Happy Thursday, Kirikiriroa!

It’s basically Friday!! Just gotta get through today friends, then the glorious long-weekend will arrive. Hoping the easter bunny visits you this year. And me.🤞🏼

Did you survive all the April Fools tricks yesterday? My social media feed was full of them! Hear about the new cheap petrol station at Hamilton Lake, fuelled off lake bacteria? Ha ha.

I can hardly believe it’s April already. I don’t know where the time has gone. There’s a lot going on this month. I’ve got a good mix for you today, so let’s not waste any time. Enjoy.

— Ben Woodgates

p.s. This is a big one. If this email looks like it’s been cut off, click “Read more” to see the full message, or read online here >

We’ve teamed up with the delicious people at Reggie’s (that new, cool, fun place in Hamilton East) to throw our next Dinner Club night - a community gathering of Hamiltonians!

A unique social dining experience at Reggie’s on 29 April. Three generous courses, served feasting-style, with a table of soon-to-be friends. 🍝🍕

Reggie’s iconic pizzas and pastas landing in the middle of the table, plus breads, sides, bites, and a proper dessert to finish. How good? 😋

You’ll be seated with a group of fellow Hamiltonians, and surrounded by other dinner clubbers! We’re taking over the restaurant.

And I’ll be hosting the night, keeping the vibes high as we all enjoy some delightful food, make some new friends, and try something new together! There also might be a giveaway or two. Maybe a quiz or something. Who knows - we’ll see.

🗺️ Have you got your hands on a Hamilton Map yet? You know, that art piece we’re selling so you can show off Hamilton in your home? Go on, get amongst it. Grab one >

🫵🏼 I’m looking for great local partners. You know how you're reading this right now? So are thousands of other Hamiltonians. Wouldn't it be awesome to get your business or event in front of thousands and thousands and thousands of people right here in Kirikiriroa? Let’s talk >

🤝 Join me as Hello Hamilton grows! I’m thinking about growing the Hello Hamilton team to support our mission of building the greatest community in Kirikiriroa Hamilton? A re you good at something? Are you passionate about Hamilton? Keen to help us out somehow? Put your hand up >

🤔 Been sitting on a cool project or event idea? I’m on the look out for the next great thing in Hamilton. We’ve got the platform, time, resources, and connections to get great ideas off the ground. Fun event, product or service idea? Tell me about it >

Exhibition for Ali | From Thu 2nd at Framing House.
Local artists have come together to support Alister Selliman during cancer treatment.

Hamilton Roadrunners: Bring a Friend Night | Thu 2nd 5:30pm at Hamilton Lake.
A relaxed social run or walk - first Thursday of each month. Get amongst it! 🏃

Kirikiriroa Hardcore Vol7 | Thu 2nd 7:00pm at Mesoverse.
Local and international hardcore acts, including Stagnance (Canada). How good.

Easter Live and Local Session | Thu 2nd 7:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
Local bands kicking off the Easter weekend. Choice. 🎶

Easter Art Event | Fri 3rd 10:00am–5:00pm at Good News Community Centre.
Interactive Easter artworks, displays, and activities by local artists. Lovely. 🐣

The Giant Samurai Waterslide | Fri 3rd to Mon 6th all day at The Base.
A 13m, four-lane waterslide for all ages. Sounds fun!

The Greatest Story Told | Fri 3rd & Sun 5th 6:00pm at Potters House.
An Easter musical inspired by The Greatest Showman. 🎭

Escapist Easter Egg Hunt | Fri 3rd - Sun 5th 6:00pm at Escapist Escape Rooms.
Find (and eat) hidden Easter eggs if you escape. Epic!

The Op Shop Car Boot Sale | Sat 4th 9:00am-1:00pm in Ruakura.
Stalls, food, coffee, and family activities.

The Great Made Easter Egg Hunt | Sat 4th 9:30am at Made.
Little explorers are invited to search for secret tokens and swap them for Easter treats.

Circus in the Centre | Sat 4th 10:00am-noon at Garden Place.
Free, hands-on circus fun for families. A great freebie! 🎪

Hamilton Fireworks Eid Celebration | Sat 4th 3:00-10:00pm at Innes Common.
Food, markets, kids’ activities, and fireworks. 🎆

Super Rugby - Gallagher Chiefs vs Waratahs | Sat 4th 7:05pm at FMG Stadium.
A big home game under the lights. It’s our year!

Hamilton Farmers' Markets | Sun 5th 8:00am-noon at Gate 3 Claudelands.
Support local and do your weekly fresh shopping and have a coffee. 🥬

Easter Family Fun Day | Sun 5th 12:00-5:00pm at The Keg Room.
Games, bouncy castle, and $10 wood-fired pizzas. Sounds like a good time.

Social Improv | Sun 5th 7:00pm at The Meteor.
A welcoming improv session to build confidence and skills. Give it a go?

School Holiday Marvellous Magic | From Mon 6th all day at Chartwell.
Daily live magic shows and interactive workshops with magician Andy Kean. 🪄

The Tronbots Experience | Tues and Weds 10:00am at Chartwell Library.
Hands-on session exploring combat robotics and battle bot design. 🤖

Family Quiz | Tue 7th 6:30pm at The Wayward Pigeon.
Fast-paced quiz night for kids aged 7–12. Bring the fam!

Paint and Wine Night - Cute Bunny | Tue 7th 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
No experience needed — just paint and relax. 🎨

School Holiday Pottery Workshop | Thu 9th 9:00am-3:00pm at Waikato Society of Potters.
Full-day creative workshop for kids. That’ll keep them busy.

Pride Zine Workshops | Thu 9th 3:00pm at Glenview Library.
Create your own zine to celebrate Pride Month. Awesome. 🏳️‍🌈

CMNZ Series: Symposium Brass | Thu 9th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
A blend of orchestral precision and jazz energy. Great listening. 🎺

Waypeople Album Release Tour | Thu 9th 8:30pm at Nivara Lounge.
Contemporary jazz from leading Aotearoa musicians.

Community Day on the Park | Fri 10th 11:00am-2:00pm at Claudelands Park.
Local stalls, entertainment, and free giveaways. Hoping for good weather. ☀️

Twilight Wine and Cheese | Fri 10th 5:00-8:00pm at The Sculpture Park.
Relaxed evening with local food, wine, and nature. Delightful.🍷

Counterculture Mag Release Show | Fri 10th 7:00pm at Mesoverse.
Heavy live music plus Counterculture vol. 1 launch.

Pride After Dark | Fri 10th 7:00pm at Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club.
High-energy Pride Month kickoff. 🌈

Michael Morris & The Sonic Boom | Fri 10th 8:00pm at Last Place.
Double album release show!

Kaitiaki Ki o Rahi | Sat 11th 10:00am at Rototuna Library.
Learn and play a fast-paced traditional Māori sport. It’s fun!

Andre Vegas Family Fun Magic & Illusion Show | Sat 11th at Riverlea Theatre.
Magic, comedy, and audience interaction for all ages. 🔮

New Zealand Hungama 2026 | Sat 11th 4:00-10:00pm at Claudelands.
A vibrant multicultural celebration of music, dance, and food.

Htown Hu$tle 2 | Sat 11th 8:00pm at Last Place.
A stacked night of local underground talent. 🎵

Oceania Qualifiers Semi-Finals | Sun 12th 12:00 & 4:00pm at FMG Stadium.
International football clashes on the road to World Cup qualification. ⚽️

Fresh Hop Festival ’26 | Sat 18th at Good George Dining Hall, Frankton.
It’s Good George Brewing's celebration of the freshest beers you’ll ever taste. 🍺

♻️ Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in Hamilton will run as normal over Easter and Anzac Day. Put your bins out by 7am on your usual collection day!

🎟️ Hamilton City Council is considering increasing entry fees at Hamilton Gardens after the attraction generated $2.59 million over the past six months. The strong result follows the introduction of a $20 fee for non-Hamilton residents in September 2024. Read >

🥜 The new “peanut-about” intersection is taking shape. It’s expected to improve safety at one of the city’s most dangerous junctions, replacing the crash-prone Morrinsville, Silverdale and Matangi roads intersection. Read >

💧 Hamilton City Council has paused fluoridation of the city’s drinking water for up to three weeks while it changes fluoride stocks and carries out scheduled maintenance. The pause comes after the supplier identified differences in the chemical composition of a recent delivery that could lead to increased corrosion in storage facilities. Read >

🚧 Work begins next Tuesday on a $1.3 million safety upgrade at the Ulster St and Maeroa Rd intersection, a notorious accident hotspot. The project will install new traffic signals and signalised pedestrian crossings on the northern and western approaches, Hamilton City Council says. Read >

Told you there’s a lot going on.

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See you out there!

— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake