👋🏼 Hello Hamilton

How’s Hamilton this week? I’m over in England visiting family and it’s lovely and warm! Hope the weather’s not too bad back home!

My friend Sarah is picking up Hello Hamilton this week. We’re covering the best things happening in Hamilton and local news headlines you can’t miss. First time? Join 10,000+ Hamiltonians here.

🎟️ What’s happening in Hamilton this week?

Bring Your Bub | Thu 28th 9:30am at The Meteor. Parents, this one's for you. Bring your little ones (4 & under) for a relaxed morning of coffee, toys and connection. Thanks to Bear & Moo, toys are sorted. Info.  

Daffodil Day Fundraiser | Thu 28th 12:30pm at Chartwell Cooperating Church. Join Interactionz and Hamilton City Libraries for a fun-filled afternoon creating your own paper daffodil to raise funds for Daffodil Day (Cancer Society NZ). Register.  

Author Talk with Catherine Knight | Thu 28th 6:00pm at Rototuna Library. Join for a conversation with Catherine Knight, author of An Uncommon Land. In this latest book, Catherine interweaves the stories of her ancestors, who settled in Whangamarino, Waikato, with the wider social history that shaped New Zealand. Info.  

WAIRERE – Te Tatau Pounamu “The Peace Child” | Thu 28th - Sat 30th 7:00pm at The Meteor. Wairere is a Māori Musical and high end art and sensory experience sharing ancient stories, songs and experiences from within the tribal lands of Ngāti Wairere. Tickets.  

The Amber Temple | Thu 28th 8:00pm at Last Place. An original music and interpretive dance collaboration between singer-songwriter Julian Temple and contemporary dancer Amber Stephens. Tickets. 

New Zealand Sign Language | Fri 29th 10:00am at Hamilton Central Library. Come and learn New Zealand’s official language for the Deaf Community in free sign language classes. Info. 

Single’s Comedy Night | Fri 29th 7:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Join for a night of entertaining comedians talking about the single pringle life! At the same time, meet other singles with some non-cheesy games. Tickets.  

Erase Everything Single Release Show | Fri 29th 8:00pm at Last Place. Fresh after signing to Sunreturn Records, Erase Everything graces the Waikato for the first time in support of their second single “New year new idea”. Erase Everything brings a fresh sound combining elements of 90’s alternative, Shoegaze and post hardcore. Tickets.  

King Fling Drag Show | Fri 29th 9:00pm at Biddy Mulligans. Twisted Coven brings you a stunning line up of Drag Kings that will amaze and captivate you. The Kings are ready to ascend to their thrones and entertain like never before! Tickets.  

NZ Boat, Fish & Dive Expo | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am at Mystery Creek Events Centre. Come for an epic array of the NZ Marine Industry showcasing the latest products, boats, fishing and diving equipment, seafood and water-sport based gear that NZ has to offer. Tickets.  

Città Opening Day | Sat 30th 10:00am-5:00pm at Made. Explore the beautiful new showroom in Hamilton East’s vibrant Made precinct—an inspiring setting to discover Città’s celebrated New Zealand designs. Info.  

Waikato Southeast Asia Festival 2025 | Sat 30th 10:00am - 6:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre. Experience the wonder and diversity of Southeast Asia through music, dance, cuisine and more at the 2025 festival. Info.  

JKING | Sat 30th 7:00pm at The Factory. Meet JKing – the Sydney-born rapper making waves across AUS & NZ. Catch the energy, the culture, and the bars – this is just the beginning. Tickets.  

The Bruce Springsteen Experience | Sat 30th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. The Bruce Springsteen Experience is an international-level show dedicated to honouring the timeless music of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Tickets.  

Synth Obscura: Return To Planet Earth | Sat 30th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Synth Obscura presents Return to Planet Earth featuring 4 artists, a DJ and a VJ! Tickets.  

Farah Palmer Cup: Waikato Women v Canterbury | Sun 31st 2:05pm at FMG Stadium. Get Ready to cheer on our Waikato Women! Come to FMG Stadium for an exciting day of rugby as the Waikato FPC take on Canterbury in the thrilling Farah Palmer Cup! Tickets.  

Waikato Aria Competition - 2025 Grand Final | Sun 31st 7:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Join for a Sunday evening of operatic drama, as the University of Waikato’s most promising voices compete for a prestigious prize. Tickets.  

➡️ A peek at what’s on next week!

Ryan’s Regular | Mon 1st 7:00pm at Settlement Centre Waikato.  Ryan's Regular with Guest Speaker: Professor Joseph Lane, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Division of Health, University of Waikato. Join Ryan Hamilton MP to explore what the new medical school means for Hamilton, the region, and the country. Info.  

Piano Dialogues: Joong Han and Joohae Kim | Wed 3rd 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Experience the dynamic artistry of Joong Han (Jonathan) and Joohae Kim in a captivating two-piano concert, featuring a thrilling blend of classical masterpieces and virtuosic showpieces. Tickets.  

Kevin Bloody Wilson Aussie Icon Tour | Wed 3rd 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. The much-loved and outrageously funny comedian Kevin Wilson  is coming back to NZ performing his funniest songs, hilarious stories and shooting down political correctness for his Kiwi fans. Tickets.  

HaHaHamilton Comedy Lounge | Wed 3rd 7:45pm at Nivara Lounge. Come and enjoy another great lineup for your laughing buds. Tickets.  

2025 NZ Mountain Film Festival Fundraiser | Thu 4th 6:30pm at Gallagher Academy. Join for a night of inspiration, breathtaking visuals, and some passion for the outdoors. Tickets.  

Glow in the Dark Paint Party | Thu 4th 7:00pm at The Bank. Ultra Violet lights and neon nights. Prepare to experience Paintvine like you’ve never experienced it before - in the dark! Tickets.  

Greta O'Leary And Moon Goose - River Dark Album Release Tour | Thu 4th 7:30pm at Last Place. Join alt-folk songwriter Greta O'Leary & Whaingaroa folk duo Moon Goose, touring their brand new works 'River Dark' and ‘On the Island Where Our Shadows Lie’, with two special shared shows in the Waikato. Tickets.  

Bang Bang Bingo Bonanza | Fri 5th 7:00pm at Biddy Mulligans. Bang Bang Bingo Bonanza is back and it's bigger, bolder, and more outrageous than ever before! Tickets.  

Danica Bryant + The Band: The Feast Tour | Fri 5th 7:00pm at Last Place. Join the 'Feast' with Danica Bryant and her iconic three-piece not-a-girl-band! This live show celebrating the release of Bryant's debut album is the band's third national tour, sure to be a pop-rock party for the ages. Tickets. 

Comedy Zone | Fri 5th 7:30pm at SkyCity. Come for a great night of comedy, featuring Paul Ego and Justine Smith, two of the most iconic comedians New Zealand has ever produced. Stars of Taskmaster, 7 Days and many many more. Tickets.  

Cake and Coffee - Father's Day Edition | Sat 6th 9:00am - 12:00pm at The Crate Coffee. Come decorate your own cake while enjoying a complimentary barista-made coffee. Use your creativity to make something special to take home for D ad, your husband, or someone you love. Tickets. 

Woodlands Antique and Collectables Fair | Saturday and Sunday 10:00am at Woodlands Estate. A wonderful array of goods for sale including glass, furniture, china, silver, jewellery, heritage linen, clothes, books, heritage tools, crystal, etc. Info.  

Kirtan Experience | Sat 6th 6:30pm at The Meteor. Experience the magic of meditation and music in one unforgettable evening! Let go of any stress with soothing mantras, then let the beat lift your spirit into joyful movement. Register.  

Explore with Dad | Sun 7th 10:00am-5:00pm at Hamilton Gardens. Bring your Dad and enjoy a free audio guide at Hamilton Gardens – a perfect way to explore the stories, secrets, and beauty of the gardens at your own pace. Info.  

NRLW - One New Zealand Warriors v Brisbane Broncos | Sun 7th 2:00pm at FMG Stadium. Get set Waikato. The New Zealand Warriors Women are coming to Hamilton in Season 2025 with three NRLW fixtures to be played at FMG Stadium through August and September. Tickets. 

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.

👀 Local news you may have missed

Hamilton voters will soon see candidates for the Waikato Regional Council on their ballots, in addition to city elections. All 14 incumbent councillors are standing again, with citizens voting in six general and two Māori constituencies depending on their area. Read. 

Four fluffy Waikato workers are in the running to become New Zealand’s Top Dog this year, including Mac, a mixed-breed from Hamilton who was the former ‘CEO’ of electric motorbike company FTN Motion. Mac’s owner, Lydia Bristow, says he has been part of the brand since 2020, still joining meetings occasionally and always bringing good vibes and a love of belly scratches. Read. 

They may feel softer than toilet paper, but every day a tonne of wet wipes clog Hamilton’s pipes and end up in landfill. Senior process engineer David Hight, who has worked with Hamilton’s wastewater for over 20 years, says dealing with the waste is an important job and somebody has to do it. Read. 

Once one of Hamilton’s most hotly contested issues, residential water meters are now virtually a done deal. Council staff will soon roll out a pilot programme involving about 200 volunteer households in Hamilton East. Read.

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today. If you found something useful, pass it on to your single friends who deserve a good night out!

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

And a huge thanks to our supporters who help keep Hello Hamilton independent, thriving, and free for all. Consider becoming a supporter here > ❤️

See you next week!

— Ben