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. In the 2025 boundary review the Hamilton East electorate’s boundaries were unchanged from the 2020 review.