ππΌ Hello Hamilton
Kia ora, hope youβre keeping well?
I had a great time at our experimental social badminton on Monday - it was super well attended, so Iβm now working hard behind the scenes to turn it into a regular thing. Read more on this below.
Badminton not your thing? Iβm sure dinner will be. Our next Dinner Club night is coming up soon, so itβs time to jump on and grab your ticket. See you there?
Congrats to Aaron McFarlane, who won the free tickets to the rugby game last weekend. Hear it was a tough match.
Anywho, enjoy todayβs edition and Iβll see ya out there.
β Ben
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A few weeks ago I put a quiet invite out for people keen to join me and a couple Dinner Club members for some Badminton. And so many people showed up!
So now weβre starting a social club. A low-pressure excuse to get out of the house, do something a little different, and meet some new neighbours.
Itβs for all Hamiltonians, and itβs not reeeally about the Badminton - no sport experience needed, no competition, and no pressure to know what you're doing!
Just turn up, grab one of our provided rackets, have a laugh, and get to know some fellow Hamiltonians. Sign up to hear about upcoming nights?
Whatβs happening this weekend?
Friday, 11th September
π 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 ethnic communities here in Hamilton.
π΅ Friday Live | Fri 11th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. A three band extravaganza! Dβfeks, Hugo and the Hurricanes and The Bobby Holidays.
πΆ Strung Out β NZ Tour | Fri 11th 8:00pm at Last Place Bar. Celebrating their classic LP Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues and other hits from their 35 year career.
Saturday, 12th September
𧩠Convergence 2026 | Saturday and Sunday 8:30am at Distinction Hotel Te Rapa. The Waikato Role-Playing Guildβs biggest event of the year.
π± Hamilton Bonsai Show | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Hamilton Gardens Pavilion. Showcasing some of NZβs best bonsai, this is the largest annual bonsai show in NZ.
π Dress for Success $5 Sale | Until Sat 12th at 169 London Street. Gently used high-quality womenβs clothes, accessories and shoes.
π§₯ Thrifty Threads | Until Sat 12th 2:00pm at The Meteor. Three days of secondhand style, sustainable fashion and serious bargain hunting
πͺ‘ 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 household textile items.
πΎ 50th National Bottle Show | Saturday and Sunday at Claudelands Events Centre. Featuring a range of bottles on display, including vintage, historical, and collectible pieces.
π«Άπ» Shaping Your Legacy Waikato Expo | Sat 12th 10:00am - 3:00pm at Glenview Community Centre. Held to encourage and empower people to have important conversations about end-of-life planning, grief, loss, whΔnau support and the legacy we leave.
π΅ Soft Bait β 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 whatβs next.Β
πΈ Metadeth | Sat 12th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. A Metallica/Megadeth Tribute covering their thrashing years, coming in for an evening of metal with opening guests Neural Deday.
Sunday, 13th September
π 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.
Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 14th 8:00am - 12:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands. Your Sunday tradition. π₯¬
πΎ Love Tennis Open Day | Sun 13th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Eastlink Community Hub. Activities for all ages, including coaching sessions and court play, mini games, giveaways, BBQβs and more.
ποΈ Market and Club Open Day | Sun 13th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Glenview Club.
Indoor and outdoor market, car boot sale, plus check out what Glenview Club has to offer.
Whatβs on next week?
Tuesday, 15th September
π Little Morning for your Little Ones | Tue 15th 10:00am - 12:00pm at Chartwell Shopping Centre. A fun-filled morning of spring crafts celebrating our buzzing bee friends.
Wednesday, 16th September
π» Lunchtime Recital: Benjamin Baker Violin Plus | Wed 16th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Internationally acclaimed violinist returns to the Waikato following his popular 2025 solo concert Sei Solo.
Thursday, 17th September
π§βπΎ Hamilton Gardens Behind the Scenes Tour | Thu 17th 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.
π Speed Dating for ages 35-49, 50-65 | Thu 17th 6:30pm at Good Neighbour.
A fun and safe way to meet other genuine singles looking for a real connection.
Friday, 18th September
π Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show | Fri 18th - Sun 20th 9:00am at Mystery Creek. New Zealandβs largest motorhome and caravan event.
Escapist Mega Board Game Sale | Fri 18th - Sun 20th at Escapist Entertainment. Grab a bargain or get your Christmas shopping done early. Buy more, save more! π§©
πΆ Kirikiriroa Hardcore Vol.11 | Fri 18th 6:30pm at Mesoverse. Featuring local hardcore punks Martial Law, Out of It, Mark My Words, and Home Invasion.
π΅ Nicholas Joseph Album Release Show | Fri 18th 7:30pm at Last Place. Kirikiriroa's Nicholas Joseph will celebrate the release of his debut album.
Saturday, 19th September
π Park Run - Hamilton Lake | Sat 19th 8:00am at Hamilton Lake. Come on down to Hamilton Lake Park run.
π Puketaha Spring Fair | Sat 19th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Puketaha School. Pony rides & petting zoo, bouncy castle, raffles, VR experience, climbing wall, food and entertainment, boutique market stalls, pedal tractors, and heaps more!
π¨ Architecture of Connection | Sat 19th September - Sat 3rd October 11:00am at The Meteor. This exhibition brings together fluid acrylic gestures and the disciplined precision of wrapped thread.
πΏπ¦ Afrika Bazaar 2026 | Sat 19th 11:00am - 5:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre. Come for a day filled with colorful performances, authentic African cuisine, stunning artwork, vibrant music, performances and more.
π» Hamilton City Hack Club | Sat 19th 1:30pm at Central Library. Hack Club is for makers, artists and coders ages 14-18. Bring your own project or learn something new
πΌ 2026 Centenary National Daffodil Show | Saturday and Sunday at The Pavillion, Hamilton Gardens. Growers from throughout the country exhibit prized blooms in a variety of forms colour and size.
πΊ Good George Oktoberfest | Sat 19th 2:00 - 10:00pm at Good George Dining Hall. Rally the crew, dust off the lederhosen or dirndl, and join for an afternoon packed with beer, food, music, and good times.
π NPC β Waikato vs Manawatu | Sat 19th 5:05pm at FMG Stadium. Your ticket gets you two games with the Waitomo Waikato FPC team also in action before the NPC clash.
π΅ Transmitter | Sat 19th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Bundling up their Kiwi tunes for the first set before following up with their favourite post-punk bangers.Β
πΆ Cindy Album Release Tour | Sat 19th 8:00pm at Last Place Bar. Long-anticipated debut album The Way I Do.
Sunday, 20th September
π The Hamilton Shelf Shuffle | Sun 20th 9:00am - 3:00pm at Anne Fern Coffee Shop. Time to take a look through your shelves, dig out those well loved books (or maybe the ones you never quite warmed to) and give them a chance at a new chapter. Plus flash tattoos by CaliLouβs Tattoos.Β
Thanks for reading today, and a special thanks to our new paid supporters who are helping Hello Hamilton stay free to all. I really appreciate it. Keen for this to stay human-written, independent, and ad-light? Consider upgrading your subscription.
β Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
