👋🏼 Hello Hamilton

I’m writing to you from the Eiffel Tower this week! Paris is beautiful, but I’m looking forward to making my way back to New Zealand soon.

My friend Sarah is picking up Hello Hamilton again this week. We’re covering the best things happening in Hamilton and local news headlines you can’t miss. First time? Join 10,000+ Hamiltonians here.

I haven’t been on the radio while I’ve been away, but did you know that FreeFM 89.0 have a new podcast? Democracy Done Right is a youth-focused podcast for first-time voters to learn all about voting for local representatives! Make sure to check it out!

🎟️ What’s happening in Hamilton this week?

Forest & Bird + Go Eco: Celebrating Environmental Action | Thu 18th 7:00pm at The Link. This event brings together passionate speakers from local initiatives who are making a real difference. Come hear their stories, connect with others who care about te taiao, and explore how we can collectively uplift nature and community wellbeing. Info. 

NZMCA Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show | Fri 19th - Sun 21st 9:00am at Mystery Creek. Come for a complete RV experience with industry leaders offering a huge selection of everything imaginable to make your outdoor lifestyle complete, or simply get expert advice. Tickets.  

Vegan Feast with Chaitanaya Charan | Fri 19th 6:00pm at Wellbeing Hub, Waikato University. Get ready to bathe in the ancient healing soundscape of Kirtan Music Meditation and hear a special guest speaker: Chaitanya Charan. Also, enjoy an all you can eat vegan feast! Tickets.  

Spring Solstice Silent Disco | Fri 19th 6:30pm at Hayes Common. Ready to kick off spring with a bang? Hayes Common’s third silent disco of the year is about to hit you like a burst of fresh air! Tickets.  

Opera Scenes - Fate and Rebellion | Friday and Saturday 7:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Seduction, obsession, and the supernatural ignite an evening of operatic drama, as a fearless company of young singers from the Waikato Conservatorium of Music present scenes from Carmen, Semele, and Die Freischütz. Tickets.  

Jazz On A Friday Night | Fri 19th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Some cool Friday night jazz. Mr Carlos Pla will put together a combo of fantastic artists. Tickets.  

Cheer Factor 2025 | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Claudelands. Join for a high-energy weekend as top cheerleaders from across New Zealand compete for the title of Cheer Factor Champion. Tickets.  

Native Plant Sale | Sat 20th 9:00am at College Place, Fairfield. Come support a great cause and get native plants for a discounted price. All funds raised go towards the excellent mahi being done at The Fairfield Project. Info.  

Women's Day of Action Hamilton | Sat 20th 11:00am - 2:00pm at Rototuna High School. Join for a community friendly event for the whole whānau. There will be health checks, kai, facepainting, speeches from workers impacted by Pay Equity and more! Register.  

Sailing Open Day | Sat 20th 11:00am - 3:00pm at Innes Common. Come along and join the Hamilton Yacht Club to give sailing a try, or to have a chat about Youth & Adult Learn to Sail Courses! Info.  

Ms Aotearoa Whakawahine/Trans Pageant | Sat 20th 6:30pm at The Meteor. Continuing on from the original Pageant in 1996 Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) Ms Aotearoa. Tickets.  

Standup Comedy Show | Sat 20th 7:30pm at Lido Cinema. Come see some of the best up and coming comics from around NZ! Tickets.  

Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 21st 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.  

Flash Fiction Panel: Power of Micro Storytelling | Sun 21st 1:30pm at Trust Waikato. This special event brings together an exciting panel of Flash Fiction writers, editors, and educators to explore the power of storytelling when you have a limited word count. Info.  

Missae Splendore | Sun 21st 4:00pm at St. Peter’s Cathedral. The Hamilton Civic Choir along with the Rotorua District Choir presents Missae Splendore. A special Waikato-BOP collaboration concert of “Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen, “Miha” by NZ’s own Takerei Komene, and so much more. Tickets.  

Pre-Navratri Festival - Garba Night | Sun 21st 6:00pm at Maui Street Event Centre. Hamilton is set to experience an unforgettable Pre-Navratri celebration with an evening full of music, dance, food, and community spirit. Tickets.  

➡️ A peek at what’s on next week!

World Car Free Day | Mon 22nd 8:00am - 4:30pm at Hamilton Transport Centre. BUSIT will be giving away free travel passes in the morning to those who travel by bus + free pies for lunch. Info.  

WSA September School Holiday Programme 2025 | Mon 22nd Sept - Fri 3rd Oct 9:00am - 12:00pm. Keep the kids creative these upcoming school holidays with a huge range of activities such as making soft toys, printmaking with Lego, play with clay and more! Tickets.  

Little Royals Mini Golf – Free School Holiday Fun | Mon 22nd Sept - Fri 3rd Oct 10:00am - 5:00pm at Chartwell Shopping Centre. Tee off these school holidays at Chartwell! This school holiday, kids can enjoy Little Royals Mini Golf — a free 12-hole adventure course right in Centre Court. Info.  

Te Reo Maaori 101 | Mon 22nd 4:00pm at St Andrews Library. Simple greetings, sentences and kīwaha to fill your basket of knowledge. Pick up basic Maaori language skills to use in everyday situations. Register.  

Fairfield Rotary Business Networking Evening | Mon 22nd 5:30 at Innovation Park. Come along and network whether you are in business or have an interest in starting a business. Info.  

Mindful Aotearoa | Tue 23rd 6:00pm at Rototuna Library. Join for a restorative workshop in honour of New Zealand Mental Health awareness week. Register.  

Hamilton East Council Candidate Debate | Tue 23rd 7:00pm at Settlement Centre. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend, your questions, and your passion for the community. Info.  

Paint and Wine Night: Water Lilies | Thu 25th 7:00pm at The Bank. Join for a creative night of drinking and painting in the heart of Hamilton! No previous painting experience necessary. Tickets.  

Hamilton City Mayoral Debate | Thu 25th 7:00pm at Settlement Centre. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend, your questions, and your passion for the community. Info.  

MAMIL 2: GOMIL | Thursday and Friday 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. One of New Zealand’s most successful plays of all time, MAMIL (Middle Aged Man in Lycra) is hitting the road in a national tour of the long-awaited sequel GOMIL (Grumpy Old Man in Lycra). Tickets.  

Community Breathwork Workshop | Fri 26th 5:45pm at Sun Salute Yoga. Come practice self-love and refill your cup through breathwork. Tickets.  

Plant Extravaganza | Sat 27th 9:00am - 2:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands. Join for a relaxed and fun day out enjoying all things plants & gardening. With heaps of stalls including indoor and outdoor plants, unique crafts, accessories, gifts, flowers, seedlings, and more. Info.

Cricket’s Back! | Sat 27th 10:00am at Seddon Park. Come to this free event to celebrate the return of the cricket season. Meet some of your favourite Northern Brave players, local clubs and enjoy a BBQ! Info.  

Your Neighbourhood - Election 2025 Edition | Sat 27th 10:00am - 1:00pm at Garden Place and Civic Square. Join for a special edition of Your Neighbourhood focused on the upcoming Hamilton City Council election and binding Māori Ward poll. This free community event is a great opportunity to learn more about Council services and meet the candidates. Info.

Spring Pop Up Market | Sat 27th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Riverlea Theatre. Spring on down to the Spring Pop Up Market happening in the Riverlea Theatre Car Park. Over 60 Stalls with art, craft, bone carving, greenstone, home-baking, plants, facepainting, food, live music and more! Info.  

Goals for Good Football Fundraiser | Sat 27th 10:30am at Porritt Stadium. Come together for a jam-packed day of football, fun, and fundraising. The day will consist of four epic football matches, live auction, raffles, food, drinks, and entertainment! Info.

Oktoberfest 2025 | Sat 27th 1:00 - 9:00pm at Good George Dining Hall. Oktoberfest is back at the home of Good George! Rally the crew, dust off the lederhosen or dirndl, and join for an afternoon packed with beer, food, music, and good times. Tickets.  

Heathen Combat presents... "One More Time" | Sat 27th 6:00pm at Zeal. After the main event of ‘Never Take Friendship Personal’, One Above All World Champion Kid Nova stood tall over Horus — only for his Nu Blood partner, Zac Hayle, to cash in his Hand of Fate axe for another shot at the title. Now, the two will clash in a thirty-minute Iron Man Match. Tickets.  

The Break In EP Release | Sat 27th 8:00pm at Last Place. NZ hardcore heavyweights The Break In are back with new music, supported by their friends — local legends Drop Off Point and Martial Law — as well as Auckland’s Heavy Step. Tickets.  

Harrowfield Market & Carboot Sale | Sun 28th 9:00am - 1:00pm at Harrowfield Park. Small businesses selling plants, toys, jewelry, candles, crystals, food, drinks and more! Info.  

Shaun Kirk - NZ Tour 2025 | Sun 28th 5:00pm at Last Place. Hailing from the music-filled streets of Melbourne, Australia, Shaun Kirk is an award-winning blues and soul troubadour recognised for his exceptional talent as a born entertainer. Tickets. 

Event organiser? Submit your event to Hello Hamilton.

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

👀 Local news you may have missed

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate believes the city can host big hitters such as Taylor Swift with a new theatre on the way and Homegrown making its return early next year. The Government announced it’s putting $40 million into securing major international events from 2026, as part of a larger $70 million tourism fund. Read. 

With voting packs arriving in Hamiltonians’ letterboxes, Hamilton City Council is making it easier (and more fun) to vote in the local election and Māori Ward Poll. Your Neighbourhood – Election Edition is a whānau-friendly event where attendees can meet council candidates, vote on-site, and bring the tamariki to enjoy the kids’ zone (and it’s free for all). Read.  

Anyone wanting the experience of seeing a show at Hamilton’s new $80 million Waikato Regional Theatre should mark off Saturday, March 28 in their diaries now. That’s when the Soweto Gospel Choir will perform in the soon-to-open facility. Read.

Homegrown organisers are signalling an at least 18-year commitment to Hamilton as they prepare to host fans in March 2026. The Claudelands venue is about 2.5 times the size of the previous venue, Wellington’s waterfront, and keeps stages within walking distance of bars, eateries and hotels, they say. Read.

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who should dance their way into spring!

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