👋🏼 Hello Hamilton
Hey friends, a couple of giveaways for you this week + your last chance to grab a ticket to meet some new people next week. Check out our escape room with strangers experience >
Plenty on in the Tron this week, as always. What a place to be. By the way, do you love this place and are a keen writer OR good at social media? I’d love to hear from you >
Have a great week, and see you out there friend!
— Ben
P.S. There’s heaps in this one. 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 online here >
🫵🏼 HAVE YOUR SAY: What's one of your favourite Hamilton restaurants?
What’s happening this weekend?
Thursday, 23rd July
🧵 Yarn-Crafters Group | Thu 23rd 11:00am at Rototuna Library.
A casual social group for crocheters, knitters, and yarn-crafters.
⭐️ 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.
Friday, 24th July
🎹 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!
Saturday, 25th July
🪩 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 2026 | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Claudelands.
Discover all you need to know for you, your pregnancy, or your young child.
🚙 4x4 Open Day | Sat 25th 10:00am at 4x4 Zone Hamilton. Check out the latest products and upgrades for your vehicle.
🧶 Fibretron 2026 | 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.
The City Council wants to increase Hamilton's vegetation to 10% by 2050!
🥘 International Kitchen for Matariki | Sat 25th 11:00am - 1:00pm at Rototuna Library.
Bring some tasters and fall in love with some national cuisines.
🏃 Waiwhakareke Relay | Sat 25th 12:30pm at Waiwhakareke Heritage Park.
A fun challenging afternoon of racing.
💃 West Coast Swing Workshop | Sat 25th 6:30pm at Claudelands Bowling Club.
The workshop will cover fundamentals of connection, frame, and partnering skills.
🎶 Seasonal Disorder | Sat 25th 7:00pm at Biddy Mulligans.
Dolphin Drive, Tria, Mondogreen, and Exotic Minds.
Sunday, 26th July
🏃 Sunday Run and Walk | Sun 26th 8:00am at Hayes Common.
Join for a run and walk along the river path.
🌷Waikato Orchid Show | Sun 26th 9:00am - 3:00pm at Hamilton Gardens Pavilion.
Orchids for sale along with expert advice on growing and caring for orchids.
🐕 Dog Day | Sun 26th 10:00am - 5:00pm at The Sculpture Park.
Enjoy a wander with your beloved four-legged friend.
🪁 Matariki Kite Day | Sun 26th 10:30am - 2:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Bring your whaanau to Turtle Lake Hill for a morning of kites and creativity.
Scot Hall Voice Studio Winter Vocal Showcase | Sun 26th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Join Scot Hall and his vocal students for an afternoon of beautiful singing.
🎵 Vera Ellen - Heaven Knows What Time | Sun 26th 7:30pm at Last Place.
Award-winning artist releases her new album Heaven Knows What Time.
🎉 GIVEAWAY: We’ve got a double pass to give away to Sunday’s Vera Ellen gig at Last Place! Keen? Just reply to this email letting us know who you’d bring with you to enter the draw. Winners drawn Friday night.
Is your home feeling wet and cold?
A lot of older homes across Hamilton lose heat through the ceiling and floor. Good insulation helps your home stay warmer for longer, keeps the damp out, and can help lower your power bills. 🏠
If you're a homeowner living in a house built before 2008, you may qualify for an insulation grant, giving you 50–90% off the cost of your insulation.
Proudly New Zealand owned and operated, Premier Insulation manufactures its polyester insulation locally and has helped thousands of Kiwi homeowners enjoy warmer, healthier homes.
If you've been putting off insulating your home, this winter could be the ideal time to take advantage of the support available: Premier Insulation can confirm your eligibility for the grant and provide a no-obligation quote for any insulation work required.👇
Ben’s Bulletin
SOCIAL STRANGERS: Last chance to grab a ticket! Meet some new friends over an escape room in Hamilton next week. 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 >
GIVEAWAY: CatVideoFest returns to Event Cinemas Chartwell from 15 August, bringing together the latest and greatest cat videos from around the world in one hilarious, heartwarming big-screen event. Reply with the name of your favourite cat, and you’ll go in the draw to win a double pass. See tickets >
SCRAMBLE: Last weeks answer was ROTOTUNA. What’s this weeks?
Hello Hamilton East, I’m your Member of Parliament 👋🏼
Hello Hamilton costs hundreds of dollar to produce every week.
This sponsored spot helps keep Hamilton free for all.
Could your business go here? >
What’s on next week?
Monday, 27th July
♻️ Low-Waste & Squeaky Clean | Mon 27th 2:00pm at Rototuna Library.
Reduce your waste and save money with these easy DIY cleaning recipes.
Tuesday, 28th July
🚔 Sirens and Stories | Tue 28th 10:30am at Central Library.
Hamilton’s friendly Police officers, Firefighters, and Ambulance crew share their stories and smiles.
📍Simplifying Local Government | Tue 28th 5:00pm at The Atrium.
An insightful panel featuring four Waikato council chief executives.
📸 Creative Photography Workshop | Tue 28th 7:25pm at Melville Methodist Church.
Waikato Photographic Society invites local photographers of all skill levels to their July workshop night.
Wednesday, 29th July
⏰ Time Management Workshop | Wed 29th 8:30am - 4:30pm at Innovation Park.
Learn how to prioritise, how to handle interruptions, plan ahead, beat common time wasters, delegate and much more.
🎨 Nature in Your Hands exhibition | Wed 29th July - 15th August, 11:00am at The Meteor.
Explore the fragility of NZ’s native wildlife through acrylic paintings.
🎻 Solo Cello Recital | Wed 29th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Lunchtime recital with three landmark works.
⭐️ Te Ohomauri o Matariki | Wed 29th 5:30pm at Waikato Museum. Esteemed artists revisit the origins of the much-loved public artwork.
🕺 Weekly Dance Fitness Class | Wed 29th 6:30pm at Rototuna High.
De-stress, have fun, lose weight, boost your confidence & connect.
🍷 Paint and Wine | Wed 29th 7:00pm at The Backyard Bar and Eatery.
Explore fluid colour mixing, delicate brushwork, and create your own watercolour artwork… in a bar!
🤣 Daylight Saving comedy show | Wed 29th July - 1st August, 7:00pm at The Meteor.
An award-nominated comedy by Melanie Allison.
Thursday, 30th July
🧑🌾 Meet the Gardeners | Thu 30th 2:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Behind‑the‑scenes presentations followed by Q&A and afternoon tea.
♻️ Waste-Ed with Kate | Thu 30th 6:00pm at Central Library.
A workshop for those who want real-world solutions on how to waste less.
🏉 NPC - Waikato vs Bay of Plenty | Thu 30th 7:00pm at FMG Stadium. Kicking off the NPC season!
Friday, 31st July
🤣 Hayley Sproull | Fri 31st 6:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
What happens when a 36 year old walking tornado heads back out on the prowl after 15 years off?
😂 Alan Davies | Fri 31st 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Returning to New Zealand with his brand-new stand-up show.
Saturday, 1st August
🥾 Op Shop Car Boot Sale | Sat 1st 9:00am - 1:00pm at 15 Ruakura Road.
Stalls, food and drink, sausage sizzle, barista coffee, and a bouncy castle.
🌿Plant Sale | Sat 1st 9:30am - 1:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Friends of Hamilton Gardens' monthly plant sale.
🧑🎨 Artists Talk | Sat 1st 11:00am at Artspost Galleries.
Join Painter Jennie De Groot and Glassmaker Di Tocker.
💍 Waikato Wedding Affair | Sat 1st 12:30 - 5:00pm at The Atrium. Everything from wedding gowns, florists, jewellers, caterers, cake designers, photographers, entertainment and more.
🎭 HGHS & HBHS Production | Sat 1st 7:30pm at Hamilton Girls' High.
Mistaken identities, clever disguises, love triangles, music, and dance.
🎶 Moonfest | Sat 1st 7:30pm at Last Place.
It's Moon's birthday – and to celebrate, they're playing live at their favourite venue with some of their favourite bands.
🎸 Devilskin | Sat 1st 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Performing the entirety of their chart-topping 2016 album.
Sunday, 2nd August
🎻 Violin Music | Sun 2nd 4:00pm at St Peter’s Cathedral.
A captivating afternoon of music by European composers from seven countries, concluding with The Victorious Nightingale.
As always, thanks for your support.
— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
