Boutiques on Barton: Hamilton street’s future could be a one-way fashion destination

Thursday, 18 June 2026

NES Boutique store owner Kate Harris pitched more angle parking for Barton St and wants the area ‘livened up’ given it’ll be in full view for Pullman hotel guests.

Barton St could become one-way to boost car-parking and transform it into the city’s first “destination street’’.

Barton St tenant and NES Boutique owner Kate Harris has been the driving force behind the idea, now picked up by Hamilton City Council for official consideration.

Guests at the new Pullman Hotel will get a good look at Barton Street.

Harris pitched the idea of angled parking and a one-way system to Councillor Sarah Thomson, who encouraged her to present it to fellow councillors at a public forum.

Initially, it was just an idea to increase car park numbers and to get more foot-traffic through the doors but she also wants to see the street “livened up’’, noting it will be the first thing guests at the new Pullman Hotel will see from their windows overlooking the street.

A one-way system and angled parks would help achieve her passion for a clothing or fashion precinct, along the lines of Christchurch city centre.

Parlour boutique clothing store owner Ali Moffitt supports moves to make Barton St a boutique destination precinct. ‘We don't really have one, we need one.’

“I really hope it goes ahead, from a long-term perspective,’’ she said.

Neighbouring businesses are also “keen to see some life being put into the street’’, and thought angle parking could achieve that, she said.

Retailers want more car parks on Barton St

Parlour boutique lifestyle store-owner Ali Moffitt set up in Barton St just six months ago and is also keen on the idea of a boutique destination zone, along similar lines to Newmarket in Auckland.

“When I looked at the lease, I kind of thought to myself, I would love for this place to be like a destination area in Hamilton, particularly because we don't really have one, we need one.

Could Barton St become a one way street?

“The angled parks would bring more traffic in. It would definitely help us as a business. We do share that same goal of wanting it to become like a boutique precinct.’’

Hamilton City Council’s City Delivery Committee chairperson Sarah Thomson sees merits in the idea.

The council’s looking at whether a new arrangement could add 15 or more car parks, and also whether the speed limit should drop.

“There's a really good foundation for a fashion retail destination street here in Hamilton, with exciting opportunities with the hotel opening in the future, which will further solidify it as a real retail destination.’’

Thomson is keen for the council to land on “something that works’’ but it also needs to deliver enough parks that it would be worthwhile spending money on.

Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor, always on the look-out to increase parking opportunities in the city centre, is also interested to see what staff come back with.

“I think it's really important to get more, more on-street car parks, and I want to take every opportunity that we can, especially in the central areas of the CBD, such as Barton Street.’’

Harris’ one-way idea gained traction after a recent HCC consultation over a new road layout incorporating both angled and parallel parks on the existing two-way street. The conclusion was that it would not be worthwhile because it wouldn’t add enough new car parks.

An HCC spokesperson confirmed the area will be consulted on as part of the Central City Parking Review process, which is considering parking across the entire CBD.

“For Barton Street, this includes exploring the potential to make Barton Street a one-way road, the impact of angle parking to provide no fewer than 15 additional car park spaces, and a possible reduction in the speed limit to 20kph.’’

The findings will be presented to the Transport Subcommittee on November 10.

Other retailers the Waikato Times spoke to were interested in the idea, but still more focused on the need for parking to be two hours free, whether the street was one-way or not.