Kia ora Kirikiriroa, welcome back!

You may have noticed a few changes to the look and feel to this little thing recently, along with some evolution to our news section and a new Bulletin. Could you spare two minutes to tell me what you think?

— Ben Woodgates

P.S. If this edition looks like it’s been cut off by your email provider, just tap “Read more” or '“View entire message” to see the full version. Or read it online here >

🧶 Crochet at the Gardens | Thu 14th 10:30am - 12:00pm at Hillcrest Library at Hamilton Gardens.
Have you always wanted to get started with crochet, but don’t know where to begin? Over 6 weeks, learn the skills you need to get started, from slip knots to working in the round.

Casabella Lane After Dark | Every Friday until 29th 5:00 - 8:00pm at Casabella Lane. Art Classes, Boutique Shopping + Late Night Eats. 

🎭 Diary of a Wimpy Kid - 60 minute version | Fri 15th - Sun 17th at Clarence St Theatre.
Grab a hall pass and get ready for a laugh-out-loud adventure that anyone who has survived middle school will recognise. 

🏉 Gallagher Chiefs vs Highlanders | Fri 15th 7:05pm at FMG Stadium.
The stakes are high, the energy is electric, and the Gallagher Chiefs are ready.

Beats by Bingo for the Choppers | Fri 15th 7:30pm at Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club.
Join for a fun night of bingo plus silent auctions to support the Waikato Rescue Helicopter. 

Collectables Market | Sat 16th 8:30am - 1:30pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
Every month, there are new stalls and exciting treasures to be found!

🌭 Hillcrest Scouts Jamboree Fundraiser | Sat 16th 10:00am at Hillcrest Park.
They will have a sausage sizzle, second hand goods, firewood, and home baking for sale. 

Urban Wine Walk | Sat 16th 12:00 - 4:00pm at The Local Taphouse.
Wander the coolest venues, taste local wines and meet the winemakers on a self-guided adventure! 

🎺 Hamilton’s Lonely Hearts Club Big Band | Sat 16th 7:00pm at The Meteor.
Jazz-tinged covers of Blackbird, Yesterday, Lady Madonna, and many, many more. 

The Southern Diplomats and Tony Daunt and the Dauntless | Sat 16th 7:30pm at Biddy Mulligans.
Hamilton's only regular Rockabilly night.

🎵 Dougspace 3 Emo Night | Sat 16th 8:00pm at Last Place.
Stray Dogs and Static, Lucy Dibble and Not Exact. 

Tron Jovi + Four Tired Dads | Sat 16th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
Dig out your day-glo leg warmers and head bands.

🏌️‍♀️ Naomh Críostóir GAA Annual Golf Fundraiser | Sun 17th 10:00am at Hukanui Golf Club.
A fun and relaxed game of golf to raise funds for the Gaelic football club and for Hamilton Land Search and Rescue.  

Embodied Creativity Session with Lisa Benson | Sun 17th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Open to writers, dancers, teachers, artists, makers, and anyone seeking to engage the creative process more directly. 

🎹 Mataatua & Beethoven Opera in Concert | Sun 17th 3:00pm at BNZ Theatre.
An evening of depth, drama and powerful storytelling you won’t want to miss. 

Alexandr Misko - The International Guitar Sensation | Sun 17th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
Bringing his stage show to New Zealand shores for the very first time! 

Pssst! Find events happening next week further down this edition!

🍔 DINNER CLUB: Been wanting to getting out and about and meet some new people? Here’s the perfect opportunity to give it a go. We’ll match you with five other Hamiltonians for dinner >

🎟️ WAIKATO FOOD SHOW: The Waikato Food Show is back for 2026! Grab your friends and family for a delicious, fun-filled day out on 11 & 12 July at Claudelands Events Centre. Use code EARLYBIRD to buy one, get one half-price on general admission tickets. Yummy tickets >

🚙 DOWN THE ROAD - DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: At just four years old, Cambridge kid Jayden Jesani wrote a 30 page book about animals and sent it to his idol as a birthday surprise - much to his mother’s surprise, a month later he got an answer back. Special memories >

✈️ SPECIAL GRASS: That lush green grass around the runway at Hamilton Airport isn’t just there to look tidy - it’s actually a specialised airport grass called Avanex Jackal, designed to help keep birds away from aircraft. The grass contains a naturally occurring endophyte that releases compounds making it less appealing to insects and birds. More cool grass facts >

🐶 PETS: Cressida is a beautiful white bunny with a gentle presence and a reserved personality - a sweet girl looking for a sweet boy. Welcome in the lovely lady >

🧩 LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: HAMILTON GARDENS. Reply and let me know what it is this week, friends!

Hamilton is set to overtake Wellington in population by 2040. New projections show our city’s population could climb to 242,716 in the next 14 years, cementing our status as New Zealand’s fastest-growing city. Read more >

70% of Hamiltonians think Hamilton is a great place to live, according to a recent survey. We’re feeling pretty positive about our city’s everyday services and neighbourhoods, including parks, libraries, rubbish and recycling, and swimming pools. We’re not feeling so great about local government. Dig into the report >

A new list of major Hamilton events has been approved for Council sponsorship. These include Endangered Species National Hui, COW Art + Design Week, Ladies Badminton Championship, NZ CrossFit Championship, World Tennis Tour Hamilton, REVCON, Equifest, and Bridge to Bridge. Multi‑year sponsored events include Round the Bridges, Hamilton Arts Festival, Z Manu World Champs, and Balloons Over Waikato. Learn about the fund >

Waikato’s hospitality community gathered on Monday evening to celebrate the best bars, cafés and restaurants at the Waikato Hospitality Awards. Among the winners crowned are hot Hamilton spots such as Reggies, Little Honey, Fergus Bar, and Volare. Check out the winners >

Waikato University’s students’ union has condemned the Government’s decision to scrap the Fees Free scheme. “Students are already facing rising rent, food, transport, course costs and living pressures. Removing one of the few supports available does not ease that pressure - it pushes more debt onto students and their whānau,” Union President Seamus Lohrey says. More from Seamus >

A new 64-bed adult acute mental health facility set to replace Waikato Hospital’s Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre has been delayed, with opening now expected in late December. The long-awaited project, first announced a decade ago, is also seeking a new name before patients move in. Read about the new facility >

Little Morning for your Preschooler | Tue 19th 10:00am - 12:00pm at Chartwell Shopping Centre.
Perfect for little ones who love to squish, pour, stack and explore. 

🧵 Come Craft | Tue 19th 10:30am at Glenview Library.
Fun and inspiring craft session designed for adults with some experience - but beginners are welcome too! 

Paint and Wine Night - Mount Taranaki  | Tue 19th 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
Get your creative juices flowing and your brush strokes going! 

🎵 Tommy Emmanuel | Tue 19th 8:00pm at BNZ Theatre.
A living legend in the world of acoustic guitar.

Get Learnt Workshop Series | Wed 20th 9:00am - 3:00pm at The Meteor.
One-day skills-based workshops providing rangatahi with practical knowledge, direct-to-industry contacts, and educational opportunities.

🎹 Instrumental Student Concert | Wed 20th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Enjoy performances from the new generation of instrumental performers at Waikato Uni.

Wintec Rotokauri Campus Information Session | Wed 20th 4:00pm at Rotokauri Wintec Campus.
Whānau friendly event is for all ages - a great opportunity to find out what Wintec has to offer. 

💃 Hamilton Salsa | Every Wednesday 7:00 & 8:00pm at 145 London Street.
$5 dollar entry fee. Come for beginner’s bachata and later social dancing including salsa, cha cha and more! 

Balloon Dog | Thursday and Friday 7:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
1800s Calcutta becomes 21C Auckland in Indian Ink’s stage adaptation of one of India’s most-loved stories, Kabuliwala. 

🎓 Waikato Uni Hamilton Campus Open Day | Fri 22nd 9:00am - 2:00pm.
Visit the beautiful Hamilton campus and see if Waikato University might be for you.

Rangatahi on the Move | Sat 23rd 8:00am - 3:00pm at Innes Common.
Join for a walk around the lake, win some prizes, and engage with other community organisations in interactive stations all around the lake.

🫖 Explore Zealong - Open Day | Sat 23rd 9:00am - 4:00pm at Zealong Tea Estate.
See behind the scenes of New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate.

🇲🇾 Malaysia Day 2026 | Sat 23rd 10:00am - 5:00pm at Claudelands.
Come and try a selection of delicacies from different parts of Malaysia! 

😆 A Night to Raise An Outrageous Fortune | Sat 23rd 6:30 - 10:30pm at Melville Rugby Club.
Join Brain Tumour Support Trust NZ for a night of fun and laughter. 

The Pink Floyd Experience | Sat 23rd 8:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
An epic live reimagining of Pink Floyd’s most powerful concept album. 

🎶 Jeannie | Sat 23rd 8:30pm at Last Place. 
Combining hip hop, funk, soul, and pop, these sets will have you covered.

Sunday Run and Walk: Gardens Gander | Sun 24th 8:00am at Hamilton Gardens. Join for a run and walk along the Te Awa river trail towards Tamahere.

🥬 Hamilton Farmers' Markets | Sun 24th 8:00am-noon at Gate 3, Claudelands.
Support local and do your weekly fresh shopping and have a coffee.

Autumn Gala | Sun 24th 12:00pm at Workingmen’s Club.
A day of fun and entertainment with activities, food and prizes for an exciting afternoon.

Get out there!

— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake