👋🏼 Hello Hamilton
The world of Hello Hammy is looking bright for 2026!
230 Hamiltonian’s have joined our dinner club (join here), with a couple of trial dinners happening this side of Christmas before a full launch in the new year.
Hundreds of Hello Hamilton Cards (now sold out) have been hand delivered this week, with a few more making their way to letter boxes now. 📬
And have you visited our social media recently? From the best fish and chips in Hamilton and a competition to win a Hamilton Gardens MyGardens annual pass, to a Hamilton Christmas lights trail and uncovering Hello Hamilton Wrapped 2025 - there’s heaps going on. See Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Alongside all that, the OG Hello Hammy e-publication you’re reading right now remains strong as ever. And this week, we’ve even got a word from our Mayor! Read on, and enjoy. First time here? I’m Ben from Pukete 👋🏼 Join 10,000+ Hamiltonians here.
We’re taking a break next week - next Thursday is Christmas day! That crept up quick! Thanks so much for your support across this first year of Hello Hamilton. Your engagement and feedback means a lot to me. See you next year 😎 — Ben
🏛️ Kia ora from Mayor Tim Macindoe
Hello Hamilton! It’s a privilege to serve as your new Mayor.
Hamilton has been our home for many years. I was Hamilton West’s MP for 12 years; my wife Anne and I raised our daughters here, and now we’re proud grandparents, which reminds me why building a strong and financially sustainable future for this city matters.
My first eight weeks have been full and productive. Our new Council team underwent extensive induction; I’ve taken part in Local Government New Zealand’s Mayor School; presented civic awards to outstanding Hamiltonians, including a prestigious Hamilton Kirikiriroa medal to former MP and Deputy Mayor, Martin Gallagher; connected with community groups, businesses, and developers, and attended events that celebrate the talent, diversity, and spirit of Hamiltonians and organisations that make our city such a special place to live.
I also presented The Mayor’s Plan for 2025–2028, which sets a clear direction in response to what Hamiltonians have asked for - a Council that is responsible with ratepayer money, protects important services and facilities, and invests carefully in our city’s future. The Plan strengthens the existing strategies and partnerships that ground us, and positions Hamilton to lead confidently through the challenges, opportunities and wave of central government reforms confronting us, including rates caps, the proposed disestablishment of regional councils, and a new planning system for the Resource Management Act.
Our city continues to evolve with exciting development happening in every corner: from the new Waikato Regional Theatre and four-star hotels in our CBD, to the fabulous eatery and market Made in Hamilton East, to the creation of new residential areas in Peacocke and Rotokauri, including the Pekapeka Bridge and the Rotokauri Greenway, that will support families for generations, and I’m excited that construction of New Zealand’s third medical school is now underway at Waikato University.
I wish every Hamiltonian a wonderful festive season with whaanau and friends. Please take care in our waterways and on our roads and enjoy our city’s offerings over summer, including Gourmet in the Gardens, the Hamilton Arts Festival, and the incredible line-up of shows at the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre in the New Year.
Thank you also to those who keep us safe, and our city running, over the holiday period, including emergency services, healthcare workers, and the dedicated teams who operate our libraries, parks, pools, Museum and Zoo, for all to enjoy.
Hamilton is a wonderful place to live. Council is committed to protecting and strengthening the services, facilities, and attractions that make our city special, now and in the future.
Merry Christmas everyone!
🗳️ HAVE YOUR SAY: Would you like to hear from the Mayor again in Hello Hamilton?
👀 What’s happening this week?
Garden Story Trail | Thu 18th - Sat 27th at Hillcrest Library, Hamilton Gardens. Take a stroll and enjoy a story in the great outdoors! Read, and explore together as pages from a children’s book are displayed along a scenic path near Hillcrest Library at Hamilton Gardens. Get there.
🎄Christmas Club | Thu 18th 10:00am - 7:00pm at Mill Street Pak’nSave. Get ready, team Christmas Club 2025 is going BIG! Expect crazy deals, yummy tastings, and epic prizes you won’t want to miss! Get some bargains.
🎶 Carols in the City | Fri 19th 5:00pm at Garden Place. A magical evening filled with live entertainment, delicious food, and the Christmas spirit right in the heart of Hamilton! Have some festive fun!
Final Impact | Friday and Saturday 8:00pm at Clarence St Theatre. Final Impact bursts back onto the stage for one last dazzling celebration, marking the grand finale of this beloved cabaret dance series. You gottaaa grab some tickets.
Ugly Christmas Shirt Day Parkrun | Sat 20th 7:50am at Waikato University. Wear your most festive attire, come for a run, a walk or a volly, and if you are lucky there may be some Christmas treats! I know you’ve got a good shirt..
🏃♂️ Hamilton Lake Parkrun - Grinches Christmas | Sat 20th 8:00am at Hamilton Lake. Christmas, just isn't Christmas without a bit of Grinching. Support your favourite, wear green if you think you are a Grinch or wear red if you are all about Santa. Festive running!
Cossie Kids Christmas Party | Sat 20th 11:00am - 2:00pm at Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club. Bring the whānau along for a fun-filled Christmas celebration at the Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club. Head along.
📸 Nature Photography Meetup | Sat 20th 12:00pm at Te Awa Road, Tamahere. Join this session for tips on how to use your camera settings to creatively capture nature in a visually interesting way. Book.
Christmas on the Hood | Sat 20th 6:30pm - 11:00pm at Patrons Bar. Enjoy a plate of BBQ meats, a glass of Patrons craft beer, or bubbles and a live 5 piece band playing Funk, soul, R&B, Jazz with a C'mas overture. Sounds like fun - tickets here.
🎵 Pleasure P – “A Night of Pleasure” | Sat 20th 7:00pm at The Factory. Performing his timeless solo hits and Pretty Ricky anthems live, this is the ultimate throwback for R&B lovers. Groovy stuff - tickets.
Night at the Movies | Sat 20th 7:30 - 11:00pm at The Studio. Come for the celebration of The Studio’s instructors and students with a range of different incredible performances in pole, aerials and more! Grab tickets.
🎅 The Greatest Christmas Show | Sun 21st 4:00 - 6:00pm at Clarence St Theatre. The Greatest Christmas Show is New Zealand’s #1 family Christmas event, blending heartwarming moments, spectacular magic, and world-class entertainment into one unforgettable night. Get festive and book now.
Gourmet In the Gardens | Sun 21st 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. Last one before Christmas!
Hello Hamilton East, I’m your Member of Parliament 👋🏼
Stay safe this festive season.
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🕺 Before the end of the year:
Flying Christmas Craft | Mon 22nd 2:00pm at Hillcrest Library, Hamilton Gardens. Join for a hands-on craft session where you’ll design festive Christmas cards, then fold them into paper planes ready to take flight and deliver holiday cheer! Get crafty.
🤣 Hamilton Comedy Night | Tue 23rd 7:30pm at Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club. Wesley is a touring comedian, he has produced over 45 of his own shows across the country! He has perfected his 1 hour solo performance and is sure to make you laugh. Have a laugh - tickets here.
🏏 Northern Brave vs Auckland (Double Header) | Fri 26th 2:10pm and 6:20pm at Seddon Park. Join for the opening match of the 2025–26 Super Smash and celebrate Boxing Day at Seddon Park as cricket returns for the summer. Be there.
Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 28th 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. A classic but a goodie.
Free Community School Holiday Fun | Mon 29th - Fri 2nd at Pet Community House. Come by for a range of fun activities for kids such as a lego room, hopscotch, trampoline, swings and a pool. Plus come cuddle, feed and play with all the animals! Take the kids.
🎇 Community New Years For All Ages | Wed 31st 10:00am - 1:00am at Pet Community House. BBQ, fire-pit, skids, drinks, fireworks, heaps for the kids to do and a new place to call home. Let's get the community together for a huge New Years! Happy new year!
🕺Club Zion - NYE | Wed 31st 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Synth Obscura presents Club Zion, Featuring visuals, props and music from and inspired by the films and a 5 hour DJ set from DJ Goldfinger. Party it up - tickets.
New Year's Eve Party | Wed 31st 8:00pm at SkyCity. This New Year's Eve, SkyCity Hamilton is turning back the clock with a full-blown Disco-themed celebration - glitter, groove and good vibes guaranteed. Keep the party going.
REPORT |
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WEATHER T 🌦️ 13/21 | F ⛅️ 14/21 | S 🌦️ 10/19 | S ⛅️ 11/20 |
SUNRISE 5:52 am SUNSET 8:39 pm |
RIVER QUALITY Mixed FIRE DANGER Low/Moderate |
PETS Ramone the sweet doggy, Mr Whiskerton the cat |
WINS Local Gallagher Group wins New Zealand’s best large exporter at the NZ International Business Awards. From the Waikato to the world! |
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY Heading out of town? Use NZTA’s holiday journey planner to check traffic predictions before you leave. |
🙌 Hamilton news you may have missed!
🚂 The future of Hamilton’s Te Huia rail service remains uncertain, with Waikato Regional Council looking at asking for an extra year of trial time. Hamilton City, Waipā District, and Waikato District councils have all supported the service, and Hamilton City has invested significantly in local rail infrastructure. Read.
✨ What began in 2016 as a fun Christmas lights display for Rochelle and Nathan Wells has grown into an event that now attracts hundreds of visitors and gives back to the community. After their son Jack was born prematurely and spent time in neonatal care, the Wells family began using their festive display to raise donations for The Little Miracles Trust, and this year are also supporting Kids in Need Waikato. Read.
🏰 Hamilton will soon offer a window into a medieval ‘hospital’ - without the stress of the bubonic plague. The Medieval Gardens are set to open next year at Hamilton Gardens, with much of the work already complete, including a 12-metre-tall bell tower and cloisters inspired by medieval monasteries, and an apothecary garden drawing on St John of the Hermits in Sicily. Read.
🐴 Plans to amalgamate three Waikato racing clubs at a new purpose-built racecourse and event centre are clear of the starter’s box with the “perfect location” being scoped out in Tamahere. The proposal could also see about 50 hectares of prime central Hamilton land at the current Te Rapa Racecourse sold to help fund the development. Read.
🐦⬛ A striking new artwork depicting a tūī in flight has been added to the Te Awa River Ride, stopping walkers and cyclists in their tracks along the Waikato River. The piece is the latest addition to a growing outdoor art gallery taking shape between central Cambridge and the Grassroots Trust Velodrome. Read.
That’s all for today, team! We’ll be back in 2026.
Merry Christmas - stay safe.
— Ben and Sarah
