Hamilton wins New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Large City award

Award-winning gardens, vibrant murals, clean streets, an improved kerbside collection service and the stunning Waikato River have seen Hamilton named New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Large City at this year’s Keep New Zealand Beautiful awards.

Presented via a virtual live stream on Thursday evening, the awards recognise and acknowledge towns, cities, community groups and businesses that are working hard to keep New Zealand beautiful.

In assessing the awards, judges were treated to a city-wide tour which showcased some of the city’s stunning infrastructure and parks. They also saw a video summarising why Hamilton deserved to take the win.

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said she was “thrilled” by the win, noting “we have a stunning city, I hear that a lot when I am hosting visitors and locals already know that’s the case.  

“It’s one of the reasons people choose to live in Hamilton. We have amazing green spaces like the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, destination playgrounds and our Hamilton Gardens – those things are all well known.”

“And it’s impossible to not love our beautiful awa, the Waikato River, which anchors our city and which we are finally beginning to celebrate.”

Mayor Southgate said Hamiltonians were “intensely proud” of their city, advising “this award belongs to all of us and that includes the people from Hamilton City Council as well as the dedicated community groups who work hard to make this a place where people thrive

“Council staff are on the ground every day sweeping leaves, planting trees, fixing potholes, removing graffiti, sowing flowers and much more. They not only keep our city running, they also keep it beautiful and I for one really appreciate that.”