The number of transport-focused businesses that have a significant presence in Hamilton and the wider Waikato region is growing all the time.
Multispares recently opened a new branch in Te Rapa, while Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ) moved to a new and improved facility focusing on heavy vehicles in January, up the road from its previous site, also in Te Rapa.
Other established operators in Te Rapa include Gough Group, TRT and CAL Isuzu.
Meanwhile, the Ports of Auckland’s new Waikato Freight Hub at Horotiu, set to open in the first half of 2019, is also a boost to the area.
Hamilton mayor Andrew King says work is under way to make the city easy to get around for transport industry operators.
“The Hamilton bypass that is under construction will relieve some of the internal pressure we are facing on our local roads and increase the accessibility of Hamilton for freight and business.
“However, this is only addressing transport links to the east and south-east of the city.
Hamilton’s west and links south to Taranaki are also in need of development.
“Council continues to lobby for the Southern Links development that creates a western bypass for the city and increase accessibility to the Taranaki and King Country regions.
“Hamilton is a growth focused city that understands that good transport connections are key to business prosperity.
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The city is also working closely with Waikato-Tainui on its development of the inland port to solidify Hamilton’s place as a key point in the golden triangle, King says.
Waikato District Council mayor Allan Sanson says a strong freight and logistics sector is key to supporting the region’s growth.
“Waikato is New Zealand’s second fastest growing region after Auckland.
It makes up the heart of the ‘Golden Triangle’ bounded by Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, and our region is a major contributor to national export earnings which continue to be dominated by our primary industries.
“This hub will support our existing export industries as well as providing an opportunity for more local businesses to grow and be successful on the international stage.
“We are also pleased that when fully complete, the freight hub is expected to generate around 300 jobs directly in our district and facilitate many more across the region by acting as an economic catalyst,” Sanson says.
Wholesale milk powder supplier Open Country Dairy has signed on as the hub’s first customer.
“Strategically the new Waikato hub will allow us to continue our export growth while lowering our costs and environmental footprint through greater use of rail,” OCD chief executive Steve Koekemoer says.
