The new Waikato Regional Theatre (BNZ Theatre) is now open! 🎭 And I was lucky enough to attend to the Civic Opening on Monday. The Gallagher Auditorium inside is truely world-class. Check out my video recap here >

Guess what.. almost 100 Hello Hamilton Dinner Clubbers are heading out for dinner with strangers this Friday. 🕺 How good! Join the club to get in on the next one >

Alrighty friends, let’s get to it. Thanks for your support as always.

Want more? Check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Join our Dinner Club. Contribute to keep this thriving. Partner with us.

You’ve give me the greenlight ✅️ to get the ball rolling on a quarterly handcrafted snail-mail envelope jam packed with selected Hamilton goodness! A beautifully designed physical letter with stories, art, surprises, and small delights from around Hamilton.

Now I get to work. And I’m looking for contributors.

Are you passionate about something? Art, food, history, photography, writing, baking, design, your neighbourhood, your small business? I’m looking for locals who want to contribute something thoughtful, creative, and wholesome to the quarterly.

If this sparks an idea (or a “hey, I could do that”), reply to this email with a quick description of what you’re passionate about. Let’s make something lovely and local together 💌

🎵 Bazurka + Big Sigh | Thu 22nd 8:00pm at Last Place. Bazurka is a dynamic band based in Pōneke, that specializes in traditional folk songs from the rich tapestry of the Balkan states. Supported by local acoustic folk duo Big Sigh. Tickets.  

Life Drawing | Fri 23rd 12:20 - 2:45pm at St Peter's Cathedral. Join the longest running LEO Life Drawing group in Hamilton to study human anatomy and gesture of short and long poses. Normally *every* Friday afternoon. Info.  

💦 The Z Manu World Champs | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am - 4:30pm at Waterworld. Get ready to make a splash at Waterworld, the ultimate venue for the Hamilton heats of the Z Manu World Champs. Info.  

🤡 Circus in the Centre | Sat 24th 10:00am - 12:00pm at Garden Place. The lawn at Garden Place is getting turned into a lively circus zone, offering free family-friendly sessions where kids and families can explore circus skills in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Info.  

Landscape & Wildlife Photography | Sat 24th 12:00pm at Temple View. Join a photography meetup to review basic camera settings, focusing on landscape and wildlife photography, followed by some fun and challenging exercises. Tickets.  

Have-A-Go Circus | Sat 24th 1:30 - 3:30pm at Western Community Service. Black Sheep Circus is offering free, family- friendly circus zone sessions where tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau can explore circus skills in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Info. 

🎤 Sir Dave Dobbyn | Sat 24th 8:00pm at Waikato Regional Theatre. From iconic anthems to an extraordinary catalogue of deeper cuts, Dobbyn’s set promises an unforgettable journey through one of the nation’s most storied songwriting legacies. Tickets. 

🏃 Gardens Gander | Sun 25th 8:00am at Hamilton Gardens. Join for a run or walk heading along the river path towards Tamahere. Info.  

Okoriori Run | Sun 25th 11:00am - 6:00pm at Classics Museum. For Foxbody Mustang owners, join a cruise to the Okorori Hotel for lunch, departing from the Classic Museum. Info.    

Burn’s Night Ceilidh | Sun 25th 6:30 - 10:30pm at The Meteor. The Meteor’s next fundraiser night celebrates the national bard of Scotland, Robbie Burns! A full Burns supper of Haggis (or vegetarian option), neeps and tatties, and cranachan for afters. Tickets.  

Free FM is Hamilton’s community access radio station, home to a wide range of radio shows and podcasts created by people from our community, for our community.

One of those is Equal Agenda, a weekly radio show and podcast from YWCA Waikato that explores the complexities of gender equality and shines a light on the everyday discrimination women face.

Season 3 has just launched and is hosted by Charlie and Mia, who share how they first became aware of gender equality, the experiences that have shaped their views, and the issues they’re most passionate about today.

You can catch Equal Agenda on 89.0FM and freefm.org.nz midday Wednesdays (repeated 3pm Fridays and 11am Sundays), or listen anytime as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Free FM online.

🪷 Floating Meditation with Sound Bowls | Mon 26th 2pm and 4pm at High Above. Relax and enjoy a one-hour rejuvenating meditation suspended in an aerial hammock, while surrounded by the tranquil vibes of crystal sound bowls. Try something different >

💪 Les Mills Free Outdoor Workout Class | Mon 26th 5:30 - 7:00pm at Garden Place. Every Monday until the 9th of February, enjoy a free outdoor class with Les Mills where everyone is welcome! Info.  

Sew Sessions | Tue 27th 10:00am - 12:00pm at Dinsdale Library. If you’re a beginner to sewing machines or already know what you’re doing, join for some sewing workshops! Register.

🤣 Jimmy Carr - Laughs Funny | Tue 27th 8:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre. If you like fast-paced, edgy one-liners then get ready to be happy. Jimmy Carr is going back on tour with his brand-new show ‘Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny’. Tickets.  

Growing With Nature | Wed 28th 10:30am at St Andrews Library. Explore simple ways to grow more food with less effort, using the patterns nature already uses. The session includes small-space ideas, easy ways to get started and practical habits that make your garden easier to manage over time. Register.  

🎥 The Choral Screening | Wed 28th 10:30am at Lido Cinema. The Morning Tea screenings return with the wonderful film The Choral. This smash hit is finally released after sold out festival screenings. $14.50 ticket includes a coffee/tea and a sweet treat. Tickets.  

Scam Prevention Workshop | Wed 28th 11:00am at Chartwell Library. Join an informative workshop designed to help you stay safe from scams. Learn practical tips and discover how to protect yourself and your whaanau from online and phone-based fraud. Register.  

🎨 Art in the Making | Fri 30th 9:00 - 11:30am at Arts for Health. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to refresh their abilities, this hands-on class lets you explore pencil, paint, clay, and more. Tickets.  

Creative Spaces for Tweens | Fri 30th 12:30 - 2:00pm at Arts for Health. A creative space where tweens can connect, express, and thrive! Perfect for socialising and building supportive friendships, these arts therapy sessions combine meaningful, hands-on activities with wellbeing and transition support. Tickets.  

🛹 Pop Up Skate Park | Fri 30th - Sun 1st at Civic Park. Summer in the city is here! The Hamilton City Council is partnering with community groups across Hamilton Kirikiriroa to bring the central city to life with a vibrant lineup of activities for all ages. Info.  

Alien Hunter with Friendlyjordies | Fri 30th 7:30pm - 9:00pm at Playhouse Theatre. Get ready for a comedy show that’s truly out of this world. Friendlyjordies is diving deep into the UFO phenomenon. Tickets.  

🎶 Half/Time UK 2026 Fundraiser Tour | Fri 30th 8:00pm at Last Place. Half/Time are headed back to the UK at the end of April so they’re hitting the road for a fundraising tour across Te Ika-a-Māui. Tickets. 

Stories in the Garden | Sat 31st 10:00am at Garden Place. Come on a magical adventure under the trees in Garden Place Enjoy an hour of storytelling and games with Batman and Wonder Woman from Enchanted Entertainment. Info.  

🌸 Hamilton Dahlia Society 60th Jubilee Show | Sun 1st 11:00am - 4:00pm at Hamilton Gardens. Dahlia provide a wide range of colour and flower form and size in the summer garden. From pompom to decorative and the cactus types....which are your favorites? Info.  

There was a palpable sense of elation at the BNZ Theatre on Monday night as the $80 million venue opened its doors for the inaugural production. For most of the full house attending the locally made showcase To The Stars/Ki Ngā Whetū, it was their first proper glimpse of the carefully hidden Gallagher Auditorium. Read.

Hamilton’s downtown is set for a transformation with the BNZ Theatre, with mayor Tim Macindoe thrilled with the quality of the new venue. They expect a snowball effect of development, including the arrival of the new Pullman and, later, the Templeton hotels in the central city, as well as the ongoing Union Square office and retail development in Alexandra St. Read.

Waikato’s housing market has turned a corner, with data revealing a 2.3% rise in home values over the three months to December and a 0.4% lift year-on-year. QV Hamilton registered valuer Marshall Wu said momentum had improved heading into summer, with seasonal factors alongside the recent OCR reduction supporting a modest lift in activity. Read.

The first sign that some big developments are on the way for Hamilton’s “Hill of Justice” has appeared, with the construction of a temporary driveway leading up to the old courthouse. The access will allow trucks to remove asbestos from the building, and it’s not the only major courthouse job getting under way, with earthquake strengthening of the Hamilton District Court is set to begin in April. Read.

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today! As always, please direct reply to this email if you have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions of Hello Hamilton. I’m all ears!

— Ben and Sarah