Hamilton

As of May 2026, Hamilton, Cambridge, Raglan have 810 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 8% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Hamilton generates NZ$36K per year. High-performing properties earn NZ$75K/year, while low-performing properties earn NZ$12K/year. This wide revenue spread, despite an 8% contraction in total supply, suggests that top-tier listings are capturing a disproportionate share of demand while underperforming assets struggle to maintain viability.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Hamilton. Average annual revenue is NZ$36K with 41% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to NZ$75K/year. The fact that the top performers double the average revenue indicates that market success is heavily skewed toward a small segment of listings capable of maintaining occupancy despite the broader 8% revenue decline.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Hamilton is 41%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of NZ$250, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of NZ$66 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Hamilton, with annual revenue of NZ$70K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Hamilton market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Hamilton area. Hamilton: Moderate. Resource consent required for non-hosted STRs, complaints-based enforcement. Some hosts operate without consent. Cambridge: Lenient. Minimal specific STR regulations, general bylaw compliance expected. Light enforcement, largely complaint-driven. Raglan: Lenient. No specific STR regulations beyond general property rules. Minimal enforcement, community concern about housing impact but limited action. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Hamilton Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 8% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 8%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. This simultaneous contraction suggests the market is naturally shedding excess capacity as revenue pressure persists, preventing an oversupply crisis while keeping utilization rates stagnant.

Launch around October, 2-3 months before peak winter season (January peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -31% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Hamilton listings include: Kitchen (98%), Tv (93%), Heating (86%), Air Conditioning (82%), Washing Machine (76%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Washing Machine, Bbq, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 60% more (NZ$82K/year vs NZ$51K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Hamilton over the last 12 months: May: NZ$1K, June: NZ$2K, July: NZ$2K, August: NZ$1K, September: NZ$2K, October: NZ$2K, November: NZ$2K, December: NZ$2K, January: NZ$3K, February: NZ$2K, March: NZ$2K, April: NZ$2K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Hamilton is NZ$250, up 13% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average NZ$157/night, 2-bedroom properties average NZ$222/night, 3-bedroom properties average NZ$298/night, 4+ bedroom properties average NZ$493/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Hamilton book an average of 31 days in advance, down 21% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 35 days, 4+ bedroom: 31 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Hamilton Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 8%, revenue per listing decreased 8%, occupancy fell 14%, average nightly rates increased 13%, and lead time decreased 21%. These metrics reveal a market responding to lower occupancy by raising rates, which has likely compressed demand and shortened booking windows.

In Hamilton, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 22% higher occupancy than weekdays.