Common questions and comments we hear from our community
Council provides a huge range of services to our communities and that means we get a lot of questions. Some are straightforward, like how do we contact animal control, or what’s the hours for the library closest to me, or how do I apply for a rates rebate?
We also get questions and comments based on misunderstandings, or because people have seen or heard something from social media and wonder if it’s true.
It’s ridiculous we even have to say it, but our Council and the more-than-1000 staff who work for our city aren’t part of some massive secret global conspiracy to harm our community. We’re part of this community. We live here. We pay rates. Our kids play on the sports fields we provide. We drive on our roads, drink our water supply, use our playgrounds and community facilities, and pay the parking meters.
Like many organisations around the world, we’re facing issues with false or misleading information deliberately circulated by people to push their own agenda. Often this includes using some factual information to make untrue claims about “what it REALLY means.”
It’s concerning and harmful because these false claims can cause needless worry for people or lead them to make bad decisions. Thankfully, they are spread by relatively few people in our city, but they are spread across the country and globally and shared on local sites by groups or individuals using multiple profiles on social media.
Here’s a few common topics we get questions on.
Myth: Council is planning a 20-minute city to control where people can go
A 20-minute city is simply a planning concept that aims to make everday facilities and services closer to where people live - it has nothing to do with restricting movement or controlling where people can go.
Myth: Hamilton is following a global agenda set by outside organisations
This is a favourite of conspiracy posts because it's so wide-ranging and vague.
Myth: Council borrows against private homes and ratepayers' property
This one gets complex quickly but let's clear one thing up for a start: private homes are not mortgaged against council debt.
Myth: 'Sovereign citizens' don't have to follow New Zealand law or Council rules
Claiming you are a 'sovereign citizen' or using pseudo-law to challenge a Council charge or process is not going to remove any obligations to comply with the laws of New Zealand.
Myth: Water meters are being introduced to increase revenue or monitor residents
Iawai is trialling water meters to prepare for central government direction and support water conservation.
Myth: Council should do nothing about climate change
Council has identified 'failure to respond to climate change' as one of seven strategic risks that has the potential to impact our financial strategy or long-term plans.
Myth: Fluoridation makes Hamilton's drinking water unsafe
Hamilton's drinking water is safe and is continuously tested to ensure it stays that way.
Myth: Council never listens
Council always considers feedback, but decisions must account for all voices and the wider needs of the city.
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Last updated 29 January 2026