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Whaia te pae tawhiti kia tata, whaia te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina.
At Love the Centre, we're committed to fostering a vibrant business community in Hamilton Central. Whether you're an established local favourite or a newcomer with big dreams, we're here to support your success and help you connect with the pulse of our city.
Sign up to the City Centre Newsletter below to stay up to date on all that is happening in the city centre.
Joining the HCBA opens doors to a wealth of resources and networking opportunities. Enhance your business visibility and connect with like-minded professionals in the Hamilton community.
networking opportunities
01.
Connect with local businesses and expand your professional network through exclusive events.
marketing resources
02.
Access valuable marketing tools and material to elevate your business strategy.
Advocacy
03.
We represent your interests to local government and wider regional stakeholders.
Connection
04.
Connect with like-minded professionals and share insights to drive success together.
Exclusive Perks
05.
Enjoy discounts, promotional opportunities, and event opportunities.
stay informed
06.
Receive the latest news and updates that impact your business and the community.
Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab, powered by Deloitte, is a practical eight-week programme designed especially for wāhine founders and women-led startups or small businesses.
Combining online learning with in-person expert-led sessions, the Growth Lab will guide participants through the essentials of starting, managing, and growing a business - from financial foundations to marketing and strategy.
Participants will join a supportive community of like-minded wāhine and gain valuable tools to accelerate growth. The programme concludes with a Pitch Night, where participants can showcase their business and compete for a $2,000 cash prize.
We're turning 21! Join us on the 5th of Feb to celebrate the occasion.
Click here for details and to book
Unfurnished room for hire/rent upstairs at Fastlane Fitness. Ideal for businesses in the health and fitness industry
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Every Wed-Fri 4pm-6pm, you can play a round of mini golf for just $5 per person. All you need is at least one person in your group who works for a central city business to get the deal for everyone!
Email the team at Tipsy Putt to verify your workplace and make a booking ->> info@tipsyputt.co.nz
Running a small business in today’s climate means wearing too many hats, too often. From HR headaches and payroll glitches to compliance challenges and the pressure of day-to-day operations, it’s all too easy to get bogged down in the business, rather than working on your vision. We know how draining it is to chase your tail—when evenings and weekends disappear and you’re struggling for time, clarity, and support.
That’s where Pivotal People comes in. We’re a Waikato-based team specialising in practical, plain-English business support made for New Zealand Small businesses just like yours. Our mission is to remove the pain points that keep you awake—so you can gain time, control, and enjoy the fruits of your hard work.
No need to juggle multiple providers: with Pivotal People, you get business advice, coaching, HR, health & safety, payroll, accounting, admin, marketing, website development, graphic design, and training—all under one roof. By understanding your business inside and out, we offer solutions tailored to your unique journey—whether you seek a trusted ongoing partner or just one-off, “fix it now” support.
Interactive workshops focused on the Universal Wellbeing Model and the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool. These workshops will provide hands-on training, insights into universal wellbeing practices, and guidance on using digital wellbeing tools effectively. Stay tuned for dates and special early bird pricing—don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and skills!
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Soda has created an online Business Fundamentals platform with short courses to help aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners succeed.
These short online courses provide the necessary tools and frameworks to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners through all the steps of being a business owner.
Each course features videos of real founders and experts sharing valuable advice, downloadable check lists and templates, step-by-step instructions and practical guidance.
Topics include:
Your Business Vision & Goals
From Idea to Marketing: Problem Solving, Validation & Customer Fit
Crafting Your Unique Brand Story & Competitive Edge
Money Matters: Getting to Grips with Financials
Marketing & Sales: Building Connections that Drive Growth
Legal, Compliance & Future Planning
Prices start at just $49 per course or $245 for all six courses.
Use discount code HCBA20 to receive 20% off the bundle.
Great things happen when people come together! The Gathering at The Crate is your opportunity to network and meet inspiring professionals, share ideas, and spark collaborations in a casual and welcoming space.
What to Expect:
Gain fresh insights and valuable learning opportunities.
Connect with a community of like-minded professionals.
Build meaningful relationships in a collaborative and inspiring space.
Enjoy drinks, delicious nibbles, and conversations that will help take your business to new heights!
The incredible Helen Corban, a networking powerhouse will be hosting each week. With over 30 years of experience in business, training, and coaching, Helen will share her expertise and empower you to maximize your productivity and grow your business.
Bring your friends, colleagues, or anyone who’d love to be part of Hamilton’s vibrant new networking scene!
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 4:30 - 5:30 PM
Venue: The Crate Hamilton
Email registrations to eshloe@thecrate.co.nz
https://thecrate.co.nz/hamilton/overview
Access valuable insights into Hamilton Central's economic trends, visitor patterns, and business performance. Our reports provide the data you need to make informed decisions and seize opportunities.
View reports
Unlock a wealth of tools, guides, and materials designed to help your business thrive in Hamilton Central. For more information contact our team, we've got you covered.
Access resources
Tax debt is increasing for businesses around the country. Now is the time to make sure your business is on top of things...
Economic uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis have meant businesses across New Zealand have been doing it tough in recent times.
Inland Revenue says that around two thirds of all tax debt is owed by small business, sole traders and contractors.
As at June 2025 $3.3b was owing for GST – which is 15% higher than June 2024 whilst $2.0b was owing in Employer taxes which is 34% higher than in June 2024.
A significant portion of this is PAYE and GST, which should simply be passed on to Inland Revenue, so more work is being done now to get that money collected.
Inland Revenue has also significantly increased its investigations and auditing, focusing on those actively trying to avoid their taxes. These actions are sometimes prompted by tip-offs from various sources.
If you or your business are facing challenges with tax debt, it’s important to reach out to Inland Revenue early. Addressing the issue promptly can help you avoid further penalties and interest.
There are a range of options to help:
Inland Revenue has published easy to understand advice to help you get it right -https://www.ird.govt.nz/pages/campaigns/get-it-right
If you are newly in business check out Inland Revenues Free Business Seminars – available In-person and online across the country. Topics include: an Introduction to Business, GST, and Employers. You can book into a seminar on their website. https://www.ird.govt.nz
You can use your myIR account to make a payment by selecting the ‘Make a payment’ link for each overdue tax type, or go to https://www.ird.govt.nz/managing-my-tax/make-a-payment
And you can set up an instalment arrangement if you’re unable to pay the full amount: https://www.ird.govt.nz/managing-my-tax/make-a-payment/ways-of-paying/instalment-arrangements. You can also use myIR for this.
If you need to talk with Inland Revenue about your overdue returns or debt you can contact them by sending a message in MyIR or call on 0800 587 244.
Waikato shoppers had the tills ringing to the tune of $343 million in November, nearly four per cent higher than last year.
3.8% above the year earlier figure, according to data from card spending bean counters Worldline NZ.
According data from card spending agency Worldline NZ, Waikato’s 3.8 per cent increase made it one of only three of 18 locations that saw rises in spending. Others were West Coast up 6.3% to $32 million, 5.4% in Whanganui to $55 million and a 5% climb in Otago to $254 million.
The Waikato year-on-year rise also outstripped the nationwide figure of 1.1% to $4.1 billion.
When it comes to total November card spending, only three locations saw more money change hands than Waikato; Auckland/Northland at $1.5 billion, Canterbury at $502 million and Wellington - just - at $344 million.
Corporate Sponsorship Package We have a unique opportunity to partner with us and promote your business directly to our customer base. The partnership will boost your brand, logo and products as well as showing your support for the arts right in the heart of the inner city. This is a unique opportunity to gain a presence in a very special inner-city space with ALWAYS ON marketing activity. For more information contact ross@cathaycinemas.co.nz
Inner City Workers Special Lido Cinema Hamilton has an exciting offer for all inner-city workers looking for after work activities. We have a great after work offer at a fantastic price that your company's staff can access. For more information again please contact ross@cathaycinemas.co.nz for more information.
It’s part of a project to spruce up the central city, which the council says “needs some love”.
New street furniture is also popping up along the main street, and further work will include lighting, a clean for pavers and tables, and getting rid of dead trees, Hamilton City Council says.
The Hood St light poles need repairs to keep them going, Operate and Maintain unit director Tania Hermann said in a statement.
“We are sanding and painting the poles which we expect to extend their life by 20 years and which is a more affordable option than full replacement.”
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