👋🏼 Hello Hamilton
Welcome to spring! 🌱
Have you heard of Welcoming Week? It returns to Hamilton from tomorrow, with a programme of activities celebrating the many cultures and communities here.
This year’s theme is Together we belong, and there’ll be plenty of ways to get involved, including dance and music performances, kapa haka, food stalls, and more. Check out the full programme >
Have a great week, and I’ll see ya out there.
— Ben
P.S. If this edition ends abruptly, some of it may’ve been chopped off by your email provider! Read this full letter on the web instead >
What’s happening this weekend?
Thursday, 3rd September
🤔 Quiz Night | Thu 3rd 6:00pm at The Wayward Pigeon.
Join NAWIC Waikato and NZIQS / QSEP for a night of general knowledge, laughs, banter, and networking.
🕺 Beats By Bingo | Thu 3rd 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
A night of musical bingo featuring throw-back jams, sing-alongs, seat dancing and prize-winning.
🍿 'Lomu' Movie Night | Thu 3rd 7:00pm at Lido Cinema.
Experience the complications, tragedies & successes in the life of rugby superstar Jonah Lomu.
🎶 Mel Parsons - Castle Hill Album Release Tour | Thu 3rd 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Expect soaring harmonies, a dynamic live show, and a feel-good vibe.
Friday, 4th September
🐞 Marvelous Mini-Beasts | Fri 4th 5:30pm at Waikato Museum.
For this after-hours Public Talk, join science communicator and behavioural ecologist Connal McLean for an entertaining and insightful evening exploring the incredible world of bugs.
🤘 Elton vs Billy NZ Tribute | Fri 4th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Two piano rock legends face each other for an ultimate showdown in Elton John vs Billy Joel tribute show.
Saturday, 5th September
🌿 Monthly Plant Sale | Sat 5th 9:30am - 1:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Shop an assortment of house plants and more.
⭐️ Welcoming Manaaki Village | Sat 5th 10:00am - 3:00pm at Claudelands.
A Kaifusion Experience celebrating Hamilton's cultural diversity featuring kapa haka, cultural entertainment, community displays, agencies and food.
🕰️ Antique and Collectables Fair | Saturday and Sunday 10:00am at Woodlands Estate.
A wonderful array of antiques and collectables.
🌸 Botanical Watercolour Workshop | Sat 5th 10:30am - 4:00pm at The Sculpture Park.
Join artist Sandra Morris as she shares her skill and love of capturing new growth in nature in watercolour.
👗 My Walk in Wardrobe | Sat 5th 11:00am - 4:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Fashion Fest - a celebration of sustainable fashion, community and self-expression.
🍧 Melo Opening Day | Sat 5th 12:00pm at 5b Casabella Lane.
Check out Hamilton’s newest dessert bar where you can swirl, mix, and enjoy your dessert exactly the way you like it.
🏉 FPC – Waikato vs Auckland | Sat 5th 4:35pm at FMG Stadium.
The 2026 Farah Palmer Cup season gets underway at FMG Stadium Waikato, with Waitomo Waikato hosting the Auckland Storm in Round 2.
🏉 NPC – Waikato vs Canterbury | Sat 5th 7:10pm at FMG Stadium.
Expect a proper NPC atmosphere as two proud rugby regions go head-to-head.
GIVEAWAY: Keen to head to the rugby double-header at FMG Stadium on Saturday? Reply to this letter with who you’d bring with you for the chance to win free a family pass. Winners drawn tonight, thanks to H3 Group.
🎸 Queen Forever | Sat 5th 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Queen Forever celebrates 20 years with their Greatest Hits Tour – 20th Anniversary, the ultimate tribute to rock’s most iconic band.
🎶 Noise Night | Sat 5th 8:30pm at Nivara Lounge.
Control Theory will be hitting the stage alongside Snake Oil Peddlers, Gravity Road, Empress and Taken to the Woodshed for a massive night of live music.
Sunday, 6th September
🏃♂️ Sunday Run and Walk | Sun 6th 8:00am at Olive Cafe.
Join this Father’s Day for a walk or run along the river path.
🏎️ Hampton Downs Father’s Day Special | Sun 6th at Hampton Downs.
Book Dad a V8 U Drive Experience on 6 September and he'll receive a free Go Kart Race.
🧩 Dad’s Go Free! | Sun 6th at Confinement Escape Rooms.
Enjoy an Escape Room or Scavenger hunt. USE CODE: dad26.
🎤 Harmony Waikato Rhapsody | Sun 6th 2:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Join for an unforgettable celebration of barbershop harmony featuring some of the Waikato region’s finest singers and ensembles.
🕯️ Candlelight: Ed Sheeran & Coldplay | Sun 6th 6:30pm at St Peter’s Cathedral.
Discover the music of Ed Sheeran Meets Coldplay under the gentle glow of candlelight. This is a tribute concert experience.
After a big night in Rototuna last week - over 100 Hamiltonians meeting across three great restaurants - I’ve been busy booking in the next one.
We’re back in the city in September, and you can book your seat now!
The dinner bell will ring at 6:00pm on Thursday 24th September. 🛎️
Hello Hamilton East, I’m your Member of Parliament 👋🏼
Hello Hamilton costs hundreds of dollar to produce every week.
This sponsored spot helps keep Hamilton free for all.
What’s on next week?
Monday, 7th September
📚 The Book Nook | Mon 7th 10:30am at Dinsdale Library.
Happening every month, share and discuss your latest reads, swap recommendations for new favourites, and have some lively book chats!
Wednesday, 9th September
🏡 First Home Head Start | Wednesday 9th 6:30pm at Lodge Real Estate.
Everything you need to know about buying your first home, all in one place! Hear from industry experts, mortgage brokers, builders, lawyers and real estate agents.
Thursday, 10th September
👗 Dress for Success $5 Sale | Thu 10th - Sat 12th at 169 London Street.
Gently used high-quality women’s clothes, accessories and shoes will all be $5.
🧥 Thrifty Threads | Thu 10th - Sat 12th 2:00pm at The Meteor.
Three days of secondhand style, sustainable fashion and serious bargain hunting.
Friday, 11th September
🪴 Hamilton Gardens Behind the Scenes Tour | Fri 11th 9:00am at Hamilton Gardens.
These guided tours offer a unique opportunity to gain insider knowledge about the Gardens and explore the work that happens beyond the visitor experience.
🙌 Woven Together - Welcome Week | Fri 11th 5:00pm at 46G Boundary Road.
For Hamilton Youth aged 12-24 years old! An evening of games, socialising and food to celebrate our beautiful ethnic communities here in Hamilton.
🎭 Trust the Process | Friday and Saturday 7:00pm at Waikato University.
‘Trust the Process’ is an original, one act play written by Oliver Vahey Bourne.
🎵 Friday Live | Fri 11th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
A three band extravaganza! D’feks, Hugo and the Hurricanes and The Bobby Holidays.
🎶 Strung Out – NZ Tour | Fri 11th 8:00pm at Last Place Bar.
Sticky Fingaz is proud to present Fat Wreck Mainstays Celebrating their classic LP Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues and other hits from their 35 year career.
Saturday, 12th September
🧩 Convergence 2026 | Saturday and Sunday 8:30am at Distinction Hotel Te Rapa.
The Waikato Role-Playing Guild’s biggest event of the year.
🌱 Hamilton Bonsai Show | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Hamilton Gardens Pavilion.
Showcasing some of NZ’s best bonsai, this is the largest annual bonsai show in NZ.
🪡 Monthly Mending & Repair Meet | Saturday 12th 9:30am at Riverbank Lane.
Learn practical sewing skills to repair, alter, and extend the life of your clothing and other household textile items.
🍾 50th National Bottle Show | Saturday and Sunday at Claudelands Events Centre.
Featuring a range of bottles on display, including vintage, historical, and collectible pieces.
🎵 Soft Bait – NZ Tour | Sat 12th 8:00pm at Last Place Bar.
Known for their loud, energetic live shows, Soft Bait will bring songs from Life Advice, earlier favourites, and a glimpse of what’s next.
🎸 Metadeth | Sat 12th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
Metadeth is a Metallica/Megadeth Tribute covering their thrashing years, coming in for an evening of metal with opening guests Neural Deday.
Sunday, 13th September
🚗 Annual All Ford Day Display & Swap Meet | Sun 13th 8:00am - 4:00pm at Claudelands.
People's choice - Best, Australian, European, American, Commercial Vintage & FPV, Competition, Club & Hotrod.
🎾 Love Tennis Open Day | Sun 13th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Eastlink Community Hub.
With activities for all ages, including coaching sessions and court play, mini games, giveaways, BBQ’s and much, much more, there are so many reasons to come along and give tennis a go.
🛍️ Market and Club Open Day | Sun 13th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Glenview Club.
Indoor and outdoor market, car boot sale. and check out what Glenview Club has to offer.
Don’t forget about Father’s Day on Sunday!
— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
