👋🏼 Hello Hamilton

Anzac Day is a time for Hamiltonians to come together and honour the bravery and sacrifice of those before us.

In doing so we remember those to whom we owe so much, and we keep the history alive for our future generations. That’s what Mayor Paula Southgate says ahead of her speech on Friday.

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today. First time reading? I’m Ben from Hamilton East 👋🏼 and today we’re covering the details of the Anzac services on Friday, the best things happening in Hamilton this week, and news headlines from the past week that you can’t miss. Join over 7,550 Hamiltonians here.

Remember, if this email cuts off or seems incomplete, your email provider may have clipped part of it. To read the full newsletter, look for a 'View full email' or 'Read more' button at the bottom of this email.

❤️ Anzac Day Service

More than 5000 poppies will be installed on the corner of Memorial Drive and Anzac Parade again this year, and 350 white crosses will be placed in Memorial Park to acknowledge the Hamiltonians lost in conflict.

Hamilton’s 2025 Anzac Day memorial services take place at the Cenotaph in Memorial Park, on Memorial Drive. Both services go ahead regardless of weather conditions.

Dawn Service 6am

The dawn service begins at 6am, with the parade leaving the corner of Victoria Street and Anzac Parade at 5.50am. The service finishes at around 6.40am. After the service, the Waikato Rivertones Chorus and Salvation Army Band will perform at the Cenotaph.

Civic Service 10am

The civic service begins at 10am, with the civic parade leaving the corner of Anzac Parade and Memorial Drive at 9.50am. The service finishes at around 11.15am. Following the civic service, you are welcome to stay and listen to the Hamilton Brass Band and the Waikato Rivertones Chorus perform at the Cenotaph.

🎟️ What’s on in the Tron this week?

Artillery on show | Thu 24th 9:00am - 4:00pm at Waikato Artillery Museum. 105mm LS Howitzer firing at 1:00pm. Sales, stall, souvenirs, coffees, and sausage sizzle. Info.

Craft ANZAC Poppies | Thu 24th 2:30pm at Chartwell Library. This Anzac Day, come commemorate by creating beautiful paper poppy crafts. Bring your friends and family for an afternoon of creativity to make this Anzac Day special together. Info.

Club run and walk + snacks | Thu 24th 5:30pm at Hamilton Lake. Join Hamilton Roadrunners for their regular run and walks followed by some savoury snacks and Anzac biscuits! Info.

Cocktail club | Thu 24th 6:00pm at Wonder Horse. Take a journey through the history of Cocktails and a taste of 3 spirits used in 2 unique and delicious Cocktails (and sometimes other things) plus a tasty little treat. Book.

DJ Goldfinger | Thu 24th 7:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Info.

Greg Johnson’s 30th Anniversary Tour | Thu 24th 8:00pm at Last Place. Greg Johnson returns from Los Angeles, celebrating his landmark album Vine Street Stories, originally released in 1995. Tickets.

ANZAC Broadcast with Hamilton City Brass | Fri 25th 2:00pm at The Meteor. Step back in time and experience the spirit of ANZAC through the stirring sounds of brass. Presented in the style of a World War II radio broadcast, the ANZAC Broadcast will take you on a journey of remembrance, courage, and camaraderie. Tickets.

The Bookshop Detectives: Tea and Cake and Death | Fri 25th 4:00pm at Poppies Casabella Lane. Gareth & Louise Ward talk about their second Bookshop Detectives book. Free event, all welcome! Info.

Breathwork Workshop | Fri 25th 5:45pm at Sun Salute. Learn how to connect with your intuition, let go of trauma & stress, and feel more grounded. Tickets.

Friday Night Jazz | Fri 25th 8:30pm at Nivara Lounge. Jazz is great for the soul. Tickets.

Battle of the Bands | Fri and Sat 7:30pm at Biddy Mulligans. Hamilton heats for the NZ National Championship. Info.

Ages of Pages Book Fair | Sat 26th 9:30am-4:00pm at Claudelands. Discover new and exciting reads, buy books and have them signed by the author - over 90 authors are coming and selling their books personally. Info.

Boon Street Art Walking Tour | Sat 26th 2:00pm from Hamilton Central Library. With over 60+ stunning murals adorning the streets and hidden alleyways, you'll be captivated by the vibrant expressions of art that surround you. Tickets.

New Japan Tamashii Pro-wrestling | Sat 26th 6:00pm at Te Whare Mauri o Te Kōhao. New Japan Tamashii and NZ Dojo hit Hamilton for the first time ever. Tickets.

Supper Club at Everyday Eatery | Sat 26th 6:00pm. Join for the first supper club for 2025 at Everyday. 3 course dinner, $65 per person. Tickets.

Easter Roller Disco | Sat 26th 7:00pm at Hamilton Roller Skating Club. Hop into the fun at an Easter-themed skate disco for just $5 entry, including skate hire. Info.

Pride Dance Party | Sat 26th 8:00pm at Cossie Club. Tickets.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute | Sat 26th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Tributing some of the greatest Blues & Rock guitarist including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimi Hendrix. Tickets.

Hamilton Farmers’ Market | Sun 27th 8:00am-12:00pm at Claudelands. Your authentic farmers' market - fresh seasonal fruit & vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk, bread, honey, condiments - from our local farmers and producers direct to you. Info.

Daytime Latin Dance Class for Beginners | Mon 28th 9:30am and 1:00pm at St James Church. These classes are suitable for beginners, those wanting to get back into dancing after a break, and anyone in need of a 'dance break" in their day. No dance experience necessary for these casual, drop-in sessions. Info.

Operatunity Presents: Around the World in 90 Minutes | Mon 28th 11:00am at Hamilton Central Baptist Church. A stellar cast led by Karl, Marian and Ben take you on a whirlwind, worldwide, musical journey including hits from Spain, France, USA, Australia and our own kiwiana songs. Tickets.

Shrek: in te reo Maaori | Mon 28th 5:30pm at Event Cinemas Chartwell. Maaoriland Productions, in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, proudly presents Shrek in te reo Maaori. One night only! Tickets.

Fergus 5 Fun Run and Walk | Mon 28th 5:30pm from Fergus Bar and Restaurant. Free monthly 5km run/walk - the course is a 2.5km out and back course which follows a fully lit pathway. Registration is at Fergus bar and restaurant from 5:30pm and head to the start line for a 6pm start. Info.

Echoes of Italy with Qhang Luu Hong | Wed 30th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts. A series of pieces that intricately blend Liszt's personal experiences and emotions, drawing inspiration from esteemed figures such as Raphael, Michelangelo, Petrarch, and Dante. Tickets.

Yarn On Knit Night | Wed 30th 5:30pm at Quality Computer Systems. Just an excuse to hang out with other yarn enthusiasts - any fibre-craft welcome. Info.

German Chat | Wed 30th 7:00pm at The Helm. Get together, meet some people, have a beverage or nibbles like at a "Stammtisch" and celebrate the German heritage and language. Get to know other Germans or simply just to have a chat and practise the language, native or not. Info.

Paint and Wine Night | Wed 30th 7:00pm at The Bank Bar. Take a brush in one hand, a drink in the other, and paint a masterpiece - this week, a peony bouquet. Tickets.

Waikato Museum Open Late | Wed 30th till 9:00pm. Busy before 5pm? Come along after-hours to explore exhibitions, enjoy the cash bar, and catch a special event. Get the lowdown on Fresh Finds with curator Gina Matchitt. With drinks and nibbles available to purchase, you can get in the groove with DJ Hi-Vibe too. Info.

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.

👀 Hamilton headlines you may have missed

Fiscal conservative Tim Macindoe and centre-left leaning Sarah Thomson have confirmed they’ll be Hamilton mayoralty race contenders at this year’s local government elections in October. Given the number of major issues the city faces and the power of the mayor in shaping plans and budgets, the winner of this year’s race will have a huge role in setting the agenda for Hamilton’s future. Read.

Gallagher Chiefs big 46-10 win over the Highlanders puts them back on top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. It’s seen them earn a bonus point and enough of a points difference to move ahead of the Crusaders, as this year's competition continues on its incredibly tight way towards the play-offs. Read.

Decision on whether Waikato Medical School $400m dream goes ahead “on the verge of being made”. Hamilton City Councillor, former National MP, and Hamilton mayoral candidate recently gave a bullish presentation to Waikato District Council at the council chambers, saying he was “pretty confident” objections would be overcome. Read.

Parking fines cost drivers in Hamilton $948,449 in 2024. Hamilton City Council’s parking team issued 22,892 parking infringements last year, which is 5255 more than in 2023. Read.

The man behind MADE in Hamilton East has acquired all of the Waikato Farmer Trust's property assets on London Street for his next project. The Trust announced they’ve sold their commercial properties which included parking lots, commercial properties and the 6-storey office building. Read.

Hamilton Gardens has once again been awarded the Qualmark Gold Award, solidifying its status as a premier New Zealand tourism destination. The Gold Sustainable Tourism Award identifies businesses that lead the way in making New Zealand's tourism industry a world-class, sustainable visitor destination. Read.

🚧 Roadworks and closures this week

A series of streets around the city will be closed on Friday 25 April for the ANZAC Day Commemoration services.   

• Memorial Drive (from Anzac Parade to Riro Street): closed 3am – midday

• Anzac Parade (from Grey Street to Victoria Street): closed 5am – 11.15am

• Victoria Street (from Knox Street to Anzac Parade): closed 5am – 7am and 9.45am – 11.15am

• River Road / Memorial Drive (from Te Aroha Street to Anzac Parade): Road closed 5am – midday: 

Kimbrae Drive (from Korikori Green to Bourn Brook Avenue) remains closed 24/7 until Friday 25 April, for road safety improvements. 

The westbound lane of Killarney Road (from Campbell Street to the roundabout) will be closed Monday 28 April and Tuesday 29 April from 9.30pm – 5am, for the infill of concrete islands. Minor delays are expected along the rest of Killarney Road. 

One lane of Marlowe Place will be closed Monday 28 April to Wednesday 30 April from 7am – 6pm, for footpath and kerb renewal work. Residents will continue to have access. 

Ayrshire Drive (from Highgrove Road to Grandview Road) will be closed Tuesday 29 April from 7am – 5pm, for road resurfacing. Residents will continue to have access.   

Wairere Drive (from Ruakura Road to Old Farm Road) will be closed Tuesday 29 April and Wednesday 30 April from 7pm – 6am, for road resurfacing. 

Alconbury Drive (from Lavenham Place to Moonlight Drive) will be closed Tuesday 29 April from 7am – 5pm, for road resurfacing. 

Heaphy Terrace (from Boundary Road to Stanley Street) remains closed until mid-May for the Ranfurly Gully wastewater upgrade and construction of the signalised crossing by Hamilton Jamia Mosque. Businesses in the area remain open. 

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who has eaten all their Easter chocolate already!

As always, please reply to this email ([email protected]) if you have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions of Hello Hamilton. I always love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday!

— Ben

P.S. If you’re a local business doing great things, we’d love to hear from you. We’re open to thoughtful partnerships that bring value to our readers, support the Hamilton community, and keep Hello Hamilton free for all.