👋🏼 Hello Hamilton

Who else is loving the evenings slowly becoming lighter? Summer can’t come soon enough. I’ve had enough of my car being frozen over in the mornings!

Thanks for reading again today. First time? I’m Ben from Hamilton East 👋🏼 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 happening in Hamilton this week?

16th Annual Cheesecake Festival | Thu 14th - Sun 31st at Smith & Mckenzie Steak House. The top 8 cheesecake festival finalists across a range of schools, charities, and community organisations have been selected and now you can try them at Smith & Mckenzie! With every slice sold, $1 is given back to the organisation, as well as a $500 reward for the festival winners, so cast your vote! Info. 

Women's Adventure Group | Thu 14th and Thu 21st 10:00am-1:00pm at Pirongia Forest Park Lodge. Fancy a change? Want to do something fun? Learn something new with a group of like minded wāhine. Coffee and a climb! No experience required. Tickets.  

Exhibition - Reflex: Thought Without Thought | Aug 14th - Sept 13th 5:30pm at Hanrad Gallery. In Reflex, Sarah Munro invites viewers into a quiet, instinctual space - where watercolor becomes not a tool of control, but a collaborator in uncertainty. Info.

Beats By Bingo | Thu 14th 7:00pm at Good Neighbour. Come for a night of musical bingo featuring throw back jams, sing alongs, seat dancing and prize-winning. There might even be a dance off or an air guitar competition. Info.  

Askerne Wine Complimentary Tasting | Fri 15th 4:00-7:00pm at The Hamilton Beer & Wine Co. Askerne is a boutique family owned single estate Havelock North Winery situated in the winegrowing region of Hawke's Bay, Award Winning Wines. Come and see why everyone is loving it. Info.  

Where’s Jai | Fri 15th 8:00pm at Last Place. Where’s Jai is a fast-emerging, high-energy pop rock band from Tāmaki Makaurau, known for chaotic fun and emotionally charged shows. Come to hear their debut album live on stage! Tickets.  

No Scrubs: 90s + Early 00s Party | Fri 15th 10:00pm at The Bank. Calling all Barbie Girls, Teenage Dirtbags and All Stars: join No Scrubs for a 90s and early 00s party that will be larger than life! Dance to the best throwback tunes from 1990 - 2009! Tickets.  

Oceania Cup 2025 | Sat 16th 6:00am-6:00pm at Globox Arena. Come for the inaugural Oceania championship, a groundbreaking fitness competition that unites the vibrant cultures of the Pacific nations! Teams from across Oceania will come together to showcase their strength, endurance, and teamwork as they compete in a series of challenging CrossFit events. Tickets.  

Historical Fiction Workshop | Sat 16th 9:30am - 12:30pm at Trust Waikato. Monty Soutar offers tips from his own experience writing the Kāwai series to encourage both beginning and practising fiction writers to get their manuscript started or finished. You are guaranteed to leave the session motivated to get on with it. Tickets.  

Badminton Open Day | Sat 16th 10:30am-3:00pm at Eastlink Badminton Stadium. Nepal New Zealand Waikato Friendship Society is excited to invite all badminton enthusiasts to join a Badminton Open Day! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, come along for a fun day of friendly games, networking, and community spirit. Info.  

Azaadi Beats - Bollywood Musical Tribute | Sat 16th 6:00pm at Maui Street Event Centre. Join for a vibrant evening filled with music, dance, food, and patriotic spirit featuring a heartfelt musical tribute to India's Independence Day in true festive style. Tickets.  

The Black Flames | Sat 16th 7:00pm at Biddy Mulligans. It’s been 30 years since Aaron Gascoigne stormed Hamilton stages fronting local rock legends ColdShock — a band that left its mark on the city with raw power, sweat, and sound. Now he’s back, and this time, he’s bringing fire, brass, and a full-blown musical machine. Tickets.  

Kirikiriroa Hardcore #6 | Sat 16th 7:00pm at Mesoverse. Come and enjoy local hardcore and punk bands such as Martial Law and Hoon. This is an all ages, no alcohol event. Tickets.  

NRLW - One New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders | Sat 16th 7:15pm at FMG Stadium. Get set Waikato. The New Zealand Warriors Women are coming to Hamilton in Season 2025 with three NRLW fixtures to be played at FMG Stadium through August and September. Tickets.

Meeple Meet-Up Games Afternoon | Sun 17th 2:00-6:00pm at Melting Moments. Come for an afternoon of board games, beginner and advanced players are welcome! Enjoy a yummy drink, snack or dessert while you play and meet others. Info.  

Sunday Afternoon Karaoke | Sun 17th 2-6:30pm at Nivara Lounge. This is your invitation to come have a sing, no pressure, no judgement — just a chilled afternoon of music, fun, and giving it a go. Tickets.

Bunnings NPC: Waikato v Counties Manukau | Sun 17th 4:35pm at FMG Stadium. An afternoon showdown with the neighbours – and it’s a double-header with the FPC squad too. Bring the family, park up for two games, and get loud for your Mooloo teams.  Tickets.  

The Morning Shift:  “Is that us!” World Tour | Sun 17th 7:30pm at Clarence Street Theatre. After humble beginnings in a garage, to a record-breaking rise to the top of the podcast charts, Aotearoa’s favourite trio — Jordan Vaha'akolo, Brook Ruscoe, and Marc Peard — are taking The Morning Shift to the people. Tickets.  

➡️ A peek at what’s on next week!

Playcentre Open Week | Mon 18th - Fri 22nd 9:30-11:30am. Playcentres across the Waikato region invite whānau with tamariki from birth to school age to come along for a free visit during Playcentre Open Week. Info.  

Shama Open Day 2025 | Mon 18th 12:30-4:00pm at Shama. All welcome at 8 Liverpool Street to find out about Shama’s work as a social services agency. Come in your cultural dress, share ethnic food, enjoy dance and games. Info.  

Dental for All Community Kōrero | Mon 18th 2:00pm at The Pā, Waikato University. Come to this community event to hear from some panellists and kōrero together about the campaign for free, universal and Te Tiriti o Waitangi-consistent oral healthcare in Aotearoa. Register.  

August Little Morning for Pre-Schoolers | Tue 19th 10:00am at Chartwell Shopping Centre. Chartwell has teamed up with Toyworld to bring your little ones a morning of building, balancing, and imaginative fun with colourful block play. Info. 

Earth Turns, I Stand Still - EP Release | Tue 19th 8:00pm at Last Place. In Shade debuts their EP Earth Turns, I Stand Still tour. Featuring supporting acts, Synthesis of Self, Hoon, and Nuclear Blunt. Tickets.  

Future of Medicine 2025 | Wed 20th 5:30pm at Wintec Campus. Join for this exclusive live seminar featuring renowned Neurologist and Innovator in Metabolic Therapy, Dr Matthew Phillips as he addresses healthcare issues head on. Tickets.  

Paint and Wine Night: Goddess of the Night | Thu 21st 7:00pm at The Bank. The concept is simple - take a brush in one hand, a drink in the other and let’s paint a masterpiece! Tickets.  

Speed Dating | Thu 21st 7:00pm at Good Neighbour. Join for an exciting evening of speed dating! Speed Daters will be split into two age groups, 30-42 and 43-55, which will run simultaneously. The price includes a drink and delicious food at the break! Tickets.  

Cori Gonzalez-Macuer | Thu 21st 8:00pm at Last Place. As seen on Mean Mums, Wellington Paranormal, 7Days, Have You Been Paying Attention and cult Kiwi film, What We Do In The Shadows, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer has been one of the more unique comedy talents in NZ. Tickets.

Best of the Bee Gees | Friday 22nd 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. The Best of the Bee Gees honours the legacy of the Saturday Night Fever disco album with chart busters from the Bee Gees, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, The Trammps and others, plus special guests Debora McLane (Bee Gees niece) and Roslyn Loxton. Tickets.  

Journey To Last Place | Fri 22nd 8:00pm at Last Place. Rock/punk band Somacaine is heading over the Kaimas to the far away land of Kirikiriroa with their mates Hoick to wow the locals. Joining them will be the Tron’s very own Static. Tickets.  

Daffodil Day Parkrun | Sat 23rd 8:00am at Innes Common. Come for a parkrun around Hamilton Lake in support of Daffodil Day. Please wear yellow and bring a gold coin donation. Info.  

Hamilton Women's Lifestyle Expo 2025 | Saturday and Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm at Claudelands. The ultimate girls' day out awaits you, filled with shopping, pampering and mouth-watering indulgences, and the chance to win amazing prizes! Gather your besties and prepare for an unforgettable day. Tickets.  

Taprobana Pulse | Sat 23rd 7:00pm at the Meteor. Get ready for an unforgettable night of rhythm, soul, and Sri Lankan sound as Taprobana lights up the stage this August. From electrifying drums to heartfelt melodies, this is your ticket out of the cold and into a world of music that moves. Tickets.  

Flights of Fancy: Taonga of the Sky | Sat 23rd 7:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Multidisciplinary scientist, Monica Peters, joins OCT Ensemble in an exploration of 'Taonga of the Sky'. A juxtaposition of famous baroque music inspired by birdsong and contemporary New Zealand works championing our own bird life and those lost to us. Tickets.  

Unfinished Business - Deathnir Returns | Sat 23rd 7:30pm at The Local Tavern. Deathnir is back in Hamilton performing songs from their latest album 'Where the Wicked Meet', with support from Teraset and Rise the Wicked. Tickets.  

Natassja Kelly + Band: Ep Release | Sat 23rd 8:00pm at Last Place. Natassja Kelly is performing at Last Place in Kirikiriroa to celebrate the release of her debut EP, 'canyoufeelitafterwards?'. Supported by local artist, Mia Downing, don't miss the chance to experience the EP alongside Natassja's past discography. Tickets.  

Musical Fairy Tales: ‘Mischief in the Meadow’ | Sun 24th 3:00pm at Gallagher Academy. A fun first introduction to the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra through the musical storytime adventures of Peter, the wolf, a lion and an elephant! Suitable for all ages! Tickets.

Event organiser? Submit your event to Hello Hamilton.

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👀 Local news you may have missed

City restauranter Carl Bloxam fires up a $30k pizza oven for his latest project, Octavo, set to open on Hood Street this Thursday. This isn’t his first time transforming a space on Hood Street. His first venture, Gothenburg, opened on the site 16 years ago before moving to the river. Read. 

Builders and developers in Hamilton could have the option of fast-tracked building consents after the local body elections - if they are willing to pay more, that is. However, not all developers canvassed by the Waikato Times support the idea being floated by Hamilton city councillor and mayoral aspirant Sarah Thomson. Read.

Hamilton is embracing its identity as a rest and relaxation destination, and the city’s first fully fenced wildlife sanctuary is poised to become another jewel in the crown of that brand. Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park builds on the existing nature offerings in the city, with Hamilton Zoo, the largest zoo in the North Island, located opposite, the planetarium nearby, and Hamilton Gardens a short drive away. Read.

The new principal of a beleaguered Hamilton high school is already making his mark, just a few weeks into the job. Mangakōtukutuku College principal Jim Hay-Mackenzie, started on July 14 and is confident the school is heading in the right direction to become a “community school” - one where students achieve at the same level as others in town. Read.

A revolutionary aircraft developed in Hamilton is testing its mettle in a grueling 3800km fundraising air race in the Australian outback. The SuperPac 750XL-II, designed by Hamilton firm NZAero, is the world’s first commercial XSTOL (extremely short take-off and landing) aircraft and is already in use by the UN World Food Programme. Read.

Last year, Pixie Blake thought indoor bowls was like ten-pin bowling, now the nine-year-old is Waikato’s youngest titleholder in the sport, after a victory alongside team mates who are several decades older. She, Richard Caddy and Stefan Middleton were crowned Waikato’s best indoor bowls trio at a Champion of Champions tournament in Hamilton over the weekend. Read.

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who should dance to some 90s bangers!

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