Setting the Stage in Hamilton

Managing Venues Masterfully to Bring First Class Events to the Region

When it comes to delivering unforgettable event experiences in New Zealand, H3 Group has emerged as a standout force in the events sector, celebrated for its ingenuity, community-driven approach, and consistently delivering world-class experiences. As a key division of Hamilton City Council, H3 plays a vital role in driving regional growth through economic development and cultural celebration. 

Hamilton’s Geographic Advantage

“Hamilton is New Zealand’s fourth largest city, home to just over 190,000 residents,” explains Ben Slatter, Director of Operations at H3 Group. “We’re just over an hour south of Auckland and within driving distance of nearly half of New Zealand’s population. That centralised location is a major advantage, and we use it to attract and deliver exceptional event experiences that showcase Hamilton’s premier venues.”

H3 manages four key venues: Claudelands Events Centre, FMG Stadium Waikato, Seddon Park, and the Pavilion at the Hamilton Gardens. “Across those venues, we have over 40 bookable spaces and host more than 700 events annually,” Slatter shares. “From intimate board meetings to stadium events that draw 25,000 people, we welcome over half a million visitors each year.”

Flexibility Meets Functionality

What truly sets H3 apart is its ability to adapt, accommodate, and elevate its offerings. Claudelands Events Centre, for example, is situated on 34 hectares of parkland in the centre of Hamilton and features an arena, a four-star conference centre, and a 10,000-square-metre exhibition space. “It’s like three venues in one,” says Slatter. “It’s quite unique to have that much green space around a venue while being right in the city centre. The building is designed with flexible, modular spaces that we tailor to our clients’ needs.”

Slatter emphasizes H3’s full-service approach. “We provide wraparound support for our clients, from catering and audiovisual to logistics. Event planning can be stressful, so our role is to alleviate that pressure and ensure everything runs smoothly. That applies across all our venues.”

Principles in Practice

H3’s seamless event experience is built on three guiding principles: dedicated hosts, tight teams, and a commitment to being the best in the business. These foundational values are deeply ingrained in the organization’s daily operations, ensuring consistency and excellence across every touchpoint.

“We act as dedicated hosts,” Slatter explains. “We care about each event and go the extra mile to make sure it leaves a lasting impression. Whether it’s a major conference or a small local meeting, we treat every event with equal importance and attention. Our tight-knit teams work with a kind and collaborative attitude across departments—it’s something our clients consistently praise. That cohesion and care are part of what makes the H3 experience truly unique.”

He continues, “And we strive to be the best in the business. That means we never compromise on quality, we lead with innovation, and we’re always looking for ways to improve. Whether it’s refining our internal processes, investing in training, or adopting new technologies, we stay proactive. These principles have been with us for over 13 years, and they continue to guide our success. They aren’t just words on a wall—they’re lived by our entire team every day.”

Smart Systems and Seamless Experiences

“Events have changed dramatically in recent years. We’ve invested heavily in our technology infrastructure,” Slatter says. “We built a stable network backbone across all our venues, so clients can expect the same seamless experience whether they’re at Claudelands or FMG Stadium Waikato. It’s all about ensuring a consistently high standard of service, no matter where or when an event takes place.”

This includes everything from high-speed Wi-Fi and live streaming capabilities to networked control rooms for real-time event monitoring and coordination during large-scale gatherings. “We don’t outsource our tech support,” notes Slatter. “Our in-house technology team manages it all, using platforms like Momentus to coordinate bookings and operations. It gives us more control, minimizes downtime, and lets us respond quickly to client needs. Having that in-house expertise also allows us to continuously refine our systems, making sure we’re not just keeping up with industry standards—we’re setting them.”

Cultural Respect

H3’s approach is deeply rooted in the local culture and environment, which is one of the aspects that makes its venues uniquely meaningful. “New Zealand has a rich Māori heritage, and that’s very present here in Hamilton,” Slatter says. “The Māori Queen resides in this region, and that cultural influence is woven into our architecture, especially at Claudelands. We occupy land with deep Māori significance, and we honour that in how we operate.” This respect is not only symbolic but is reflected in the way H3 interacts with the community, integrates traditional design elements, and maintains meaningful relationships with iwi.

The natural beauty of Hamilton also plays a significant role in shaping H3’s identity. “We sit on prime green space, and we take the responsibility of preserving that very seriously,” says Slatter. “New Zealand is known for its clean, green image, and we want our venues to reflect that.” The lush surroundings aren’t just a scenic backdrop; they’re a point of pride and a testament to our environmental commitment. Maintaining the 34 hectares of parkland at Claudelands, for example, is as much about preserving a natural legacy as it is about providing guests with a serene and inspiring environment.

Sustainability in Action

Sustainability is not just a feature of H3’s operations; it’s a defining value that shapes both long-term strategy and day-to-day practices. “It’s not a goal or a focus area—it’s part of who we are,” says Slatter. “From how we manage waste and energy to our partnerships and purchasing, sustainability is embedded in every part of the business. We don’t see it as a box to tick—we see it as a responsibility that informs every decision we make.”

At Claudelands, for example, rainwater is harvested for toilet flushing, thereby reducing demand on municipal water supplies. Additionally, stormwater overflows are carefully managed and directed into an on-site wetland, designed to protect the surrounding environment. “Our catering partner, Montana Food and Events, uses rescued bread—bread that couldn’t be sold in stores—which is turned back into flour and used for scones and muffins. It’s a great example of sustainable thinking in action,” Slatter adds. “It’s these small but intentional actions that add up to make a big difference. We’re constantly looking for new ways to reduce our footprint while maintaining the highest quality for our guests.”

Trusted Partnerships that Deliver

Montana Food and Events is one of several longstanding partners integral to H3’s success. “They’ve been with us since we opened in 2011,” Slatter says. “Food is a critical part of any event, and they get it right every time. They’re New Zealand’s largest independent catering company, and their creativity and reliability are unmatched.”

Other key partners include Vidcom New Zealand for audiovisual needs, Red Badge for security, Spotless for facilities management, and Ticketek for public event ticketing. “These aren’t just vendors,” says Slatter. “They share our guiding principles and are part of the H3 family.”

Enriching the Community

As a council-owned entity, H3 prioritizes social responsibility. “The ratepayers of Hamilton own these assets,” Slatter notes. “So, it’s important that we give back.”

Each year, H3 sponsors four major events that benefit the local community. These include the Hospice Waikato and Montana Food and Events Bucket List Banquet, which raised over half a million dollars in a single night for specialist palliative care services for individuals with life-limiting or terminal illnesses in the Waikato region. the Sport Waikato Awards, celebrating regional athletes, coaches and local sports heroes; The Kudos Science Trust Awards, a science awards dinner acknowledging educators, scientists, and innovators who are embracing technology and using it to advance our understanding of the world around us. ; and the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. “These events celebrate the best of our community, and we’re proud to host and support them,” Slatter says.

Tackling Workforce Challenges

While H3 continues to grow its impact, staffing remains an ongoing challenge, particularly when it comes to recruiting temporary workers for roles in security and ushering. “Our biggest issue right now is the workforce,” Slatter admits.

To address this, H3 is collaborating with partners like Red Badge to reach younger demographics. “We’re looking at how we can work with schools to make event careers more visible,” Slatter explains. “This industry is often behind the scenes, so we need to create pathways that show it’s a viable, exciting option.”

A Bright and Growing Future

Looking ahead, the future appears full of opportunity. “Hamilton is one of the fastest-growing cities in New Zealand,” Slatter says. “We have three new hotels being built and direct international flights from Sydney and the Gold Coast now coming into Hamilton. That opens the door for us to tap into the Australian market and attract even more business events.”

He adds, “After COVID, we saw how much people want to be face-to-face again. Events are more valuable than ever, and we’re ready to meet that demand. With the growth in infrastructure and continued investment in our team and technology, we’re well-positioned for the future.”

At a Glance

Who: h3 Group

What: Hamilton City Council’s event management division, overseeing major venues and delivering events across Waikato.

Where: Hamilton, New Zealand

Website: www.h3group.co.nz

PREFERRED VENDORS/PARTNERS