👋🏼 Hello Hamilton

It’s hard to believe this is the 19th edition of Hello Hamilton! Time flies. Thanks so much for reading again today.

As we grow towards 10,000 members, the behind-the-scenes costs of keeping this little project running are adding up. Hello Hamilton will always be free for all—but if you’ve been finding it valuable, consider becoming a supporter to keep it free, independent, and thriving. ❤️

Just one more day until the long weekend! Let’s get to it!!

👑 Kerbside collections remain the same over King’s Birthday

Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in Hamilton will go ahead as normal on King’s Birthday (Monday 2 June). Put out your bins out on the normal collection day by 7am.

Not sure what bin to put out this week? Use the address finder on fightthelandfill.co.nz or download the Antenno app for a weekly reminder before your bin day.

Last month, Hamiltonians saved 616,000kg of mixed recycling from landfill. If you’re not sure an item should go in the recycling bin, head to fightthelandfill.co.nz and search the item – it will tell you which bin it belongs in.

🎟️ What’s happening in Hamilton?

Wonder Horse Cocktail Club | Thu 29th 6:00pm. Journey through cocktail history, tasting three spirits and two unique cocktails, plus a treat from Wonder Horse! Book.

Bodies Among The Books: Rototuna Mystery in the Library | Thu 29th 6:00pm at Rototuna Library. Join Deborah Challinor, Jenny Harrison, Chook Henwood, Lee Murray and Jared Savage for a fun and fascinating storytelling korero full of dark deeds. Info.

Guided Meditation | Thu 29th 7:00pm at YWCA. This class offers deep physical and mental relaxation physical postures, breathwork, and guided relaxation. This practice is non-sectarian and is for everyone, and you do not need any experience to feel the benefits. Info.

Paint and Wine: Four Seasons Tree | Thu 29th 7:00pm at The Bank. The concept is simple - take a brush in one hand, a drink in the other, and paint a masterpiece! Tickets.

Weber Bros 'The Circus' | from Thu 29th 7:30pm at The Base. Some of the most extraordinary and world class acts are to present in what is an Adrenaline pumping 2-hour show. From comedians to FMX Rider’s, aerialists and the show stopping human cannon ball. Tickets.

Mums & Bubs Morning | Fri 30th 10:00am at Waikato Museum. Aimed at all parents and care-givers of babies and pre-school aged children. You and your peepi (baby) can enjoy one hour free in Exscite Home located on the lower floor. Info.

Ladies night at the Cossie | Fri 30th 7:00pm at 32 Claudelands Rd. 8-ball on this week. No need to book – just come along, bring your friends, and enjoy a relaxed night out made just for the ladies. Info.

Mamma Mia! Party | Fri 30th 10:00pm at The Bank. Attention all Dancing Queens, Super Troupers, Chiquititas and Fernandos… it’s time to say Thank You for the Music at a Mamma Mia! The Musical tribute party! Tickets.

Oat Bros Run Club | Sat 31st 7:00am at Grey Roasting Co. Enjoy a 4km loop on a Saturday morning - any pace, it’s not a race. Join for coffee and oats afterwards. Info.

Burnsco Expo Day | Sat 31st from 8:30am at Burnsco. Come along for expert advice (with Okuma, EcoFlow, and Lowrance) unmissable savings, high quality gear, and one of the best lunches in the country! Info.

World Smokefree Pinnacle Hauora Day | Sat 31st 10:00am-2:00pm at Settlement Centre. Bring the whole whānau to celebrate health and wellbeing. There will be free health checks and immunisations, kai and entertainment, ace painting and bouncy castle for tamariki, spot prizes and giveaways.

Flawless Paws Adoption Day | Sat 31st 10:00am-3:00pm at Pet Community House. Swing by and meet some cute kittens as well as a lovely mumma cat! Info.

NZ Music Month Concert | Sat 31st 4:00pm at The Events Center. May is celebrated as New Zealand’s music month every year, and for the first time in Hamilton, Waikato Rocks is celebrating by inviting nine music groups from all around New Zealand to perform at this historic event. Tickets.

Supper Club: a humble roast | Sat 31st 6:00pm at Everyday Eatery. Date night? Girls' night? Bring your friends, drink some wine, have a good time. Book.

Pro-wrestling: Heathen Combat presents Blood Will Out | Sat 31st 6:00pm at Claudelands. Kid Nova finally cemented himself as the true top of the ladder after defeating Rugged Vic Craig in a casket match in Tauranga. What's next for the Navigator? Tickets.

Classic Cars and Classic Tunes | Sat 31st 6:00pm at Jukebox Diner. Join for an evening of retro fun, classic cars, music, and dancing—all while helping to raise funds for Canteen NZ. Enjoy a buffet dinner and dessert, entertainment, spot prizes, a silent auction, and more! Tickets.

Heath Franklin’s Chopper: Live comedy | Sat 31st 7:00pm at Claudelands. The Last Hard B*stard on Earth tour. Tickets.

Samoa Matalasi Formal Ball | Sat 31st 7:30pm at The Fale. Kicking off the Annual Independence Weekend Celebration, celebrating 63 years of Independence for Samoa. Info.

Car Boot Market | Sun 1st 9:00am-1:00pm at 999 Heaphy Tce. Come down and do a spot of treasure hunting and grab a bargain. Info.

Creative Presence Workshop | Sun 1st 10:00am at Norris Ward Park Arts Centre. A series of art-based workshops that blend mindfulness with expressive practices like collage to help you reconnect with your creative flow—no artistic experience needed. Register.

Meeple Meet-Up Games Afternoon | Sun 1st 2:00pm at Melting Moment. Beginner and advanced players welcome, and they teach you how to play! Info.

Rainbow Community Party | Sun 1st 6:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Rainbow Lounge Resident DJ Goldfinger and guests will be on the decks. Tickets.

Avis Magic vs Northern Stars | Mon 2nd 7:30pm at Globox. See your team, Avis Magic, live as they take on the Northern Stars in Round 4 of the 2025 ANZ Premiership. Tickets.

Parents Support Group | Tue 3rd 10:00am at a cafe. Grab a free coffee and chat with other parents and carers who know what it’s like to care for a disabled child, a neurodiverse child, or a child with health impairments. RSVP.

HaHaHamilton Presents: Comedy Lounge | Wed 4th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. With MC Mike Healy and comedians, Chey Johanson, DB Brown and more. $15 online or $20 on the door. Tickets.

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.

🎶 Live music across the Tron

Seanachie Folk & Ballads: Irish Music | Fri 30th 5:30-8:30pm at Biddy’s.

Powder Chutes Album Release Tour | Fri 30th 8:30pm at Last Place. Powder Chutes debut album dropped on 11th April, entering at No.22 on the Official NZ Album Charts and No.4 in the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Albums. Tickets.

Local Artist Live Present Quixotic Minds | Fri 30th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Come and enjoy a new band emerging in Aotearoa. $10 entry.

Coupe De Ville | Fri 30th from 9:00pm at Amuse at SkyCity.

Bollywood Night | Fri 30th 9:00pm at Cloud 9. DJ Vishal, DJ Jack and MC Shereen will keep you entertained all night long, party desi style. Info.

Sean Lurman & Band | Fri 30th from 9:30pm at Biddy’s.

Groove Street | Sat 31st from 8:30pm at Amuse at SkyCity.

Persons of Interest | Sat 31st from 9:30pm at Biddy’s.

80's Super Band 'Love Shack' | Sun 1st 8:00pm at Last Place. Playing songs by The B52's, Prince, INXS, Blondie, David Bowie, Billy Idol, Peter Gabriel and more! Tickets.

George FM Long Weekend Takeover | Sun 1st 9:00pm at House on Hood. Featuring SLY CHAOS, Tizza, Danni, Ava, Disco Biscuit, and Benji Reid. Info.

Missing a show? Email me so I can get my act together!

👀 Hamilton headlines you may have missed

University of Waikato to build 75 new self-catered apartments along Knighton Road, by the University’s Student Village accommodation, set to be available at the start of 2026. And the uni isn’t stopping there, saying they’ll be looking at further development options given the level of demand for on-campus accommodation. Read.

Air New Zealand to introduce jet services on Hamilton–Christchurch route at Hamilton Airport. From September 18, select services between Christchurch and Hamilton will be operated by a 171-seat Airbus A320, adding approximately 25,000 seats a year on the route. Read.

Te Rapa Tavern celebrating centenary of iconic Waikato Draught beer. Since Waikato Draught was first brewed in 1925 along the banks of the mighty river, it’s been the preferred beer for many who call Waikato home or have connections to the region. Read.

Record-breaking Chiefs on cusp of clinching top spot for Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. They pummelled Moana Pasifika 85-7 on Saturday. Read.

Councillors have unanimously agreed to defer a decision on whether a controversial stretch of Cobham Dr should stay at 60kph or revert to 80kph. The deferral by members of panel to a full council meeting on 26 June was so a bigger group of councillors could make the decision. Read.

The Waikato Regional Property Trust has been granted $70,000 from Hamilton City Council to celebrate the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre. General Manager Destinations, Sean Murray, said while it was “a little bit out of the ordinary”, it would deliver “substantial profile”. Read.

Hamilton’s Peacocke development spreads its wings on rising demand, with several hundred homes already built and many times that in the pipeline. The 740-hectare Peacocke area sits to Hamilton’s south and new figures show a recent surge in interest. Getting it right is high-stakes, with infrastructure in the area expected to have soaked up more than $660 million by 2034. Read.

🚧 Road closures this week

• Fairfield Bridge will be closed Sunday 25 May to Thursday 29 May from 7pm – 5am, for the cleaning of the bridge. 

• Wairere Drive (from Arthur Porter Drive to Te Rapa Road) will be closed from 7pm – 6am until Thursday 5 June for road resurfacing.

• The entry lane of Lancewood Avenue will be closed from 7am – 6pm until Friday 6 June for a footpath and kerb renewal.

• Wairere Drive (from Hukanui Road to Gordonton Road) will be closed from 7pm – 6am until Tuesday 10 June, for road resurfacing. The shared path remains open. 

• Pukete Road (from Millthorpe Crescent to Maui Street) is closed until Saturday 14 June for the repair of a damaged pipe and road. The boat ramp and equestrian centre can only be accessed via Maui Street

• Masefield Drive continues to have one lane closed in a single direction until Monday 30 June from 7am – 6pm, for a footpath renewal. 

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who will be looking forward to the long weekend!

As always, 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.

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

See you next Thursday.

— Ben