Can you believe it: there are just six weeks until Christmas! Have you noticed all the Christmas decorations up at The Base, Chartwell, and Centre Place? Summer, Santa, and spritzes 😉 are on their way.

An even scarier countdown for you might be Lugtons Round the Bridges - that’s this Sunday. Three days to go. You got this!!!

Last week, we asked for your thoughts on fireworks. We get a lot of them here in Hamilton, and there’s been an increasing number of conversations about their availability in New Zealand. 84% of you Hamiltonian’s said they should be kept out of the public’s hands - only be purchased commercially to be used at public displays. 🎆

By the way my friends… we’re on track to launch something special next week. Keep an eye out for Hello Hamilton next Thursday - you’ll want to be quick! 👀

First time here? 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. Check us out on Instagram and Facebook.

Ethno Chronicles: Stories of Culture and Belonging | Thu 13th - Sat 29th 11:00am at The Meteor. Ethno Chronicles is a collection of seven short documentaries exploring the rich tapestry of cultures, identities, and creative expression that shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse communities. Info.  

🌹 Pacific Rose Bowl Festival | Thu 13th - Sun 16th at Hamilton Gardens. The Pacific Rose Festival, held each November under the Pacific Accord of Friendship, invites the public to vote for their favourite introduced and New Zealand bred roses, the only public-voted rose trial in the world, with winners receiving the prestigious NZ Zealand Rose of the Year. Info.  

🎭 Unconscious | Thu 13th - Sat 15th 7:30pm at the Meteor. Fast-paced, funny, surprising, and just a little bit strange, Unconscious is a brand-new play premiering at The Meteor. Think Inside Out (for adults) meets Severance. Tickets.  

🎡 Pop Up Carnival | Fri 14th - Sun 16th at The Base Shopping Center. Thrill & fun rides for everyone, featuring the All New Golden Ferris Wheel, Hurricane, Dodgem Cars, Cup & Saucer, Dragon Wagon and more! Plus your favourite carnival games & Fairground food. Info.  

Flower Making | Fri 14th 10:30am at Hillcrest Library, Hamilton Gardens. Join for a relaxing, hands-on session where you'll learn to craft beautiful flowers from crepe paper. Info. 

🎶 Coast Arcade Home Run | Fri 14th 8:00pm at Last Place. After carving out a name with high-energy support slots across the city and shows around the country, the shoegaze four-piece are finally returning to Hamilton. Tickets. 

Tronpost 2025 | Sat 15th 8:00am - 12:00pm at Hamilton Organic Centre. Grab a bucket and roll up to the Hamilton Organic Centre for some free compost made from our kerbside food scraps. Info.  

Waikato Pestival | Sat 15th 9:30am - 2:00pm at Fraser Tech Rugby Club. Join for a half-day workshop bringing together experts and community groups to share practical predator-free solutions for the Waikato. Register. 

🧚 Stories in the Garden | Sat 15th 10:00am at Garden Place. Come on a magical adventure under the trees in Garden Place for an hour of storytelling and games with characters from Enchanted Entertainment. Info.  

Hamilton Gold Buying | Sat 15th 11:30am - 2:30pm at Chartwell Cooperating Church. Got gold tangled chains, single earrings, snapped clasps, or rings missing stones? Bring them in to sell and receive instant payment for gold. Info.  

🧸 Teddy Bears Picnic | Sat 15th 12:00 - 2:30pm at Hamilton Gardens. The annual Pacific Rose bowl festival is holding a Teddy bears picnic. Join for outdoor games, bubbles, lots of fun and an opportunity to vote for NZ Rose of the Year. Info.  

🎅 Santa Arrives at Chartwell | Sat 15th 12:00 - 3:30pm at Chartwell Shopping Centre. Enjoy a joyful afternoon including free face painting, balloon twisting, live entertainment, and plenty of festive activities to keep little ones smiling. And of course, the highlight of the day, Santa’s grand entrance at 1:30pm! Info.  

🍷 Urban Wine Walk | Sat 15th 12:00 - 4:00pm at The Local Taphouse. The streets and laneways of Kirikiriroa Hamilton are set to come alive this spring as a line-up of venues each play host to an incredible winemaker, who'll be there ready to pour and chat you through an unforgettable afternoon. Tickets.  

Narnia: Dance & Drama Showcase | Sat 15th 6:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Narnia: The Hidden Kingdom follows three modern sisters - Lucia, Edmina, and Susanna - who uncover a mysterious book in an old house. This enchanted book pulls them into the magical world of Narnia, where the White Queen's shadow has begun to reawaken. Tickets.  

🎵 Roots Rising | Sat 15th 7:00 - 10:00pm at The Factory. This is a tour you don’t want to miss, featuring three of Aotearoa’s most soulful and powerful reggae acts — House of Shem, Son and Water, and Brutha Rodz — bringing uplifting energy, rich harmonies, and authentic roots music to the stage. Tickets.  

Versailles - With Sahara | Sat 15th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Versailles is bringing their electrifying mix of reggae, dub, and funk—seasoned with tasteful jazz influences—for a high-energy set that will keep you moving. Tickets. 

🏃 Lugtons Round the Bridges | Sun 16th 8:00am - 2:00pm at Garden Place. Every year thousands of runners and walkers descend upon Hamilton City Centre for one of NZ's oldest and most beloved annually contested events, Lugtons Round the Bridges, and this year it celebrates its 80th birthday! Tickets.

Writers of Impact | Sun 16th 1:30pm at Trust Waikato Building. This session is about honouring the contributions of two writers to the Waikato writing community followed by the Pen International Event. Info. 

Gourmet In the Gardens | Sun 16th 4:00 - 8:00pm at Hamilton Gardens. Come along with the whole family and listen to the local live music while dining from the lineup of local food trucks. Bring your picnic blankets, chairs, and sunscreen. Info. 

🤣 Luke Kidgell | Sun 16th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. Luke is known for his viral crowd-work interactions that often lead to some fairly unusual, yet hilarious encounters. Tickets.  

No Boys Allowed | Tue 18th 6:00 - 9:00pm at YWCA. Join for an evening of tabletop role-playing games designed especially for women, trans women, and non-binary/genderqueer folks! Tickets.   

🏃‍♀️ Move for Movember | Wed 19th 6:30am at University of Waikato. Grab your trainers, throw on a mo (real or fake) and come to the Village Green to walk or run the University’s 5km course. Info.  

Solving Family Mysteries | Thu 20th 6:00pm at Rototuna Library. Have you hit a brick wall with your family history research? Join a library session with a panel of experts to help you tackle the "brick walls" in your research. Register.  

🎼 Beastwars - The Ship // The Sea | Thu 20th 8:00pm at Last Place. Beastwars are known for soundtracking times of war, disaster and collapse, and their sixth record, The Ship // The Sea distills that darkness into one of the most intense and cathartic albums of their career. Tickets. 

Andrew Fagan – Passage Of Time | Fri 21st 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Andrew Fagan - iconic New Zealand solo sailor, songwriter, and frontman of legendary Kiwi band The Mockers - hits the road in November with a 20-date nationwide tour. Tickets. 

Music To Make Things To | Sat 22nd 11:00am - 1:00pm at The Meteor. Music To Make Things To is all about bringing local creatives together to share space, ideas, and inspiration. Whether you’re part of a knitting group, experimenting with watercolours, or simply keen to relax with a coffee and enjoy the live tunes, everyone is welcome. Tickets.

🏏 BLACKCAPS v West Indies 3rd ODI | Sat 22nd 2:00pm at Seddon Park. Big hits. Big names. Big series. Feel the electric atmosphere, soak up the summer vibes, and enjoy world-class cricket right here at home. Tickets.  

Freaky Friday The Musical | Sat 22nd 7:00pm at Riverlea Theatre. A body-switch musical? Picture all the hilarious chaos that could unfold. Tickets. 

🥬 Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 23rd 8:00am - 12:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands. Your local authentic farmers' market - fresh seasonal fruit & vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, bread, honey, condiments - buy local, support local. Info. 

Scot Hall Voice Studio Summer Vocal Showcase | Sun 23rd 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Join Scot Hall and his vocal students at the stunning Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts for an afternoon of beautiful singing featuring solos and duets from your favourite musicals. Tickets. 

Always double-check event details haven’t changed since you received this email. Did I forget anything? Flick me an email.

Waikato residents could soon have a shorter drive to Costco, with the retailer planning a new store in Drury, South Auckland. The 6.4-hectare site at Drury East, adjacent to State Highway 1, would put the store within easier reach of Hamilton, cutting travel time by more than an hour compared with the existing West Auckland branch. Read.

Kevin, a “playful, curious, and cheeky” giraffe from Christchurch, has arrived at his new home at Hamilton Zoo. 🦒 He travelled with three keepers from Orana Wildlife Park, who ensured a smooth 16½-hour journey, including a 3½-hour ferry, keeping him fed, watered, and calm along the way. Read.

Hamilton house prices rose 0.6% in October to an average of $789,540, bucking the nationwide downward trend, according to the latest QV House Price Index. While New Zealand’s overall average value fell 0.8%, Hamilton remained steady, with its North East and Central areas recording increases of 2.18% and 1.99%. 🏡 Read.

The Waikato Regional Theatre will officially launch on Friday January 23 with a performance by Teeks, one of New Zealand’s most powerful contemporary voices. Known offstage as Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi, the Hokianga-born 32-year-old has earned acclaim for his soulful songs. Read.

Former Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate is moving on from local government after 24 years of service. Reflecting on her time in office, Southgate said she had “loved everything” about being an elected member and was most proud of the connections she built with the community. Read.

After a decade of packed stands, unforgettable match days and global spotlight, FMG Stadium Waikato is getting ready for its next chapter, and a new name. FMG’s naming rights will come to its planned end in June 2026, and Council is now inviting expressions of interest for the next naming rights partner. Read.

As always, thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today legend!

If you found something useful, please share it with someone who should vote for their favourite rose at the Gardens!

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 - feedback, complaints, conversations are welcomed. I’d love to hear from you.

See you next week!

— Ben and Sarah