Hello again! Thanks for coming back to Hello Hamilton. I’ve got heaps in here today - I hope you like it.

I was looking back at some stats from April and dannnng - our social media stuff was seen 1,450,000 times. We reached 320,000 people last month! Crazy! And we’re almost at 10k followers on Instagram! Let’s keep spreading the Good News of Hamilton.

Enjoy, and see ya out there. 👀

— 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 >

Our next Dinner Club night is locked in! Keen to make some new friends?

On Tuesday 26th May from 6:00pm, we’ll be bringing together small groups of personality-matched Hamiltonians for an evening of good food and fun conversation at restaurants across Hamilton. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and designed to make meeting new people feel easy!

Been considering taking a step of courage, getting out there, and meeting some new people? Here’s the perfect opportunity to give it a go. Go on, you know you wanna.

Latest Artpost Exhibitions | Until Sat 9th 9:00am at Artpost Galleries.
On until 9 May at Artspost. A Marked Land. Eclection, The End of the Line and Studio Stories.

🎼 Resurgence - New Zealand Symphony Orchestra | Fri 8th 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Music Director Emeritus James Judd and the NZSO perform.

Rock Tenors - Anthems Reloaded Tour | Fri 8th 7:30 at Clarence St Theatre.
A seismic surge of power, nostalgia, and pure ‘ROCK’manship.

🎶 Noah Nite - Get What I'm Given Single Release Tour | Fri 8th 8:30pm at Last Place.
Tamaki-based Noah Nite are playing their first show in Hamilton. 

🔋 Recycling and E-waste Drop-off Day | Sat 9th 8:00am - 1:00pm at Beetham Park.
Just drive through and drop off selected items for free.

Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest 2026 | Sat 9th 10:00am - 3:00pm at Central Library. Full of comics, collage, fan-art, photo essays and more, Zines draw inspiration from anywhere and everywhere. 

🏎️ Revcon | Sat 9th 12:00 - 8:00pm at Claudelands.
A brand-new era in automotive lifestyle culture - immersive twilight experience.

Waikato Historical Society Monthly Meeting | Sat 9th 1:30pm at YWCA. Come see the guest speaker. Prospective new members welcome.

Journey Back Through The Fossil Finds Exhibition | Every Saturday 2:00pm at Waikato Museum.
Step back millions of years and uncover the story of prehistoric Waikato with He Koorero Maataatoka, a guided tour of the Fossil Finds exhibition. 

Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest After Party | Sat 9th 6:00 - 9:00pm at Zeal.
After Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest markets, swing by the afterparty for  the 'best of the fest' awards and performances. 

🕺 Don't Call Me 90s | Sat 9th 8:00pm - 1:00am at The Back Bar.
A night of only the biggest and best dance floor moments from the 90s.

🥬Hamilton Farmers' Markets | Sun 10th 8:00am-noon at Gate 3, Claudelands.
Support local and do your weekly fresh shopping and have a coffee.

Mother's Day High Tea | Sun 10th 11:00am - 2:00pm at The Sculpture Park.
For all the lovely Mums, Stepmums and surrogate Mums in your life.

🎤 Hello - A Tribute to Adele | Sun 10th 3:00 - 5:00pm at Amuse Bar & Kitchen.
This Mother’s Day, join for an afternoon of singing and dancing.

Find events happening next week further down this edition!

🍔 DINNER CLUB: Been considering taking a step of courage, getting out there, and meeting some new people? Here’s the perfect opportunity to give it a go. We’ll match you with five other Hamiltonians for dinner >

🧪 SCIENCE GRANT: Exscite Trust have just launched a funding round - grants are available up to $5,000 for projects that get young people actively involved in science for workshops, classroom programmes, community events, equipment, pilot projects, and more. Find out more >

🗺️ THE HAMILTON MAP: Time to get one of our framed local prints of home. Get yours >

🐶 PETS: Zeke had a rough start to life, but he's now discovering all the good things the world has to offer-and he's loving every minute of it. Adopt Zeke >

🏡 PROPERTY: Turn of the century villa poised on an elevated site, overlooking Hamilton Lake and privately positioned next to reserve grounds. Wow >

🧩 LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: FOGGY MORNING. Reply and let me know what it is this week!

Demolition of the Gateway Church on Victoria Street is well underway for the new McDonalds development. And the owners are pledging to make the restaurant the number one Maccas in the country. Meet them >

Ward Street’s three waters upgrade for Pullman Hotel development has commenced. The 191-bed five-star Pullman is being developed over 13 levels at the current Mistry Centre, Hamilton’s tallest building. Close to 500 people are working on the redevelopment. More pics >

Hinemoa Apartments on the corner of Tristram & Liverpool, one of Hamilton’s most affordable options for first home buyers, are just a couple of months away from completion. It now includes a completed show apartment. Some deets >

Thanks to NAI Harcourts for the info.

Wintec City Campus Open Day | Wed 13th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Wintec City Campus.
Whether you're ready to apply or still figuring things out, this is your chance to get a real feel for campus life and leave feeling confident about your next move. 

Lunchtime Recital: Gracie Francis and Lara Hall | Wed 13th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Explore the musical worlds of France, Opera and our own NZ, with compositions by Viardot, Offenbach and Waikato’s Janet Jennings. 

🧶 Crochet at the Gardens | Thu 14th 10:30am - 12:00pm at Hillcrest Library at Hamilton Gardens.
Have you always wanted to get started with crochet, but don’t know where to begin? Over 6 weeks, learn the skills you need to get started, from slip knots to working in the round.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - 60 minute version | Fri 15th - Sun 17th at Clarence St Theatre.
Grab a hall pass and get ready for a laugh-out-loud adventure that anyone who has survived middle school will recognise. 

🏉 Gallagher Chiefs vs Highlanders | Fri 15th 7:05pm at FMG Stadium.
The stakes are high, the energy is electric, and the Gallagher Chiefs are ready.

Beats by Bingo for the Choppers | Fri 15th 7:30pm at Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club.
Join for a fun night of bingo plus silent auctions to support the Waikato Rescue Helicopter. 

Collectables Market | Sat 16th 8:30am - 1:30pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
Every month, there are new stalls and exciting treasures to be found!

Urban Wine Walk | Sat 16th 12:00 - 4:00pm at The Local Taphouse.
Wander the coolest venues, taste local wines and meet the winemakers on a self-guided adventure! 

🎺 Hamilton’s Lonely Hearts Club Big Band | Sat 16th 7:00pm at The Meteor.
Jazz-tinged covers of Blackbird, Yesterday, Lady Madonna, and many, many more. 

The Southern Diplomats and Tony Daunt and the Dauntless | Sat 16th 7:30pm at Biddy Mulligans.
Hamilton's only regular Rockabilly night.

🎵 Dougspace 3 Emo Night | Sat 16th 8:00pm at Last Place.
Stray Dogs and Static, Lucy Dibble and Not Exact. 

Tron Jovi + Four Tired Dads | Sat 16th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
Dig out your day-glo leg warmers and head bands.

Naomh Críostóir GAA Annual Golf Fundraiser | Sun 17th 10:00am at Hukanui Golf Club.
A fun and relaxed game of golf to raise funds for the Gaelic football club and for Hamilton Land Search and Rescue.  

Embodied Creativity Session with Lisa Benson | Sun 17th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Open to writers, dancers, teachers, artists, makers, and anyone seeking to engage the creative process more directly. 

🎹 Mataatua & Beethoven Opera in Concert | Sun 17th 3:00pm at BNZ Theatre.
An evening of depth, drama and powerful storytelling you won’t want to miss. 

Alexandr Misko - The International Guitar Sensation | Sun 17th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
Bringing his stage show to New Zealand shores for the very first time! 

So much happening in Hamilton! Go get amongst it!

— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake