👋🏼 Hello Hamilton
Another 100 Hamiltonians experienced Dinner Club last night! Early feedback is saying 4.6/5 ⭐️ See you at the next one?
“Thanks for organising the Dinner club. I managed to go yesterday and it was super fun! Got matched with some neat people. You picked some awesome spots, places I never even considered going to or trying out. Really looking forward to the next one.”
Plenty on this week. Get out there and enjoy it.
— 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 next Club night is locked in! Time to give it a go?
You take a quick quiz about your interests, food preferences, and what types of peeps you are looking to meet.
You get matched with five other Hello Hamilton Dinner Club Members based on those quiz results.
You’ll receive your invite a few days before the dinner and discover which restaurant your group will be dining at.
During dinner, everyone across town will receive a notification with the location of an afterparty to keep the good times rolling. This is optional, so if you’re in a food coma, you can go home and sleep it off.
What’s happening this week?
Thursday, 28th May
🖼️ Latest Artpost Exhibitions | Until Sat 6th at Artpost Galleries.
On until 6 June at Artspost. Maladaptive, Ora Obscura, Luminus Shadows, XRay2 and The Polar Explorers.
Dreams in Mirrors, Mirrors in Dreams | Until Sat 6th June at The Meteor.
This exhibition presents 17 calligraphic works, of which five are AI-generated pseudo-characters and twelve are hand-copied by the artist.
📚 Book Chat | Thu 28th 2:00pm at Hillcrest Library, Hamilton Gardens.
Come and share your passion for reading with library staff and fellow book lovers.
Gardens of the Past | Thu 28th 6:30pm at The Pavilion, Hamilton Gardens.
Neil Curgenven from Waikato Historical Society will talk about a couple of heritage homes that had great gardens in their day, and some of his efforts in horticulture.
Avenue Q | Thu 28th - Sat 30th 7:30pm at Riverlea Theatre.
This laugh-out-loud comedy musical is a wildly funny, puppet-filled comedy about growing up.
Friday, 29th May
Authentic Irish Folk and Ballads | Fri 29th 5:30 - 8:30pm at Biddy Mulligans.
Seanachie will be playing authentic Irish folk and ballads.
Pub Olympics | Fri 29th 6:30 - 9:30pm at Hamilton Workingmen’s Club.
A fun team-based night of games, challenges, and friendly competition.
🎤 Kirikiriroa Hardcore Vol 8 | Fri 29th 7:00pm at Mesoverse.
Brawler, with Kuwake, rangatahi straight edge from Taamaki Makaurau and more.
🎵 Sam Buckingham | Fri 29th 8:00 - 10:30pm at Nivara Lounge.
Celebrating her gorgeous new album Beautiful Machine.
Saturday, 30th May
🦸♀️ The Comics, Games and Toy Fair | Sat 30th til 2:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands.
Marvel, Hot Wheels, Star Wars, Board Games, PS Games, Xbox Games and more.
Card Market Hamilton | Sat 30th 9:30am - 4:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Trading event built around the heart of the hobby, buying, selling, and trading cards.
🏐 AVIS Magic v Stars | Sat 30th 4:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Feel the energy and cheer on your team as they battle it out in the ANZ Premiership.
Gallagher Chiefs vs Blues | Sat 30th 7:05pm at FMG Stadium.
A massive final home game of the regular season.
Sunday, 31st May
Dog Day at the Sculpture Park | Sun 31st 10:00am - 5:00pm at The Sculpture Park. Bring your beloved pet dog for a walk in the garden. Enjoy Ozone coffee, and Volare treats for yourself, while your dog gets a doggie treat!
🇮🇪 Ireland the Voyage | Sun 31st 2:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Epic celebration of Irish heritage through voices, live music, and dance.
🎶 DARTZ: Winter Missions | Sun 31st 8:30pm at Last Place.
A winter mission with support from local operators Marital Law.
Find events happening next week further down this edition.
Keeping you in the loop…
♻️ Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in Hamilton will go ahead as normal on King's Birthday (Monday 1 June). Put your bins out on their normal collection day by 7am!
⛽️ You could be ending your night out with a $10 fuel voucher as part of a new city promotion. The initiative from Waitomo Group and Overproof rewards customers who spend $100 at Reggies, Mr Pickles, Everyday Eatery, or Hamilton Hotel, aiming to boost hospitality spending amid rising fuel costs. Read.
🕺Jim Beam Homegrown’s move to Hamilton generated almost $10million into the local economy in its first year in the city. New independent analysis found the festival attracted more than 25,000 attendees, including 17,885 visitors from outside Hamilton, generating 24,648 visitor nights and $4.8 million in visitor spending across accommodation, hospitality, retail and transport. More >
🚙 Recommendations to lower the speed limit on Te Rapa Rd have been rejected by Hamilton City Council’s Transport Sub-Committee. The proposal would have reduced the limit from 80kph to 60kph between Hutchinson Rd and SH1C, but was opposed by 80% of the 629 public submissions. Read.
Hamilton City Council was proposing a speed change from 80kph to 60kph on Te Rapa Road near Te Awa Lake in Waikato District. The public panned it. Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES
⚠️ Wintec will reopen today after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of campuses and the cancellation of classes. The threat was sent via email to a general information address and was discovered on Wednesday morning, prompting an immediate response from staff and emergency services. Read.
🦉 Work to make Hamilton’s Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park a “safe-haven’’ for rare birds and potentially, even kiwi, is taking shape. Hamilton City Council is installing a predator-exclusion fence around the 60ha park to protect native flora and fauna from pests like rats and feral cats. Read.
✅ Waikato’s economy continued to build positive momentum in early 2026, with economic activity outperforming the national average. Employment trends are improving, job ads are up, and the region is leading the North Island for employment performance over the past year.
Ben’s Bulletin
🍴DINNER CLUB: Are you coming along to this one? Book your seat >
🗺️ THE HAMILTON MAP: You’ve probably seen our sleek platinum framed artwork of Hamilton… time to get one of your own? Get yours >
🏄♂️ SURFS UP: World Surf League in Raglan has wrapped up. It was huge >
🧩 LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: AUTUMN LEAVES. Reply and let me know what it is this week, friends!
What’s happening next week?
Tuesday, 2nd June
Quiz Night | Tue 2nd 6:30pm at Fergus Bar & Kitchen.
Great prizes in an Irish themed pub.
🎨 Paint and Wine Night | Tue 2nd 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
Get your creative juices flowing and your brush strokes going!
Wednesday, 3rd June
🤣 HaHaHamilton Comedy Lounge | Wed 3rd 7:45pm at Nivara Lounge.
Starting with MC pocket battleship of humour Sandra Pace, presenting a lineup this month of Lance Tman Taylor, Jade Lynn, Mike Healy, Mason Devcich, and more!
Thursday, 4th June
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour | Thursday and Friday 6:30am - 10:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
The Banff World Tour celebrates amazing achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking worldwide.
🧩 Games Night | Thu 4th 5:00 - 7:00pm at Central Library.
A night for board game fans to come together and play!
Scaling the Scaffold panel discussion | Thu 4th 5:30pm at Weave Eatery.
Join NAWIC Waikato and unpack what career progression truly looks like for women in the construction industry.
👏🏻 Showquest | Thu 4th 6:30 - 9:00pm at BNZ Theatre.
A night celebrating creative rangatahi as they bring their ideas to life on stage.
🤩 Kiwi Yarns with Brodie Kane & Friends | Thu 4th 7:30 - 10:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Brodie Kane is the host of the award-winning podcast Kiwi Yarns, where she sits down with some of Aotearoa’s most interesting people for honest, no-frills conversations.
Friday, 5th June
🎀 Free Express Personal Styling | Fri 5th - Sun 7th 10:00am - 3:00pm at Centre Place.
Step into the Style Lounge and enjoy a complimentary 20-minute 1 on 1 styling session with professional stylist Coby Haimes.
🎤 80's Super Band 'Love Shack' Live | Fri 5th 8:30 - 11:00pm at Last Place.
Round up your dance crew and join for the best night out in decades!!
Saturday, 6th June
The Op Shop Car Boot Sale | Sat 6th 9:00am - 1:00pm at 15 Ruakura Road.
Stalls, food and drink including a sausage sizzle, barista coffee, and a bouncy castle!
🚀 3 Keys to Mastering Real Results | Sat 6th 11:30am at Rototuna Library.
Break through limiting beliefs, reconnect to your vision, and create real lasting results in this powerful 4-hour immersive workshop.
Nawamini 2026 | Sat 6th 5:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
The Nawamini cultural show, hosted by the Sri Lanka Friendship Society of Waikato features traditional dances, music, and theatrical acts.
🕵 Sip & Solve | Sat 6th 5:30 - 8:30pm at Hamilton Workingmen’s Club.
One twin is murdered. The other has been abducted. The lead detective? Missing. Now it’s up to YOU to solve the case.
AVIS Magic v Pulse | Sat 6th 7:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre.
Don’t miss the action as Avis Magic take to the court for another electrifying season!
🎸 Urupa w/ Crown the Heathen And Comorbid | Sat 6th 9:00pm at Last Place.
A night of thrash, death and deathcore.
Sunday, 7th June
Careers Expo | Sunday and Monday 10:00am at Claudelands Events Centre.
Talk face to face with the widest range of employers, industry, government departments, and training providers.
🐲 Made Movie Club: How To Train Your Dragon | Sun 7th 3:30pm at Made.
For little film lovers, while parents can settle in nearby at the Mess Hall for drinks, snacks, or an early dinner.
Thanks team. See you here next week.
— Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
