Busking zones hit the right note at Hamilton’s City Hall

Friday, 5 June 2026

Busking zones could be designated in Hamilton’s city centre as city leaders weigh changes to rules around trading in public.

The issue was debated at Thursday’s Hamilton City Council Community Committee meeting, where councillors heard submissions from opposite sides of the fence with buskers labelled an “untalented’’ nuisance by some but a potential tourist attraction by others during submission to the council’s Trading in Public Places hearings.

Hamilton East Village Market co-organiser Les Vuletich told councillors buskers had created challenges during market days, particularly when performers positioned themselves outside businesses that had agreements with market organisers.

He said complaints about noise and performance quality often came back to market organisers despite performers holding council-issued permits to busk.

Vuletich asked councillors to consider whether busking permits could be restricted during the market’s operating days, noting the volunteer-run market raises significant funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service.

At the other end of the debate, Creative Waikato chief executive Dr Jeremy Myall argued the city should be making it easier, not harder, for performers to activate public spaces.

“Buskers can be an active, vibrant and adaptable component of the life of the city,” he told councillors.

Pointing to the example of London’s South Bank, he suggested introducing designated busking locations.

He pointed to examples overseas where marked busking areas give performers certainty while reducing conflicts with businesses and pedestrians.

The concept was well-received by elected members.

Committee chair Emma Pike said busking zones and guidance for performers could help maintain quality while minimising impacts on surrounding businesses.

She noted Queenstown used buskers as “part of their city identity’’.

“Almost to the point of becoming a tourist attraction itself.’’

Others found the idea “exciting’’ and a good way to ‘’enliven’’ the city centre.

Andrew Bydder said the discussion showed the importance of finding the right balance between creating a vibrant city and avoiding unnecessary regulation.

“If we go down the track of over-regulating, not only are we going to create a huge amount of work and probably a whole lot of frustration, that might not solve the problem either,” he said.

Precisely how much talent one needs to perform in public, however, was not decided on the day.

Myall said busking should be seen as “street performance’’ with performers needing “a level of credibility’’ after Vuletich earlier noted many buskers ”unfortunately, are not very good singers’’.

However, councillors had little appetite for judging a New Zealand’s Got Talent-style audition to qualify for Hamilton City Council awarded busking permits.

“Having a system of auditions is not helpful,’’ Myall said.

The council received a total of 95 submissions following consultation over proposed minor amendments to its Trading in Public Places Bylaw and Policy. The changes are intended to improve clarity, consistency, and effectiveness, and to ensure the bylaw reflects current trading practices and community expectations.

Extending busking permits from six months to 12 months and allowing amplified sound during specified hours is one of seven minor alterations proposed.

Council staff will now prepare a deliberations report addressing councillors’ questions before the committee makes final decisions on the proposed policy changes in August.