Hamilton City Council has purchased a 40,469m2 property on Brymer Road to enable an expansion of the city’s zoo and Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct.
The property, which is located next to Hamilton Zoo, includes one house and a large amount of undeveloped grass.
Decided by a unanimous Council vote in December last year, the purchase was funded through the Council’s Strategic Land Fund, with money available following the sale of a previous strategic land holding in Rototuna.
Council Chief Executive, Lance Vervoort said it was the first time the property had become available in more than three decades.
“Property is rarely more affordable than it is now and we might not have this opportunity again for a long time, if ever,” says Mr Vervoort.
He said the property will also allow for space for planned future development of habitats, especially for Hamilton Zoo’s southern white rhinoceroses (pictured).
“Not only is the property in the best location for access to hard-to-reach areas of the Zoo, having this property will allow us to save around $900,000 in efficiencies.”
“The planned and much‑needed Rhino management facility directly borders this property. Having this land gives us safer and more efficient access away from visitor areas, saving between $600,000 and $800,000 on that project alone.”
In the short-term, the house on the property will be secured and rented out, Council confirmed.
In the 2024/25 year, Hamilton Zoo recorded strong performance with 191,430 visitors and $3.6 million in revenue from admissions, retail sales, and donations.
