It’s been five years since Matariki became a public holiday. Matariki was the first holiday to recognise Te Ao Maaori and the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day became a public holiday in 1974.

The theme for this year's Matariki is ‘Matariki Herenga Waka - Matariki For Everyone’, and event organisers say more and more people are embracing the holiday, not just Māori.

Are you heading out and about over the long weekend? The Maanawatia a Matariki celebration at Hamilton Lake on Friday evening looks great. I hear the Waikato Food Show at Claudelands is also set to be a hit.

See you out there!

— Ben

Winter has well and truly arrived in Hamilton. If your home is cold, damp or hard to heat, now could be the perfect time to do something about it. 💦

If you're a homeowner living in a house built before 2008, you may qualify for an insulation grant, giving you 50–90% off the cost of your insulation.

A lot of older homes across Hamilton lose heat through the ceiling and floor, which means your heater has to work harder just to keep the house comfortable. Good insulation helps your home stay warmer for longer, keeps the damp out, and can help lower your power bills. 🏠

Proudly New Zealand owned and operated, Premier Insulation manufactures its polyester insulation locally and has helped thousands of Kiwi homeowners enjoy warmer, healthier homes.

Premier Insulation can confirm your eligibility for the grant and provide a no-obligation quote for any insulation work required. If you've been putting off insulating your home, this winter could be the ideal time to take advantage of the support available.👇

🖼️ The Painter and the Glassmaker - Exhibition Opening | Thu 9th 5:30pm at Artspost.
Anyone who enjoys seeing where creativity can lead is warmly invited.

🥵 Magic Men Takeover Hamilton | Thu 9th 7:00 - 10:30pm at The Factory. Australia’s most talented performers, jaw-dropping acrobatics, and cheeky crowd interaction. 

🎻 Matariki Concert | Fri 10th 11:30am at Waikato Museum.
Celebrate with a free concert featuring a string quartet, taonga puuoro, and kapa haka.

✨ Maanawatia a Matariki | Fri 10th 3:00 - 7:00pm at Hamilton Lake.
Rally your whaanau and friends together and enjoy a night of rekareka (fun).

🗿 Matariki at Sculpture Park | Fri 10th - Sun 12th at Waitakaruru Arboretum.
Special Matariki experience - Matariki inspired crafts and guided evening walks. 

🥟 Waikato Food Show 2026 | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Claudelands.
Wide range of exhibitors serving up the latest products, knowledge and ingredients.

🎄 Mid-Winter Christmas Market | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Claudelands.
Find the perfect gifts to warm hearts and homes alike.

🍃 New Season Botanical Tour | Sat 11th 10:00am at The Sculpture Park.
Get a behind the scenes look at the plants and trees that make up this unique arboretum.

🤾🏻 Padel Park Open Day | Sat 11th 10:00am - 8:00pm at Padel Park.
Live DJ, food trucks, and plenty of padel and pickleball - give it a try for free! 

⭐️ Matariki Storytime Concert | Sat 11th 11:30am at Rototuna Library.
Orchestras Central presents a special children's storytime concert.

🎶 One Voice, Many Journeys | Sat 11th 3:00pm at St Peter’s Cathedral.
Bringing together young singers from across the Waikato region.

🚂 Model Train Night Run | Sat 11th 3:00 - 8:00pm at Hamilton Model Engineers.
Go on a night ride from $3 plus several food trucks on site!  

🕺 Live Rock 'n' Roll | Sat 11th 7:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
Featuring Go Go Johnny, The Bobby Holidays and Pet & Ali. 

☕️ Coffee & Cars | Sun 12th 9:00am - 12:00pm at Jukebox Diner.
See some of the best show & performance cars Waikato has to offer!

SOCIAL STRANGERS: Got your ticket for our escape room with strangers event yet? Meet some new people in a fun, unique way - with a personality-matched group of Hamiltonians! A requested spinoff to the Hamilton-famous Hello Hamilton Dinner Club. Grab your ticket >

WANTED: Have you heard? Hello Hamilton is building on it’s mission to help locals feel more connected to this place, and starting some original reporting. I’m looking for curious people who love Hamilton and enjoy discovering what's happening here. Become a Hello Hamilton reporter >

HAMILTON MAP: Grabbed yours yet? Support Hello Hamilton with style. Now’s your chance >

📚 Koorero Paki | Tue 14th 10:30am at Central Library.
Enjoy a fun, interactive bilingual storytime in both Maaori and English.

🎭 The Hunt for the Giant’s Heart | Tue 14th - Fri 17th 10:30am at The Meteor.
For years, a small town has been plagued by a giant, who loves nothing but stomping and squashing and smashing and mashing. But Boot, a young person, has had enough.

🗣️ Reo Reehia | Tue 14th 1:00pm at Central Library.
Boost your reo through kōrero and kēmu in a fun, supportive environment.

🧠 Hamilton Public Lecture | Tue 14th 5:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
'Nursing as critical practice: Challenges in transforming mental health legislation' by Professor Anthony O'Brien. 

🐬 Māui Event LUSH | Tue 14th 6:30pm at LUSH, The Base.  
Join Lush and the Endangered Species Foundation for a special evening dedicated to one of Aotearoa's most precious taonga species, the critically endangered Māui dolphin.

🍷 Paint and Wine Night - Matariki Stars | Tue 14th 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
A fun beginner-friendly adults painting class in a bar!

🚂 Hamilton Model Engineers | Wed 15th 10:30am - 2:00pm at Hamilton Model Engineers.
Open on Wednesday for the school holidays, come down for some fun! 

🎶 Lunchtime Recital: Tomorrow's Musicians | Wed 15th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Showcasing the brilliant talent of local High School students.

💦 Splash Attack | Fri 17th 11:00am - 2:00pm at Waterworld.
One day only! $12pp includes hydroslides, dive boards, inflatables and swim entry. 

🤣 Hilarious Comedy Hypnosis Show | Fri 17th 7:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
As seen on Seven Sharp, Haiming Jiang brings his hit show to Hamilton!

🎼 Phileo Quartet | Fri 17th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
The unique sound, style, and traditions of the Vienna Philharmonic.

💿 Collectables Market | Sat 18th 8:30am - 1:30pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
Hundreds of interesting items for sale and friendly stallholders.

🎓 University of Waikato Community Open Day | Sat 18th 10:00am - 1:00pm.
Learn about the Uni’s flexible learning options, scholarships and the support services.

🕺 Flashback to the 80s - Frisky Business | Sat 18th 8:00pm at Last Place.
Think neon lights, big hair, wild outfits, and all the iconic hits played live and loud! 

🏀 Harlem Globetrotters | Sun 19th 1:30pm at Claudelands.
Experience the team that redefined basketball!

🎺 Pink Rhythm & Groove | Sun 19th 2:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Bras and Brass, with Hamilton Brass Band, raising funds for breast cancer research. 

🎵 Speed (Aus) | Sun 19th 5:00pm at Last Place.
Australian hardcore staples SPEED has flown across the Tasman.

It was a little surprising to see a bunch of people become paid members of Hello Hamilton when I opened up the opportunity last week! Thank you. It’s so awesome that some readers are keen to help cover our online hosting fees, the tech behind the scenes, and hiring of young local talent.

If you’d like to see Hello Hamilton stay human-written, independent, and community focused, please consider becoming a paid member (for the price of about two coffees a month).

I’m also currently assembling a small local team of contributors to covering the stories, people, and ideas that mainstream media overlook - and these memberships really help that mission.

Have a great week!

— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake