ππΌ Hello Hamilton
Hamilton Book Month continues with heaps of events for book lovers, as does Love Bites, with 30 Hamilton eateries serving up exclusive creations this month. The Kirikiriroa Corner Market looks cool this Saturday, and I know the Women's Lifestyle Expo on next weekend will be popular!
Thereβs heaps happening this week, so Iβll let you get to it. Stay dry!
β Ben
Have you booked your seat yet? Get matched up with five other Hamiltonians for a fun social dining experience in Rototuna.
Take a quick quiz about interests, preferences, and what types of Hamiltonians youβre looking to meet.
Get matched with five other Club members based on the result.
Receive your invite a few days before club night and discover which Rototuna restaurant your group will be dining at. π
During dinner, everyone across town will receive a notification with the secret nearby location of an afterparty. This is optional, so if youβre in a food coma, you can go home and sleep it off.
Whatβs happening this weekend?
Thursday, 13th August
πΌ Aotearoa in Bloom | Thu 13th 6:30pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Rachel Clare and Tryphena Cracknell celebrate our native flowering plants with their illustrated talk.
π Kirsty Webeck: Lost For Words | Thu 13th 7:00pm at The Meteor.
Kirsty is back to show you that the words just keep flowing and that theyβre always hilarious.
πΏ MS Waikato Movie Night Fundraiser | Thu 13th 7:00pm at Lido Cinema.
Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor star in The End of Oak Street. All funds raised used to support Waikato people living with Multiple Sclerosis or Huntington's Disease.
Friday, 14th August
π Panel: Fiction Three Ways | Fri 14th 6:30pm at Waikato Museum.
Three authors in conversation, a panel exploring storytelling, creativity, and the craft of fiction.
Saturday, 15th August
πΏ Collectables Market | Sat 15th 8:30am - 1:30pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
Every month, there are new stalls and exciting treasures to be found!
πΌοΈ Kirikiriroa Corner Market | Sat 15th 9:00am - 2:00pm at Mesoverse.
An indoor alternative market with a variety of crafters and artists.
π΅π Waikato Southeast Asia Festival | Sat 15th 10:00am - 5:00pm at Claudelands.
Experience the wonder and diversity of Southeast Asia through music, dance, cuisine and more. Also includes the Filipino Food and Hamilton Ube festival.Β
π€ Waikato Aria Competition - 2026 Grand Final | Sat 15th 7:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
The University of Waikatoβs most promising voices compete for this prestigious prize.
πΊ Hidden Gems | Sat 15th 7:30pm at The Meteor.
Join the Hamilton Big Band, with the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Ethel Waters, and more.
πΆ Songs of Adele | Sat 15th 8:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
International vocalist Caitriona Fallon is joined by her 10-piece band to present a selection of your favourite Adele tunes.
Sunday, 16th August
π€© BENβS PICK
Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 16th 8:00am - 12:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands. From local farmers and producers direct to you. π₯¬
π Bottomless Bites - Pizza | Sun 16th 12:30 - 4:00pm at The Roaming Giant.
Enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless pizza, then finish with sticky date pudding. Perfect for a relaxed Sunday lunch.
βοΈ Performance and the Act of Writing | Sun 16th 1:30pm at Trust Waikato.
A conversation between award winning author Dr. David Coventry and one of New Zealand's foremost practitioners of the short story and poem, Dr. Tracey Slaughter.
Hello Hamilton costs hundreds of dollar to produce every week.
This sponsored spot helps keep Hamilton free for all.
Whatβs on next week?
Monday, 17th August
π§π» Playcentre Open Week | Mon 17th - Fri 21st 9:30 - 11:30am.
Playcentres across the Waikato region invite whΔnau with tamariki from birth to school age to come along for a free visit.Β
𧑠Shama Open Day | Mon 17th 12:30 - 4:00pm at 8 Liverpool Street.
Come find out about ShamaβsΒ work as a social services agency/community organisation, enjoy yummy ethnic food, fun cultural activities and dance to international music.
π§Ά Makers Common | Mon 17th 5:30 - 8:00pm at Pukete Neighbourhood House.
A free monthly craft club for all creatives to meet up and make!
πΆ Pub Choir | Mon 17th 7:00pm at BNZ Theatre.
An entirely improvised comedy music lesson.
Tuesday, 18th August
π Little Bakers Playdough CafΓ© | Tue 18th 10:00am - 12:00pm at Chartwell Shopping Centre.
A fun-filled morning of creative play as little hands roll, shape and decorate their own colourful playdough creations.
π University of Waikato Professorial Lecture | Tue 18th 5:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
'The long road to Lake restoration: Lessons from the past, challenges for the future' by Professor Deniz Γzkundakci.
Wednesday, 19th August
πΊ University of Waikato Student Concert | Wed 19th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
This is a chance to get to know some of our brilliant musicians on their path to becoming professionals.
πΊ Weekly Dance Fitness Class | Wed 19th 6:30pm at Rototuna High.
De-stress, have fun, lose weight, boost your confidence & connect with the community with fun sessions of ConfiDance Dance Fitness.
Thursday, 20th August
ππ· Croatian Bites | Thu 20th 6:00pm at Scotts Epicurean.
Join a 3 course dinner cooking demo by Julie Le Clerc and taste the wines of Croatian wine maker Jacob.
π Passionfruits | Thu 20th - Sat 22nd 7:30pm at The Meteor.
The debut performance season of a locally written & directed, award-winning family drama.Β
Friday, 21st August
π Rotokauri Campus Open Day | Fri 21st 10:00am at Wintec.
Explore specialist learning spaces, meet tutors and current students, try hands-on activities, and get a feel for life at Wintec.
π₯ Whisky Night x Love Bites | Fri 21st 6:00pm at Banh Mi Caphe.
Join a Whisky and Canape pairing experience.
π Telling Our Own and Others' Stories | Fri 21st 6:30pm at Central Library.
Hear from award-winning journalists and former foreign correspondents Charlotte Glennie and Mike McRoberts in conversation discussing their memoirs.
π€° Auction Fundraiser Supporting Pregnancy Choice | Fri 21st 7:30pm at Pregnancy Choice Op Shop.
Come along to a fundraising night supporting pregnancy choice.Β
π΅ The Wall Vol. 2 | Fri 21st 8:30pm at Last Place.
Featuring Raru, Out of It, Anklebreaker and Money Sock, a night of punk, rock and hardcore.Β
Saturday, 22nd August
ππ»ββοΈ Women's Lifestyle Expo 2026 | Saturday and Sunday 10:00am at Claudelands.
Browse, taste and treat yourself to the best in fashion, beauty and skincare, health and wellness, gourmet food and beverages and more!Β
π Adult Professional Development Writing Workshops | Sat 22nd 1:00 - 4:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Speculative Fiction NZ presents three writing workshops.Β
π§π»βπ³ Recipe Book Bites | Sat 22nd 2:00pm at Hamilton Central Library.
Join three published Waikato foodies and hear their different paths to getting a published cookbook.Β
πΈ CBD Covered Lanes & Architecture Photography Walk | Sat 22nd 2:00pm at Hamilton Central Library.
Join the Waikato Photographic Society for their August field trip.
π· Movie Magic with Hamilton City Brass | Sat 22nd 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
Hamilton City Brass returns to the stage celebrating some of the greatest film music ever written.Β
π€£ Tofiga - Fresh Since Ages Ago | Sat 22nd 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
A collection of hilarious skits bringing back Tofigaβs family characters like Aunty Tala, Uncle Sam, and Kung Fu Master Tavita.Β
π΅Skonk, Mooring And Scene Beef | Sat 22nd 8:00pm at Last Place.
Hopping over the Kaimai Ranges from their local pond of Tauranga.
Sunday, 23rd August
π NPC - Waikato vs Counties Manukau | Sun 23rd 2:05pm at FMG Stadium.
Back the boys as they take on Counties Manukau on home turf.Β
πΈ Amplify Aotearoa | Sun 23rd 6:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
A one-of-a-kind intergenerational music event bringing rangatahi bands together with iconic Aotearoa musicians for a live collaborative performance.
POLL: How'd you like Hello Hamilton today?
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Have a great week,
β Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
