of nine new aircraft being added to the national fleet in 2024/25 including in the Waikato.
Great catching up Hamilton East MP Ryan Hamilton along with Matthew Cooper and Shane from Sport Waikato recently. They're doing some awesome mahi as part of the big picture to get more people active.
Communications and media
I am often in the news for the mahi (work) I do. You can see a profile piece about me here in the Waikato Times, on 1 News delivering more social housing, or hear me here on Newstalk ZB talking about successful economic growth with Māori.
Hamilton Kirikiriroa is no longer the ram raid capital of New Zealand.
In Waikato, ram raids have dropped from 138 in 2022 to just one in April this year.
Violent crime, victimisations, and serious assaults are all down, and we’ve put more Police on the beat. You can see less boarded-up doors and windows in Hamilton dairies and businesses.
Our tough-on-crime approach is working.
Emergency housing numbers in Hamilton are dropping
On 31 March 2024 there were 465 households in emergency housing in Hamilton (573 adults and 540 children).
Thanks to a focused effort to support whānau into better, more stable homes, by 30 June 2025 that number had dropped to 111 households (135 adults and 93 children).
A big shift. A better outcome especially for kids. Proper housing can mean a world of difference for whānau in terms of improved health, stable education, and regular employment. It has also resulted in Ulster Street coming back to life.
Electorate Assistance
I'm always happy to help where I can. If you have an issue, you think we could help with, please get in touch.
If you have a business/ venture and would like me to visit, please let me know as I'm keen to know and learn more.
Hamilton Office:
109 Rostrevor Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204.
Phone 07 834 4070 or email tama.potakamp@parliament.govt.nz
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Kia kaha – we are doing some great things with people across Hamilton. From my whānau to yours, thank you all for your support and commitment.
Hon Tama Potaka | MP for Hamilton West