๐๐ผ Hello Hamilton
It was great to meet so many Hello Hamiltonians at Dinner Club on Tuesday!
100+ club members took a brave little step and dined with strangers at restaurants across Rototuna, and many of them kept the night going at the Good Neighbour afterwards. They werenโt strangers for long!
The after gathering was popping off (as the cool kids say).
PLENTY on in the Tron this week, as always. Iโll let you get to it.
โ Ben
P.S. If this edition ends abruptly, some of it mayโve been chopped off by your email provider! Read this full letter on the web instead >
Hello Hamilton tries Badminton?
Alvin, Dennis, and Will met at Dinner Club a little while ago. Theyโve since become good mates, and now theyโre giving ๐ธ badminton a go.
They invited me along for a hit last week, and we got chatting about starting a relaxed little social club. Nothing serious - just book a courts, invite some Hamiltonians along, and have a fun evening giving it a go. A great way to meet new people.
Keen to join us? Come along to The Peak in Rototuna on Monday 7 September, 5:30 - 7:30pm. Itโs free to come along, and absolutely no badminton or sport experience needed. You can rent a racquet for $1 if you donโt have one.
Whatโs happening this weekend?
Thursday, 27th August
โ๏ธ Winter Tea and Talk Series | Thu 27th 3:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Join Hamilton Gardensโ expert gardening team for an afternoon of insight, conversation and connection.
๐ฌ NZ International Film Festival | Thu 27th August - Wed 9th September at Lido Cinema.
It returns for two weeks, featuring a wide range of films.ย
Friday, 28th August
๐ Book Battle | Fri 28th 9:30am - 2:30pm at Central Library.
An exciting competition designed to foster a love of reading among our tamariki.
โป๏ธ Chip Packet Project Demo | Fri 28th 11:00am - 2:00pm at Trust Waikato.
This group collects and recycles foil potato chip packets, transforming them into thermal survival blankets, helping those who need it most. Come see how it works.
๐ช New Zealand CrossFit Championship | Fri 28th - Sun 30th at Claudelands Arena.
Watch New Zealandโs fittest battle for championship titles.
BENโS PICK:
๐ค Country Night | Fri 28th 5:30 - 8:30pm at Good Neighbour.
Dress to impress, country music with Rowdy's Rose and all your favourite country tunes all night.
๐ถ Kirikiriroa Hardcore Vol. 10 | Fri 28th 6:30pm at Mesoverse.
Featuring Cease and Desist, Home Invasion, Anklebreaker, and Rawflesh.
Saturday, 29th August
๐ NZ Boat, Fish & Dive Expo | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Mystery Creek.
Now NZ's largest marine event with over 40+ NZ Boat brands.ย
๐ Boon Street Art Walking Tour plus Love Bite | Sat 29th 10:00am at Central Library.
This walking tour reveals stories behind the work, and the role public art plays in transforming our city.
๐ธ Big Jam | Sat 29th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
An annual combined showcase featuring the young musicians of the Waikato: Youth Orchestra Waikato.
๐ผ Pulse of Life | Sat 29th 7:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
From the beating heart to the frozen south, a concert that spans the full breadth of human experience.
๐ต Dancing In The Shadows of Motown | Sat 29th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
10 piece powerhouse band recreating the dynamic live performances of: The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and many more Motown Legends.
Sunday, 30th August
๐ฅฌ Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 30th 8:00am - 12:00pm at Gate 3, Claudelands. A Sunday classic. Support local.
๐ถ Dog Day | Sun 30th 10:00am at The Sculpture Park.
Enjoy a wander through the beautiful Waitakaruru Sculpture Park and Arboretum with your beloved four-legged friend.
๐ Bottomless Bites - Pizza | Sun 30th 12:30pm - 4:00pm at The Roaming Giant.
Enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless pizza, then finish with sticky date pudding.
๐ธ Coffee and Photography | Sun 30th 2:00pm at The Verandah.
The Waikato Photographic Society invites anyone interested in photography to their new monthly social meetup.ย
๐ง Enchanted Worlds | Sun 30th 3:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
A concert inspired by wizards, fairy tales, and folk stories from around the world.ย
Have you tried this garden cafe in Hamilton?
Based on reader feedback, I though weโd try a local hospitality spotlight: we find a new spot to try, then share our experience and give you the lowdown. And itโs #NotSponsored. Reply and let me know what you think, please!
First up: Cafe Frescaย โ๏ธ
๐78 Alison Street, Hamilton Lake
First impressions: A lovely garden cafeย just a few minutes from the lake and 7 minutes from the city. Great place to grab a bite, stock up on plants, then wander around the nursery - and say hi to the fish. ๐.
The vibe: Chill, a pretty peaceful setting, but definitely popular! People were constantly coming and going. But with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, youโll be all good.
The food: Most menu items sit around $20โ$30, and thereโs a pet menu! The grilled cajun chicken tacos were delightful. The coffee and hot chocolates were also winners, and with an all-day breakfast menu, pancakes for lunch are absolutely allowed.
8.7/10 โญ๏ธ
HAVE YOUR SAY: Where should we head next for our local hospo spotlight?
Whatโs on next week?
Monday, 31st August
๐ผ Stars of Stage and Screen | Mon 31st 11:00am at Hamilton Central Baptist Church.
This elegant and heartwarming concert features outstanding vocalists bringing to life the golden era of musicals and classic films.
๐ University of Waikato Professorial Lecture | Mon 31st 5:30pm at The Pฤ, Waikato Uni.
'Kia mau ki te aka matua o Te Tohu Paetahi: Hold fast to the source of strength of TTPโ by Professor Sophie Nock.ย
Tuesday, 1st September
๐ฅ Comic Book Month Competition | From Tue 1st at all Hamilton Libraries.
Starting from the first of the month, children aged 5 - 13ย can create their own comic or manga story to enter the competition.
๐จ Paint and Wine Night | Tue 1st 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
Join fun beginner-friendly adults painting class in a bar!
๐ญ Jukebox Musicals | Tue 1st 7:30pm at Nivara Lounge.
A platform for up-and-coming theatre performers.ย
Wednesday, 2nd September
๐ฆค Endangered Species National Hui | Wednesday and Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm at The Atrium.
Join communities, iwi, scientists, researchers, conservation practitioners and rangatahi from across New Zealand for two days of inspiration, connection and collective action.
๐ฒ Tabletop Guild | Wed 2nd 6:00 - 10:00pm at Hobby Lords.
Happening on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, join for a night of boardgames.ย
๐คฃ HaHaHamilton Comedy Lounge | Wed 2nd 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
Your stand up tall MC for this Sept gig is the wonderful "Singing Hobbit".
Thursday, 3rd September
๐ค Quiz Night | Thu 3rd 6:00pm at The Wayward Pigeon.
Join NAWIC Waikato and NZIQS / QSEP for a night of general knowledge, laughs, banter, and networking.
๐บ Beats By Bingo | Thu 3rd 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
A night of musical bingo featuring throw-back jams, sing-alongs, seat dancing and prize-winning.
๐ฟ 'Lomu' Movie Night | Thu 3rd 7:00pm at Lido Cinema.
Experience the complications, tragedies & successes in the life of rugby superstar Jonah Lomu.ย
๐ถ Mel Parsons - Castle Hill Album Release Tour | Thu 3rd 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Expect soaring harmonies, a dynamic live show, and a feel-good vibe.ย
Friday, 4th September
๐ Marvelous Mini-Beasts | Fri 4th 5:30pm at Waikato Museum.
For this after-hours Public Talk, join science communicator and behavioural ecologist Connal McLean for an entertaining and insightful evening exploring the incredible world of bugs.
๐ค Elton vs Billy NZ Tribute | Fri 4th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Two piano rock legends face each other for an ultimate showdown in Elton John vs Billy Joel tribute show.ย
Saturday, 5th September
๐ฟ Monthly Plant Sale | Sat 5th 9:30am - 1:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Shop an assortment of house plants and more.ย
โญ๏ธ Welcoming Manaaki Village | Sat 5th 10:00am - 3:00pm at Claudelands. A Kaifusion Experience celebrating Hamilton's cultural diversity featuring kapa haka, cultural entertainment, community displays, agencies and food.
๐ฐ๏ธWoodlands Antique and Collectables Fair | Saturday and Sunday 10:00am at Woodlands Estate.
A wonderful array of antiques and collectables.
๐ธ Botanical Watercolour in Bloom Workshop | Sat 5th 10:30am - 4:00pm at The Sculpture Park.
Join artist Sandra Morris as she shares her skill and love of capturing new growth in nature in watercolour.
๐ My Walk in Wardrobe | Sat 5th 11:00am - 4:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Fashion Fest, presented by My Walk in Wardrobe, is a celebration of sustainable fashion, community and self-expression.
๐ FPC โ Waikato vs Auckland | Sat 5th 4:35pm at FMG Stadium.
The 2026 Farah Palmer Cup season gets underway at FMG Stadium Waikato, with Waitomo Waikato hosting the Auckland Storm in Roundโฏ2.ย
๐ NPC โ Waikato vs Canterbury | Sat 5th 7:10pm at FMG Stadium.
Expect a proper NPC atmosphere as two proud rugby regions go head-to-head.
๐ธ Queen Forever | Sat 5th 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Queen Forever celebrates 20 years with their Greatest Hits Tour โ 20th Anniversary, the ultimate tribute to rockโs most iconic band.
Sunday, 6th September
๐ค Harmony Waikato Rhapsody | Sun 6th 2:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Join for an unforgettable celebration of barbershop harmony featuring some of the Waikato regionโs finest singers and ensembles.ย ย
Thank you to our new paid supporters, who are helping Hello Hamilton stay free to all. I really appreciate it. Keen for this to stay human-written, independent, and ad-light?
โ Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake (with contributions from Corianna Kitchin)
