Biggest, smallest and most rural: Waikato councils face merger challenge

Monday, 6 July 2026

Taupō District Council has the biggest land area of Waikato’s local authorities.

Taupō has the largest land area, Ōtorohanga has the fewest people per councillor, and Hamilton collects about 20 times more in rates than Ōtorohanga.

Despite their differences, Waikato councils will have to consider how they could combine under the Government's Simplifying Local Government programme.

A graphic showing Waikato's population by council area.

They’re on a deadline to set out their preferred options with the Government, which will decide for them if they don’t.

But there are big differences between Waikato’s 10 councils, according to figures prepared for Waikato District Council's Rural Engagement Advisory Panel.

They show the scale of the decision - the councils serve about 528,250 people across almost 24,904km² and generate about $36.2 billion in GDP.

Hamilton City has the largest population at about 192,100, followed by Waikato District with 91,100, while Ōtorohanga (10,700) and Waitomo (9950) are the smallest.

One of the differences between councils is how much they take in rates, as illustrated in this graph.

Size is another area of contrast.

Taupō District covers 6333km² - the largest land area in the region. Hamilton City has the smallest land area. And while about three-quarters of the region’s residents live in urban areas, they make up just 1.7% of the total land area.

Taupō is the biggest council by land area, and Hamilton the smallest.

The two councils with the biggest proportion of rural dwellers are Ōtorohanga (70%) and Waikato (58%).

And while Hamilton City is classed as 100% urban land, most other districts have only a sliver - from 3.6% in Waipā to 0.2% in Waitomo.

This table shows what Waikato councils own and owe, otherwise known as their assets and borrowings.

The ratio of population to councillors also varies sharply. Hamilton has an estimated 13,721 residents for every elected member, while Waikato District has 7008. At the other end of the scale, Ōtorohanga has 1189 residents per elected member and Waitomo 1658, giving those districts the highest level of representation.

The financial picture is equally varied.

Hamilton collects about $305m a year in rates, followed by Waikato District at $139.3m. Ōtorohanga collects $15m and Waitomo $23.4m. Across the 10 councils, total assets are about $21.9 billion and total borrowings are about $2.5 billion.

The figures also show operating expenditure exceeds operating income for every council in the Stats NZ dataset. Hamilton records operating income of $417.6 million and expenditure of $453.2 million, while Waikato District records $186.8 million in income and $209.4 million in expenditure.