👋🏼 Hello Hamilton

Anyone else get totally drenched the other day? I certainly did in the 30 seconds walking from my car into work! ⛈ The changeable spring season weather has certainly hit us. We’ve got some more wet days coming up, but warmer days are on their way as we start to hit the 20s again. I’m looking forward to summer.

My friend Sarah put together a really awesome video showcasing some of the pretty sights of Hamilton this week. Have you seen it? Check it out our on Instagram or Facebook. Can you make videos like this one or are keen to help Hello Hamilton in some way? Reach out - I’d love to connect.

First time? Kia ora! I’m Ben from Pukete and today we’re covering the best things happening in Hamilton and local news headlines you can’t miss. Join 10,000+ Hamiltonians here.

🕺 What’s on in the Tron this week?

Chill & Chat: Books Galore | Thu 9th 10:00am at Glenview Library. Bring your friends, make new ones, and chat up a storm about your latest book obsessions over a cuppa. Info.   

Morning Run for World Mental Health Day | Fri 10th 6:30am at Waikato University. Meet outside Kahurangi at the Village Green for a run or walk around the University of Waikato's 5km course. This is a relaxed social run or walk to start the day right for World Mental Health Day. Info.  

Woodstock School Twilight Gala | Fri 10th 4:00 - 7:00pm at Woodstock School. Supported by Reggie's Pizza, there’ll be delicious food, fun stalls and lots of fun for all such as a petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy castle, car boot sale and more! Info.  

Disney’s Frozen JR | Fri 10th - Sun 12th at Clarence St Theatre. National Youth Theatre proudly presents Disney’s Frozen JR., the much-loved classic based on the 2018 Broadway musical. Tickets.  

Poetry on Vinyl | Fri 10th 9:15pm at Gallagher Academy. Come along and enjoy some poetry and maybe share your own work. Featuring live music, guest poets, and spot prizes. Info.  

Hamilton Bonsai Club Annual Show | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am - 4:00pm at Hamilton Garden Pavilion. High quality bonsai on display, informal demonstrations, trade stands to cater for all your bonsai needs and an opportunity for you to get help with your own bonsai. Info.  

Cake and Coffee | Sat 11th 9:00am at The Crate Coffee. Come decorate your own cake while enjoying a complimentary barista-made coffee. Use your creativity to make something special to take home. Tickets.  

Tamahere Lions Best Artisan Market | Sat 11 9:00am - 1:00pm at Tamahere Community Hall. Over 30 indoor and outdoor stalls selling food, coffee, art, craft, gifts, wood and garden items, some produce and more…..proceeds to the local, national and international community causes. Info.  

Street Squad Show – Chrysalis | Sat 11th 2:00 & 7:00pm at The Meteor. The 2025 Street Squad dancers explore the journey of personal transformation. From darkness and confusion to navigating finding ourselves, our passion and who we want to be. Tickets.  

Frank Sargeson Memorial Lecture | Sat 11th 5:45pm at Gallagher Academy. The University of Waikato will be hosting the 22nd annual Frank Sargeson Memorial Lecture, and announcing the winners of the 2025 Sargeson Prize. Register.  

Waikato Multicultural Evening | Sat 11th 6:00pm at Maungakotukutuku College Hall. Join for a spectacular celebration of culture, dance, and community spirit! Watch performers from across the region showcase the beauty and diversity of cultures through vibrant dance, music, and traditional dress. Info.  

Date Night: Piece of You | Sat 11th 6:00pm at 12 Pembroke Street. Join for an intimate evening of painting, collage & creativity, paired with personal grazing platters for two and a selection of drinks. Tickets.  

Sub-Tribe Red Earth Tour | Sat 11th 7:00pm at Last Place. Following from their hit EP 'Midnite Sun', SUB-TRIBE are back in Aotearoa with a mixture of fresh and classic tunes. Tickets. 

Intro to D&D | Sun 12th 12:00 - 4:00pm at Hive 11. Are you interested in learning to play Dungeons & Dragons, but don’t know where to start? Come to Intro to D&D to learn the game with an experienced game master! Tickets.  

☀️ A peek at what’s on next week!

Yarn 'n' Yack | Tue 14th 2:00pm at Glenview Library. Bring your knitting, crochet or stitching project, and enjoy the company of fellow craft enthusiasts. Share skills, ideas and make new friends over a cuppa. Info.  

The Power of Short for Video Content | Tue 14th 5:30pm at Snapshot Photo Warehouse. This is a Sony Scene event bringing Jonathan Suckling to the Waikato. He will be speaking on the power of short for video content and how it can be used to grow a business. Tickets.  

Engineering Design Show 2025 | Wednesday and Thursday 1:00pm at The Pā, Waikato University. This two-day showcase is your chance to experience the cutting edge of innovation, creativity, and real-world problem solving from the next generation of engineers. Info.

Speed Dating for Ages 40-54, 50-65 | Thu 16th 7:00pm at Good Neighbour. Join for an exciting evening of speed dating! Speed Daters will be split into 2 age groups which will run simultaneously. Tickets.  

GISH: Live | Thu 16th 7:00pm at The Local Te Rapa. Comedy icon GISH is back with a brand-new show! For over 20 years, GISH has been one of New Zealand’s most beloved comedians, famous for his outrageous parodies that mix six strings with dodgy things. Tickets.  

Moon Goose And Friends | Thu 16th 7:00pm at HANRAD Gallery. Join for an evening of music with folk duo Moon Goose and their musical friends. Tickets. 

CMNZ Series Four Last Songs | Thu 16th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy. For this special premiere performance, Salina Fisher has arranged the 'Four Last Songs' for NZTrio and celebrated Australian soprano Emma Pearson. Tickets.  

Foundation Hardcore Fest II 2025 | Friday and Saturday at The Local Te Rapa. Foundation Fest is coming in hard this year with a stacked lineup of punk and hardcore. Over two relentless days, 17 of some of the best NZHC. Tickets. 

Beethoven Unwrapped | Fri 17th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy. Let Opus Orchestra take you on a journey of discovery into one of Beethoven’s greatest works. With guest conductor Brent Stewart as your musical guide, this concert invites you to experience Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in a way you’ve never heard before. Tickets.  

Maungahau Lodge: Walk for a Cause | Sat 18th 9:00am at 281 Duncan Rd. This year, the walk is raising funds exclusively for the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Participants can choose between two trail options, both requiring a moderate fitness level: a 3km or a 10km route. Tickets. 

Vetro Spring Festival | Sat 18th 9:00am - 3:00pm at Vetro Mediterranean Foods. Join for a few hours of entertainment including live music and face painting for the kids, delicious food, instore tastings at Vetro and go in the draw to win a Weber BBQ. Info.  

Ride Your Trike | Sat 18th 12:00 - 4:30pm at 801 Victoria St. Join for the Ride Your Trike NZ & Fit IQ Pop-Up Shop Launch – Together We Move! Celebrate movement, inclusivity, and fun at the Hamilton CBD pop-up space. Explore adaptive trikes, E-bikes, and cycling accessories. Info.  

Oktoberfest 2025 | Sat 18th 12:00 - 10:00pm at Brewaucracy Brewery. Come and enjoy the fun, there’s live music, great food, some epic games, prizes and more! Tickets.  

Pipe Works | Sat 18th 2:00pm and 7:00pm at Southwell Performing Arts Centre. Experience the championship sounds of The Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band and celebrate the Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band's 100th year at Pipeworks 2025. Tickets.  

Waikato Diwali Mela 2025 | Sat 18th 5:00pm at Innes Common. Bring along your picnic mats, rugs, or chairs and relax under the stars while enjoying an unforgettable evening of culture, food, and entertainment. Featuring spectacular fireworks, vibrant cultural performances, delicious food stalls and more! Info.  

Hamilton Big Band: Back to Basie | Sat 18th 7:00pm at The Meteor. Join the Hamilton Big Band’s roster of musicians and soloists as they pay tribute to the legendary composer, pianist, and bandleader William “Count” Basie. Tickets.  

Tom Sainsbury - Lessons not Learnt | Sat 18th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. Tom Sainsbury is a multi-talented comedian, actor and writer best known for his razor-sharp character comedy and prolific work across stage, screen and social media. Tickets.  

Fables - Sundown Tour | Sat 18th 8:00pm at Last Place. Fables celebrate their debut album, Change Is a Slow-Moving Beast, with a tour showcasing their atmospheric blend of ambient country and folk-inspired sounds, weaving dreamy guitar textures and evocative lyricism. Tickets. 

Comedy Double Feature | Sat 18th 8:30pm at Nivara Lounge. The most haunted comedian in all of New Zealand (Callum Wagstaff) and indie darling George Fenn (as Sexy Ghost Boy) are here to split your sides this spooky season, using comedy to defang all of your worst fears. Tickets.  

Waikato Record Fair | Sun 19th 11:00am - 2:00pm at Biddy Mulligans. Biddy Mulligan's presents their inaugural Waikato Record Fair. Situated in their covered outside area next to the main bar and in the back bar, it's going to be big and it's going to be juicy! Info.  

Event organiser? Submit your event to Hello Hamilton.

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🧐 Local news you may have missed

With just four days left for Hamiltonians to vote in the 2025 local elections, only 20,100 votes have been received – 17.4% of the city’s 115,433 enrolled voters. Time is running out to have your say in the future shape of the city, but if a street poll of Hamiltonians is any indication, the prevailing mood is: “We’ll get around to it”. Read.

Bottled water was snapped up, taps disconnected and school closures announced after northern Hamilton was saddled with a boil water notice. Hamilton City Council issued the warning on Saturday afternoon, saying a test of the Rototuna Reservoir had come back positive for E coli that morning. All warnings have now been lifted after consistent negative results. Read.

Mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson says she will cut the city council’s consultancy spend by one-third over the next three years if elected. She highlighted that the council spent $36.8 million on consultants last year, mostly on infrastructure, and believes doing more work in-house could deliver significant savings. Read.

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who should share their poetry at that event on Friday!

As always, please direct reply to this email ([email protected]) if you have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions of Hello Hamilton.

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See you next week!

— Ben and Sarah