Kia ora Kirikiriroa! It was great to meet a bunch of you at our special BNZ Theatre tours on Tuesday. Will I get to see you at our Dinner Club at Reggie’s next week? By the way - that storm?! The thunder and lightning was crazy!! Anywho, enjoy the edition and I’ll see ya out there.

— Ben Woodgates

P.S. If this edition looks like it’s been cut off by your email provider, just tap “Read more” or '“View entire message” to see the full version. Or read it online here >

Our exclusive tours of the new BNZ Theatre were a hit. Over 600 Hello Hamiltonians put their hand up for just 100 spots on the behind-the-scenes experience on Tuesday. The feedback was incredibly positive! Everyone loved it!

LAST CHANCE! You’ll regret not going to this one! It’s next Wednesday!

A social dining experience at Reggie’s. Three generous courses, served feasting-style, with a table of soon-to-be friends.

Reggie’s iconic pizzas and pastas landing in the middle of the table, plus breads, sides, bites, and a proper dessert to finish. How good? 🍝🍸🍕

👉 Come solo, or bring a mate or two, and have a great night trying something new. See you there!

Autumn in Kirikiriroa Hamilton is a great time to take stock of what needs attention after the busyness of summer. The harsh heat is gone, the calendar has quieted down, and you can finally see what needs sprucing up and what could be expanded on. 🍁

If your lawn took a beating over the warmer months, now is the window to oversow before winter sets in. Soil temperatures through April and May in Hamilton are still warm enough for good germination but the heat stress is gone, which is exactly the sweet spot for grasses to establish well and fill in any bare or threadbare patches before the cold arrives.

It's also an ideal planting window for anything feature-worthy. Substantial statement plants like Strelitzia and large-leafed tractor seat plants establish beautifully this time of year in Hamilton and give gardens real structure and drama. Strelitzia do best tucked into a frost-free spot, so worth keeping that in mind when choosing placement. 🌳

For easy-care flower colour along borders, rain lilies are a great pick right now too, low maintenance and reliably pretty. Any effort made now sets your garden up to quietly establish all winter, ready to really show off come spring.

— William Belfield

🍕 DINNER CLUB: Very last chance to grab your ticket! It’s next Wednesday! Don’t miss your opportunity to try something new in Hamilton and meet some new people. Grab your seat >

🗺️ THE HAMILTON MAP: We’re selling a local bit of art to chuck on your wall. It’s a sleek map of our home. I’ll even frame it for ya. Get yours >

🐶 PETS: Huckleberry is a sweet, loving little boy with a big heart and an even bigger appetite for life (and snacks!). Adopt Huckleberry >

🏡 PROPERTY: A riverside masterpiece positioned directly opposite the beautiful Saint Andrews Golf Course. The Italian inspired villa offers a lifestyle that is simply without parallel, in Hamilton! Be impressed >

👀 JOIN THE TEAM: Rumour has it I’m looking to growing the Hello Hamilton team. Join me? >

🧩 LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: CYCLONE. Reply and let me know what it is this week!

❤️ Mayor Tim Macindoe is inviting Hamiltonians to gather at Memorial Park on Saturday 25 April for Anzac Day dawn and civic services. He said the day remains one of the city’s most important moments of collective remembrance. See the details >

♻️ Rubbish and recycling collections in Hamilton will continue as usual on Anzac Day (observed Monday 27 April). Put your bins out by 7am on your normal collection day.

🔐 Hamilton-founded and headquartered Gallagher Security is ramping up with plans to hire up to 100 staff as it continues its strong international growth. The expansion is expected to boost product capacity for the firm, whose technology is used in more than 160 countries. Impressive stuff >

💦 Two new water reservoirs delivering 50 million litres of capacity have cleared key approvals, paving the way for construction at Lake Domain Reserve. The first 25 million litre reservoir is set to begin this year, with a second likely needed around 2040 to support growth, firefighting and essential services. The plans >

💵 Hamilton City Council is looking to reduce its reliance on external consultants after spending $134.4 million over the past three years. While no formal savings target has been set, some councillors say a cut of around one-third would be a reasonable goal. What they’re saying >.

🏡 Hamilton East’s first co-housing development is set to kick off in May with the developers hoping the project will spark a change in housing practices. The developers plan to introduce rent-to-buy schemes and prices would range from $530,000 for apartments to between $725,000 and about $1 million for townhouses. Take a look >

Waikato Construction Safety and Wellbeing Forum | Thu 23rd 2:30 - 5:30pm at Green Gorilla Huntly Transfer Station.
Valuable behind‑the‑scenes look at how construction and demolition waste is collected, sorted, and diverted from landfill.

Games Night | Thu 23rd 5:00pm at Central Library.
A night for board game fans to come together and play! 

Site Visit - Hamilton Central Library Facade | Thu 23rd 5:00pm at Edward White Architects.
Learn about this standout example of architectural innovation and technical integration. 

😂 Joel's Lair Of Laughs | Thu 23rd 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
Help Joel Vinsen choose which jokes will escape his lair…

🎵 Synth Obscura Presents: Keep It Unreal | Fri 24th 7:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
A night of electronic and synthwave music!

Hoick Album Release Tour | Fri 24th 8:00pm at Last Place.
HOICK have released their debut album.

❤️ Anzac Day Dawn Service & Civil Service | Sat 25th 6:00am & 10:00am at Memorial Park.
Join Hamilton’s 111th year of commemorations at the dawn service.

The Ninja Run | Sat 24th - Mon 27th at The Base.
Taking on 14 huge inflatables - some over 40 metres long!

NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Double Header | Sat 25th 12:00pm & 2:00pm at FMG Stadium.
Rugby league returns to FMG Stadium.

🏐 AVIS Magic v Tactix | Sat 25th 7:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
The Avis Magic take on the Tactix live at Claudelands Arena in the ANZ Premiership! 

Kia Maumahara: Voices of Remembrance | Sat 25th 7:30pm at St Peters Cathedral.
A choral concert featuring NZ composers, with soloists, brass, organ, percussion and strings, in honour of ANZAC. 

Hamilton Farmers' Markets | Sun 26th 8:00am-noon at Gate 3, Claudelands.
Support local and do your weekly fresh shopping and have a coffee.

☀️ Run, Sauna, Plunge, Oat Bros, Coffee & Flowers | Sun 26th 9:00am at Tomtit Farm.
Designed for movement, connection and setting the tone for your day ahead.

🌿 City Nature Challenge | Sun 26th 10:00am at Jubilee Park.
Raising awareness of urban biodiversity through education, interactive stalls, and hands-on stations for tamariki (children)and adults. 

Floating Meditation | Sun 26th 12:00pm at High Above.
One hour rejuvenating meditation, fully relax within the aerial hammock.

World Jazz Day | Sun 26th 2:00 - 5:00pm at Made.
Enjoy live jazz with a glass of pinot and the culinary delights Made has to offer. 

The Weed Eaters - Big Forking Tour | Tue 28th 6:30pm at Lido Cinema.
Be among the first to see the darkly comic, award-winning film already hailed as "the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a long time”. 

🧶 Knit Together | Wed 29th 10:00am at St Andrews Library.
The perfect get together for all knitters and crafters.

A TANZOS Lunchtime Showcase | Wed 29th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
TANZOS is delighted to showcase nine of Aotearoa's brightest young opera-stars-of-the-future in this varied programme of opera favourites. 

🎥 The Time Traveller's Guide to Hamilton Gardens | Wed 29th 6:00pm at Lido Cinema.
A special Q&A screening of the new documentary about our very own Hamilton Gardens.

Open Late: Pecha Kucha & Pride | Wed 29th 6:30 - 9:00pm at Waikato Museum. For Hamilton Pride, queer and takatāpui storytellers have been invited to take the stage in proud partnership with Pecha Kucha Hamilton.

Sunset Market | Thu 30th 4:30 - 9:00pm at Te Rapa Racecourse.
A new weekly Thursday night market offering an easy, mid‑week destination for after‑work catch‑ups, family dinners, and supporting local - without the pressure of large‑scale events.

Tom Scott | Fri 1st 7:00pm at BNZ Theatre.
Off the back of the release of his Aotearoa Music Chart-topping album ANITYA!

The Op Shop Car Boot Sale | Sat 2nd 9:00am - 1:00pm at 15 Ruakura Road.
Stalls, food and drink - including a sausage sizzle, barista coffee, and a bouncy castle!

📚 Ages of Pages | Sat 2nd 9:30am - 4:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Meet 140 authors and vendors, buy books and have them signed in person. 

Poetry Writing and Workshop | Sat 2nd 11:00am - 2:00pm at 25a Devon Road.
Art and Activism - a workshop for anyone wanting to build confidence and share their voice.

🎶 Split Enz - Forever Enz Tour 2026 | Sat 2nd 7:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Experience the classic songs that defined an era, live.

High Altar / Commodore 65 / Tooms | Sat 2nd 8:00pm at Last Place.
An intense crackle of spectral sounds, a shed-punk vibe, and a two-piece music band. 

Hamilton Farmers' Markets | Sun 3rd 8:00am-noon at Gate 3, Claudelands.
Support local and do your weekly fresh shopping and have a coffee. 🥬

💅 Nail Central Expo | Sun 3rd 9:30am - 5:00pm at Hamilton Distinction Hotel.
Their third expo - a trade only show with goody bags and a give away to be won. 

Have a great week. Make the most of it!

— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake