👋🏼 Hello Hamilton
Hi friends! Another big week in the Tron. I won’t keep ya for long - let’s get to it.
— Ben Woodgates
P.S. If this edition looks like it’s been cut off by your email provider, just tap “Read more” or '“View entire message” to see the full version. Or read it online here >
Ever heard of the WEL Energy Trust? Probably not.
But if you’re a electricity customer in the Waikato, and you’re enrolled to vote, may have spotted a letter from them in your mailbox this week - or you might see one arriving soon. 📫
Keep an eye out for a familiar name inside… 😉 I’ll say more next week.
📣 POLL: Who should benefit from profits generated by essential services like electricity networks?
Time to give Dinner Club a go? You take a quick quiz about your interests, food preferences, and what types of peeps you are looking to meet. We match you with five other Hello Hamilton Dinner Club Members based on those quiz results.
You’ll receive your invite a few days before the dinner and discover which restaurant your group will be dining at. And during dinner, everyone across town will receive a notification with the location of an afterparty to keep the good times rolling, if you’d like.
What’s happening this week?
Thursday, 4th June
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour | Thursday and Friday 6:30am - 10:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
The Banff World Tour celebrates amazing achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking worldwide.
🧩 Games Night | Thu 4th 5:00 - 7:00pm at Central Library.
A night for board game fans to come together and play!
Scaling the Scaffold panel discussion | Thu 4th 5:30pm at Weave Eatery.
Join NAWIC Waikato and unpack what career progression truly looks like for women in the construction industry.
👏🏻 Showquest | Thu 4th 6:30 - 9:00pm at BNZ Theatre.
A night celebrating creative rangatahi as they bring their ideas to life on stage.
🤩 Kiwi Yarns with Brodie Kane & Friends | Thu 4th 7:30 - 10:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Brodie Kane is the host of the award-winning podcast Kiwi Yarns, where she sits down with some of Aotearoa’s most interesting people for honest, no-frills conversations.
Friday, 5th June
Arbor Day | Fri 5th 10:00am - 1:30pm at Tauhara Park.
Join for the 22nd year of the Arbor Day planting, where the city council aims to plant 10,000 natives.
Fossil Fest | Fri 5th - Sun 7th 10:00am - 5:00pm at Waikato Museum.
Three days of hands-on discovery, expert talks, and ancient worlds.
🎀 Free Express Personal Styling | Fri 5th - Sun 7th 10:00am - 3:00pm at Centre Place.
Step into the Style Lounge and enjoy a complimentary 20-minute 1 on 1 styling session with professional stylist Coby Haimes.
Mid-Evening Mystery | Fri 5th 5:30 - 8:00pm at Hamilton Workingmen's Club.
Race through challenges as a team and collect clues… can you solve the mystery the fastest?
🎤 80's Super Band 'Love Shack' Live | Fri 5th 8:30 - 11:00pm at Last Place.
Round up your dance crew and join for the best night out in decades!!
Saturday, 6th June
Kirikirioa Marathon, Half and Relay Run | Sat 6th 8:00am at Hamilton Gardens.
Kirikiriroa Marathon is more than just a run, it is a celebration of community, wellbeing, and movement along the Te Awa River Path.
The Op Shop Car Boot Sale | Sat 6th 9:00am - 1:00pm at 15 Ruakura Road.
Stalls, food and drink including a sausage sizzle, barista coffee, and a bouncy castle!
🚀 3 Keys to Mastering Real Results | Sat 6th 11:30am at Rototuna Library.
Break through limiting beliefs, reconnect to your vision, and create real lasting results in this powerful 4-hour immersive workshop.
Nawamini 2026 | Sat 6th 5:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
The Nawamini cultural show, hosted by the Sri Lanka Friendship Society of Waikato features traditional dances, music, and theatrical acts.
🕵 Sip & Solve | Sat 6th 5:30 - 8:30pm at Hamilton Workingmen’s Club.
One twin is murdered. The other has been abducted. The lead detective? Missing. Now it’s up to YOU to solve the case.
AVIS Magic v Pulse | Sat 6th 7:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Don’t miss the action as Avis Magic take to the court for another electrifying season!
Gallagher Chiefs v Queensland Reds | Sat 6th 7:05pm at FMG Stadium. Gallagher Chiefs will be battling it out on the field against the Reds in their Qualifying Final.
🎸 Urupa w/ Crown the Heathen And Comorbid | Sat 6th 9:00pm at Last Place.
A night of thrash, death and deathcore.
Sunday, 7th June
Careers Expo | Sunday and Monday 10:00am at Claudelands Events Centre.
Talk face to face with the widest range of employers, industry, government departments, and training providers.
Country Music Club | Sun 7th 12:30pm at Hamilton Workingmen’s Club.
Happening the 1st Sunday of every month, come and enjoy a variety of country music.
🐲 Made Movie Club: How To Train Your Dragon | Sun 7th 3:30pm at Made.
For little film lovers, while parents can settle in nearby at the Mess Hall for drinks, snacks, or an early dinner.
Find events happening next week further down this edition.
Keeping you in the loop…
Hamilton City Council has confirmed a rise in admission to the Hamilton Gardens Enclosed Gardens for non-Hamilton residents. From 1 October 2026, entry will increase from $20 to $27.50, while Hamilton residents and children under 16 will continue to visit for free. More >
A proposed park-and-ride service for Waikato Hospital has received mixed reactions from local MPs, with one offering tentative support and another questioning its value. The idea could be trialled as early as next year to help ease parking pressure at the hospital. Read >
Newly appointed Dame Susan Hassall says she is deeply proud to have her role in education recognised after being named a Dame Companion in the King’s Birthday Honours. Hassall spent nearly 50 years in education, including decades leading Hamilton Boys' High School. Read >
The Government has confirmed $1.773 billion for the Waikato Expressway extension, saying congestion on one of New Zealand’s most important roads is costing the country. The project will extend the four-lane highway by 16km between Cambridge and Piarere and include a new interchange at Karāpiro Rd. Read >
Hillcrest Library is set to return better than ever, with a long-planned upgrade brought forward following a fire in an adjoining shop in August 2025. The project, estimated at $5–$7 million, will replace a more costly $16 million upgrade previously planned for 2029/2030. Read >
The future of a proposed $9 million fund to improve the health of the Waikato River is uncertain due to planned law changes. Hamilton City Council wants to charge new greenfield developments a one-off levy to help offset environmental impacts and support river restoration efforts. Read >
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What’s happening next week?
Wednesday, 10th June
Fieldays | Wed 10th - Sat 13th at Mystery Creek. Fieldays is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event and the ultimate launch platform for cutting-edge technology and innovation.
Thursday, 11th June
$5 Sale | Thu 11th - Sat 13th at 169 London St.
Dress For Success Hamilton is having its next $5 sale including gently used high-quality women’s clothes, accessories and shoes.
🎨 Behind the Practice | Thu 11th June - Sat 4th July 11:00am at The Meteor.
The exhibition brings together a range of artworks made by the staff of Arts for Health.
Hamilton Central Essential Toastmasters Club | Thu 11th 4:00pm at Central Library.
Practice your speaking and communication skills in a fun, welcoming and friendly environment.
📚 Book Launch - The Crash by Sally Wenley | Thu 11th 5:30pm at Poppies Bookshop.
Award-winning journalist, Sally Wenley, will talk about her life and her book. Please RSVP to [email protected] by Tue 9th.
🧩 Escape Room meets Pub Quiz | Thu 11th 6:30pm at Good George Dining Hall.
Pubbles have the goal of reconnecting people. One screen, your squad and an evening of social adventure!
Educating Rita | Thu 11th - Sat 13th 7:30pm at The Meteor.
Rita is a working class girl and is determined to learn everything there is to know about literature. Frank is a disillusioned and alcoholic lecturer. Watch as they turn each other’s lives around.
Friday, 12th June
😆 Comedy Zone with Justine Smith | Fri 12th 7:30pm at Skycity.
Get ready for a massive night of stand-up as Comedy Zone brings together some of New Zealand’s top comedy talent.
🎵 Unwanted Subject: Core In The Tron | Fri 12th 8:00pm at Last Place.
With their new EP, Reflections, making waves online, you won't want to miss these heavy anthems live, loud and in the flesh!
🤠 Rodeo Rodeo Party | Friday 12th 9:00pm - 3:00am at The Bank Bar.
A country western themed party featuring free mechanical bull rides, cowboy hats, country anthems, and cold Good George beer and cocktails all night long.
Saturday, 13th June
Global Wellness Day | Sat 13th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Kythara Collective.
Sip herbal tea, discover natural scents and look at treatments & wellness.
Manu Mātātahi Ki Te Ao | Sat 13th 7:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
A youth-driven barbershop chorus who took the National 2025 Barbershop NZ competition by storm.
Sunday, 14th June
🎶 TEST (Brazil) NZ Tour | Sun 14th 2:00pm at Mesoverse.
This band has established itself as one of the most inventive names in the Brazilian alternative scene.
That’s all for now folk. Thanks for your support, and I’ll see you out there.
— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
