
Saturday May the 9th will see the Hamilton Central Library bustling with creatives, crafters, makers and more, in celebration of the 2026 Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest.
Supported by the Creative Communities Scheme, and in its 12th year, the Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest celebrates the ‘zine’–which rhymes with scene–miniature DIY publications which can explore anything from a story or a poem, to collage, photography, comic, artwork, craft and more.
The festival is made possible through the support of the local creative community, including a volunteer organising team, collaboration with Hamilton City Libraries, workshop facilitators, stallholders, attendees, and local businesses and organisations onboard as prize sponsors. The event poster by local artist Brenna Forsythe/Four Scythes offers a taste of the vibe: vibrant, creative and inclusive. Local screen printers King of Nothing are creating the official merchandise, including t-shirts, and tote bags to fill with zine treasures.
Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest 2026 will also be the first place the public can get their hands on Aotearoa’s first extensive zine history. Zines NZ (punk to present) by committee member Bryce Galloway is published by Massey University Press and will be available at the market.
In addition to the market day at the public library, there are a series of zine-making workshops on offer, free of charge. These include:
One page mini-zines for kids
Raglan Library
30/4/2026
3.30pm
Journalling for Joy
Seed’s Hive 11
3/5/2026
2-3.30pm
Scrappy Book Zines
Chartwell Library
5/5/2026
3.30-5pm
Concertina Zine-making for Kids
Dinsdale Library
7/5/2026
3.30-5pm
The final event for the year is the legendary KHZ Afterparty, from 6-9.30pm Saturday 9 May. Featuring local talent and the ‘Best of the Fest’ awards ceremony, hosted at Zeal (9 Ward Lane, Hamilton Central).
This year the prize pool has expanded thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses and organisations: Poppies, Go Eco, Seed Waikato, Browsers, Wintec, Gordon Harris, Mark 1, Last Place, Tiger Tattoo.
The performance lineup features local voices, including poet Nadia Solomon, and bands Lambjaw and Ballerina Riot.
Door Sales are $10, $5 for students/unwaged, and free for stall-holders.
All other KHZ events are free entry. To stay up to date, you can find the latest news and information on the Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest Facebook and Instagram pages, or contact the team at khzfest@gmail.com.
Event details
Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest | KHZ 2026
Saturday 9 May
Hamilton Central Library,
10am - 3pm
All ages
KHZ Afterparty & “Best of the Fest” Awards
Saturday 9 May
Venue TBC
6pm til 9:30
All ages, alcohol free


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