Waikato Hospitality Award winners crowned

From Hamilton’s world-famous gardens to award-winning farms, Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman used her first Waikato visit to get to know the region. Senior writer Mary Anne Gill reports.

Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman’s first visit to Waikato began not with spreadsheets or forecasts, but with a walk through Hamilton Gardens.

For someone whose job revolves around national averages and aggregated data, the gardens offered a fitting introduction to a region she was keen to understand up close.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” she said afterwards, describing the visit as a highlight and reinforcing why getting out of Wellington matters.  

Relying only on national data risks missing what is happening on the ground, she says.

The idea regional nuance matters carried through Breman’s time in Waikato.  

Alongside speaking at a sold‑out Waikato Young Professionals event in Hamilton, she visited hospitality businesses, Gallagher Group and two Waipā farms, one dairy and the other sheep and beef.

She saw first‑hand how exporters, manufacturers and agricultural producers are navigating another period of global disruption.

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There are many who see shopping in Hamilton as a mall-only experience. I’ve heard countless times: “I don’t go into town, I only ever go to the mall.” To that I say: great news, in the central city we have a mall and so much more!  

Central cities are hubs where economic, social, cultural and political offerings converge for people to participate in the exchange of goods, services, activities, experiences, and information. Hamilton’s city centre is exactly that. Boasting over 220 hospitality businesses, 200 retail businesses, 150 health, beauty, and wellness businesses and more than 400 professional and trade services businesses. These are over 22,000 people working in town, supported by more than 1,300 business and property owners who have invested in the city centre.

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After a three year break, the Waikato Hospitality Awards are returning to spotlight the region’s top bars, cafés, and restaurants.

The awards will take place at the BNZ Theatre on May 11, beginning with pre-drinks in the gallery before guests move to the foyer for the prizegiving ceremony where 12 category winners and an overall top honour will be announced.

Local personality Te Radar will host the event and attendees will enjoy live music from Waikato band The Sauce.

In total, there had been more than 250 entries across the 12 award categories, which recognise the best eateries, bars, and personalities across the sector. Winners would be determined by an independent panel of judges and mystery shoppers - a first for the awards.

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Jim Beam Homegrown will head back to Hamilton in 2027, with organisers confirming the festival will again take over Claudelands Oval after a successful return to the city.

Festival chief executive Andrew Tuck announced on Monday the all Kiwi music event will be held in Hamilton on April 3, 2027.

"We always believed Hamilton was the right move for Homegrown, and last year proved it," Tuck said.

"There was a real energy from the city, the fans, and the artists. Locking in 2027 is about building on that momentum and continuing to grow something pretty special in the Waikato."

The 2026 event attracted about 25,000 people and delivered a significant boost to the local economy, according to organisers.

Tuck says the move north from Wellington's waterfront allowed the festival to scale up in ways that weren't possible previously.

"Hamilton gives us the room to go bigger," he said.

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