Having a good week? After a run of very crisp winter mornings ❄️ Hamilton is seeing some winter rain. I’m personally quite happy to trade the -2.0°C we felt on Sunday morning for some rain!

I’d like to hear what you think about something. I’m currently assembling a small team (like the Avengers..) to capture some of the stories around Hamilton that mainstream media miss.

Interesting things worth knowing about that better connect us to Hamilton. News that helps us explore and understand our city. Exciting stories about this place that aren’t told anywhere else.

I just need to know where to share them. Do me a solid and let me know? As always, our community gets to decide. ⬇️

Anyways, lots happening this week - I’ll let you get out there and enjoy it!

— Ben

🧪 School Holiday Science | Fri 17th 10:00am - 4:00pm at Chartwell.
Free hands-on discovery, exciting experiments and mind-blowing science for kids.

💦 Splash Attack | Fri 17th 11:00am - 2:00pm at Waterworld.
One day only! $12pp includes hydroslides, dive boards, inflatables and swim entry. 

🔎 Mystery After Dark | Fri 17th 4:45pm at Waikato Museum.
Move through the galleries and solve clues to make the ultimate discovery.

🧩 Escapist Board Game Club | Fri 17th 6:00pm at Escapist
Try new games and make new friends with a built in ice-breaker.

🤣 Hilarious Comedy Hypnosis Show | Fri 17th 7:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
As seen on Seven Sharp, Haiming Jiang brings his hit show to Hamilton!

🎼 Phileo Quartet | Fri 17th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
The unique sound, style, and traditions of the Vienna Philharmonic.

💿 Collectables Market | Sat 18th 8:30am - 1:30pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
Hundreds of interesting items for sale and friendly stallholders.

🪀 Kids Toy Sale | Sat 18th from 9:30am at Chartwell Cooperating Church.
Toys, games, puzzles, books, ride on toys + open cafe with yummy treats.

🙌 Easy Moves | Sat 18th 10:00am at Rototuna Library.
Designed specifically for senior people to improve flexibility, enhance wellbeing, and social connection.

🎓 University of Waikato Community Open Day | Sat 18th 10:00am - 1:00pm.
Learn about the Uni’s flexible learning options, scholarships and the support services.

🌱 Matariki Multicultural Tree Planting | Sat 18th 10:30am - 1:30pm at Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park. EarthDiverse and Waikato Interfaith Council’s annual community-wide event.

👚 Preloved Fashion Market | Sat 18th 10:30am - 2:00pm at 26 Delamare Rd. Helena’s first preloved clothing sale to raise funds for Scout Jamboree.

🎶 Hamtown Smakdown 2026 | Sat 18th 3:00 - 10:00pm at The Meteor. Music for all ages featuring Martial Law, Horsefly, Speed, Megahowler and much more! 

🥗 Plant-based Potluck | Sat 18th 6:00pm at Trust Waikato Community Rooms.
Waikato Vegan’s are hosting. Cheese theme, bring an dish, all welcome!

🕺 Flashback to the 80s - Frisky Business | Sat 18th 8:00pm at Last Place.
Think neon lights, big hair, wild outfits, and all the iconic hits played live and loud! 

🥬 Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 14th 8:00am - 12:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
A Sunday classic for Hamiltonians. From local farmers and producers direct to you.

🏃 LEAP’s final day | Sun 19th from 10:00am at LEAP Hamilton.
Come for a final play session, laser tag game, party, ice cream, or slushy.

🏀 Harlem Globetrotters | Sun 19th 1:30pm at Claudelands.
Experience the team that redefined basketball!

🎺 Pink Rhythm & Groove | Sun 19th 2:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Bras and Brass, with Hamilton Brass Band, raising funds for breast cancer research. 

🎵 Speed (Aus) | Sun 19th 5:00pm at Last Place.
Australian hardcore staples SPEED has flown across the Tasman.

SOCIAL STRANGERS: We’ve cooked up another fun experience in Hamilton. Meet some new people in an exciting, memorable way: tackling an escape room with a personality-matched group of Hamiltonians. Give it a go, and bring a mate if you’d like. Secure your ticket >

DISCOUNT: Use code HELLOHAMILTON to unlock 10% off tickets for the One NZ Warriors vs Knights game at FMG Stadium on Saturday 8 August. How good! 🏉 Tickets >

WANTED: I’m looking for curious people who love Hamilton and enjoy discovering what's happening here. Hello Hamilton is building on it’s mission to help locals feel more connected to this place and soon starting original reporting on stories that the mainstream media misses. 👀 Become a Hello Hamilton reporter >

HAMILTON MAP: Did you know I’m selling a map that I commissioned from a Kiwi geographer, printed locally, and framed for you in my very own living room? Support Hello Hamilton with style. Grab some local artwork >

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Did you know the Hamilton Hotel has burnt down twice? 🔥 Learn its history >

BECOME A MEMBER: It personally costs me around $1,000 a month to produce Hello Hamilton - from online hosting fees and the tech behind the scenes, to paying young local talent. To keep Hello Hamilton human-written, independent, and ad-minimal, please consider becoming a paid member. ❤️ Support Hello Hamilton >

SCRAMBLE: Last weeks answer was MATARIKI. What’s this weeks?

⚔️ Long Sword Beginners Course | Tue 21st 6:30pm at Masters Ave, Hillcrest.
Learn how to fight with a 15th century Longsword.

🇮🇳 Mudras to Motifs | Wed 22nd - Sat 25th 11:00am at The Meteor.
Indian cultural dance and jewellery exhibition.

🧘 Lunchtime Floating Mediation | Wed 22nd 12:00pm at High Above.
Mid week reset - floating mediation with sound bowls to rejuvenate and calm.

🎲 Family Game Night | Wed 22nd 6:00pm at Escapist.
If your kids love boards game but you don't have time to learn the rules, bring the whole family for an outing to Escapist and save time!

🧠 Quiz Night | Wed 22nd 6:30pm at The Keg Room.
Raising money for the Waikato University Hockey Club.

🎨 Glow in the Dark Paint Party | Wed 22nd 7:00pm at The Bank.
Ultra violet lights and neon nights!

🧵 Yarn-Crafters Group | Thu 23rd 11:00am at Rototuna Library.
A casual social group for crocheters, knitters, and yarn-crafters of all skill levels.

⭐️ Make your Super go further | Thu 23rd 11:00am at Pukete Neighbourhood House.
Learn how to make the most of your retirement income.

🎤 Oscar Dowling Album Release Tour | Thu 23rd 7:00pm at Last Place.
Following the upcoming release of his sophomore album. 

🎹 Beethoven Unwrapped | Fri 24th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy.
Experience the elegance, joyfulness and mischief of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in a way you’ve never heard before.

🤘 Trauma Party and The Death Spell | Fri 24th 7:30pm at Last Place.
Waiheke Island post-punk juggernauts and Auckland heavy-psych rock trio.

🤣 Jack Ansett | Fri 24th 7:30pm at The Meteor.
As seen on Taskmaster - bringing his show to Hamilton’s for one night only!

🪩 Mid-Winter Retro Fair | Sat 25th 9:00am - 2:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
Stall holders will have a huge range of genuine retro items for sale.

👶🏻 Waikato Baby Expo | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Claudelands.
Discover all you need to know for you, your pregnancy, or your young child.

🧶 Fibretron | Sat 25th 10:00am - 4:00pm at Mystery Creek.
This festival is the ultimate destination for yarn and fibre enthusiasts.

🌿 Plantathon | Sat 25th 11:00am - 1:00pm at Tauhara Park.
Hamilton City Council has set a goal to increase Hamilton's vegetation to 10% by 2050!

🏃 Waiwhakareke Relay | Sat 25th 12:30pm at Waiwhakareke Heritage Park.
A fun yet challenging afternoon of racing at the beautiful Waiwhakareke Reserve.

💃 West Coast Swing Workshop | Sat 25th 6:30pm at Claudelands Bowling Club.
The workshop will cover fundamentals of connection, frame, and partnering skills.

🪁 Matariki Kite Day | Sun 26th 10:30am - 2:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Bring your whaanau to Turtle Lake Hill for a morning of kites, creativity, and connection.

🎵 Vera Ellen - Heaven Knows What Time | Sun 26th 7:30pm at Last Place.
Award-winning artist releases her new album Heaven Knows What Time.

As always, thanks very much for your support friend!

Please hit reply with any feedback or suggestions for future editions of Hello Hamilton. I’d love to hear from you. Have a great week!

— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake