Hamilton East (New Zealand electorate)

Hamilton East is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It is currently held by David Bennett MP of the National Party.

Since the 1969 election, the number of electorates in the South Island was fixed at 25, with continued faster population growth in the North Island leading to an increase in the number of general electorates. There were 84 electorates for the 1969 election, and the 1972 electoral redistribution saw three additional general seats created for the North Island, bringing the total number of electorates to 87. Together with increased urbanisation in Christchurch and Nelson, the changes proved very disruptive to existing electorates. In the South Island, three electorates were abolished, and three electorates were newly created. In the North Island, five electorates were abolished, two electorates were recreated, and six electorates were newly created (including Hamilton East).

The earlier Hamilton electorate dates from 1922. In 1969 Hamilton West was split off; that electorate initially extended to the west coast. In 1972 the additional electorate of Hamilton East was created, and Hamilton was abolished.

The electorate is mainly urban, and covers the eastern part of the city of Hamilton. The Waikato River divides the city in half and forms the boundary between the Hamilton East and Hamilton West electorates. Only one other electorate borders Hamilton East, the rural electorate of Waikato to the east.

Hamilton East includes the suburbs of Rototuna, Flagstaff, Queenwood, Chedworth Park, Fairfield, Fairview Downs, Enderley, Claudelands, Hamilton East, Hillcrest, Silverdale and Riverlea.

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