The Great NZ Toastie Takeover 2025

It’s not often you’d think to send a postcard while travelling to someone at a retail shop back home, but for visitors to Colin’s store, that feels like exactly the right thing to do.

An outdoor enthusiast in every sense, we grab Colin Hancock, owner and operator of Trek ‘n Travel, to hear some tales of what it’s like to live in the ‘gateway of adventure’.

It’s not often you’d think to send a postcard while travelling to someone at a retail shop back home, but for visitors to Colin’s store, that feels like exactly the right thing to do.

An outdoor enthusiast in every sense, we grab Colin Hancock, owner and operator of Trek ‘n Travel, to hear some tales of what it’s like to live in the ‘gateway of adventure’.

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You wouldn’t think of a building as having a central nervous system - but deep in the interior of the new Waikato Regional Theatre there is a special room that will be exactly that.

It’s a hub where the theatre’s peripheral nerves - the 30 kilometres of glass fibre optic cables that flow throughout the entire structure - meet and connect, carrying audio, video, paging, and other forms of raw data from the main auditorium to all other parts of building.

The $80 million theatre is undoubtedly the most advanced such building to be constructed in New Zealand for decades and the sound system, once completed, will be the equal of any such facility anywhere in the world.

“For a building built around sound and vision, this is the heart of it,” said Mike Orum, one of the eight data technicians who are charged with the task of ensuring that every last strand of cable is correctly connected to each of about 600 termination points in 205 different locations.

Right now, it looks like a spaghetti factory.

And unravelling the strands are two local firms - Structured Technologies and Feisst Electrical.

“It’s cool it’s being done by all Hamilton companies,” said Orum. “There’s not busloads of labour being brought in from somewhere else.”

Winter School Holidays = Screen-Free Fun! 
Tired of gadgets and restless kids at home? Bring them in for a cosy, creative time at our studio — it’s 100% weatherproof and 1000% fun!

They’ve had amazing little artists join them before — and they had an absolute blast!

Hand building with Clay – $40 per child. Shape, sculpt, and get messy with a lump of clay — let their imagination run wild!

Dates: 1st, 3rd, 8th & 10th July

Time: 11am

Location: Casabella Lane, Barton Street, Hamilton

To book email sam@potterystudio.co.nz

Whether you prefer small, intimate settings or large entertainment spaces that can host over 1,000 people, our city centre has itall. Enjoy performances from both local and international artists at these venues.

Last Place Bar – 54 Collingwood Street

A vibrant spot known for its great atmosphere, tasty food, and a solid line up of gigs two to three evenings each week. Also known to have one of the most extensive beer menus in the city. Check out the What’s On page of their website to find upcoming gigs.
lastplacedivebar.co.nz

Nivara Lounge – 266 Victoria Street

An underground retro lounge with a great live music line up each month of both local and touring musicians. Keep an eye on their Facebook page and Event Finda to keep up to date with what’s coming up.
nivaralounge.com

The Factory – 28 Alexandra Street

The Factory is a large entertainment venue that hosts a widerange of concerts and gigs, featuring both local and international artists. Find out what’s coming up on their website and social pages.
thefactoryhamilton.co.nz

Biddy Mulligans -17b Hood Street

Biddy Mulligan’s is Hamilton’s only authentic Irish pub! A great spot to go for live music from Monday to Sunday along with their great pub food and Guiness. Hamilton Blues Society Blues are at Biddy's every Sunday afternoon from 3pm.
biddyshamilton.com‍