Graeme Mead Hamilton West City Councillor

29/08/2026

How much should a metal outdoor seat cost?
Not the base, not any other costs, just the seat..
Its metal, powder coated, just an outdoor seat.
Theres a few of them around the city.
It costs one and half times of the average rates paid for one home in Hamilton.
$6000...and that doesnt include the new ground works and staff costs.
That's my rates from MY house for the next 18 months, gone on a seat.
When I requested information, multiple times on the Garden Place new seats and other purchase costs that information has been "placed on hold" and I'm still waiting, months later.. its hard to stop future spending, when you cant find out some simple current costs being paid.

27/08/2026

A couple of weeks ago, the majority of elected councilors voted to halt the large spend on Peachgrove Road and cut it back by $3.8 million.
That was a big decision, but a necessary one in my eyes.
We have to contain spending wherever we can, and this year’s Long Term Plan is going to be crucial for setting the direction of the city.
Part of today's discussion was about leasing several Council owned community buildings.
Many of us wanted to defer those leases to the Long Term Plan in 6 weeks or so, so we could look at all community facilities together, as one complete process.
A lot of us were elected on commitments to debt reduction and spending control.
Today, I found myself on the other side of the majority when it came to voting in new lease holders for 3 of those Council owned venues. That’s exactly why we have a voting system, when the votes are counted, the majority decision is what stands. That’s how democracy works, and I’m fine with that. The debates were strong, respectful and worthwhile. But here’s the concern for me, with these new leases comes a potential $1.9 million spend on renewal work for 2 of the sites. That’s not small lose change. We need to work out what is essential, what can be staged, and how we keep spending disciplined while still looking after the assets our communities rely on.
This is the balance we have to strike, responsible spending, clear priorities, and transparency around the costs that come with our decisions.
Im not sure if we hit the mark on the money today, but that's democracy but I'll make sure theres a procurement investigation into every dollar spent.

19/08/2026

Today’s vote to retain STV or FPP wasn’t a win or a loss, it was simply the reality of making a decision without the level of public feedback we needed. The debate was solid, but whichever way it went, it was always going to split opinion. The last two weeks of emails and texts made one thing very clear: our community is divided, for every call i got demanding FPP, I received just as many on STV. It was a completely no win for anyone. And certainly not a celebration.
In 2028, the community finally gets to decide between FPP and STV. That’s the right place for this decision to sit. And if amalgamations go ahead, we may be forced into FPP anyway or we may not. There’s uncertainty everywhere.That’s what made today difficult. I had to vote without a clear picture of what Hamilton actually wants. When you’re elected to represent people, making a call without solid community direction is the hardest part of the job. But the poll in 2028 will give us an answer, a real one, from the people who live here. That’s where this decision belongs.
So to get a real result everyone needs to get out and vote, its now up to you.

14/08/2026

It been a week of some achievements and some disappointments.
The achievement was being able to still get the traffic signalled crossing on Peachgrove Road approved, the main safety element is being delivered and we cut the budget back by $3.8 million. But my journey doesnt stop there, every future project will be scrutinised and costed given our financial position.
We have to get to more money coming in than going out, and I dont think there will be the level of subsidy support from NZTA any more. So, better procurement means better value for money purchasing and spending. This is the money you and me pay in rates and costs.
On a sadder note we had our last transport committee meeting, the committee structure has changed and it is incorporated in the new restructure.
Will miss the 11pm phone calls with Mesh Macdonald for Hamilton City Council to go through the agenda and make sure we have covered every page.
This week I had some of my values, principles and intergrity questioned.
I took that badly, and my resolve has hardened. I am only elected to council for one term. Then the community get to vote for councilors again.. what I actually achieve will be my own guage of what I did and if I stand again, yours to judge me by.

An elected city councilor for the Hamilton West of Hamilton.

14/08/2026

Swimming Waikato had their awards evening last week at St Pauls. I really appreciate the opportunity to MC the event each year.
To see the swimmers and the most wonderful support they get from their families and friends and the staff and board from swimming waikato, the sport is thriving. We are still desperately short of swimming pools too.
The water safety programes they convene are really helping our communities.

13/08/2026

Congratulations to Henleys Bar in Cook Street on their opening.
Superb views of the river and great location too.
Good to see the investment in our city.

07/08/2026

I suppose I get to ask all the questions that align to my role in procurement. If the detailed costs arent in the agenda documentation then I will ask for them. I suppose I'm being hard on staff with these questions, but if the whole costs arent available, I will ask for them.
These are on work being carried out now , so I know good process was followed.
Garden Place.
4th Aùg 2026

06/08/2026

Today’s Council meeting delivered some important clarity and some necessary discipline.
On the Headstart-Backstop amalgamation, my view was straight forward today, after a couple of months of direction change in the outcomes. I initially supported Headstart, but the goalposts kept shifting, and we were being pushed toward partnership arrangements without full, open, or consistent information. In my opinion, that’s not acceptable for Hamilton, and it’s not how good governance should operate. I also want to state my personal view clearly.
I believe the Government has made a mistake in disestablishing the Regional Council. In my opinion, regional councils play a crucial role in protecting rivers, wetlands, coastlines, and the wider environment. They provide oversight that cities alone cannot replicate. Removing that layer makes transparent decision‑making even more important and reinforces why I voted for Backstop today.
I cant justify commitments without transparency, cost clarity, and genuine citywide consultation. Right now, there is no clear amalgamation pathway that benefits Hamilton, but if future amalgamation ever becomes part of the conversation, it must be done properly, openly, with full information, and with every community voice heard.

We also made a significant call on Peachgrove Road. We heard some wonderful submissions( both for and against) and several community members spoke both today and in earlier sessions, thoughtful, passionate, and genuinely invested in safety and good outcomes for their neighbourhood. Their input mattered and I wish there was more input from the community at our council meetings and responses to consultation requests. The elected Council members including me, rejected the projected $4M option, choosing instead a more sensible, staged approach beginning with a signalised pedestrian crossing. This crossing will be fully overseen and valued checked by the Chair and Deputy Chair of Procurement and the Chair of Finance.
Safety absolutely matters, but so does the reality that ratepayers cannot keep absorbing escalating costs while Council carries heavy debt. Today’s decision reflects managed spending, practical sequencing and solid future planning. This is not to say that the full development may not be brought back to Council but not in this current financial environment.
To me, that signals a growing commitment to responsible investment, transparent process, and respect for the people who pay the bills.
In my opinion, Hamilton deserves decisions that are steady, honest, and financially grounded. Today was a huge step in that direction and me, personally delivering some the things I spoke of during the election campaign.

06/08/2026

First part of the council meeting completed..
Headstart or Backstop, the council has voted 11 to 4 to run with Backstop and not be forced into amalgamations that have no real plan of costs, assests, structure and most importantly what is happening with the regional council functions and the iwi responsibilities for the region