Toro atu ki ngaa tinitakunetanga.
Our city centre comes alive with a year-round calendar of exciting events. From cultural festivals to live performances, from food fairs to sporting events, there's always something happening in Hamilton Central.
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Friday, 6th February, 10:00 am - Friday, 3rd April, 10:00 am
A new drop-in theatre group for our youngest actors! Learn how to roar like a dragon, pounce like a cat and whinny like a unicorn! We’ll practice using our voice, faces and bodies to explore emotions and have fun! Anyone from 18 months to 5 years is welcome to join us with their caregiver.
$10 per session or book for the whole term for $80.
Exact dates coming soon!

Thursday, 12th February, 11:00 am - Saturday, 21st February, 2:00 pm
Presence, Vibrance, Resonance
An exhibition in the NCG by Kana Sakai
Presence, Vibrance, Resonance is a portrait series that brings together oil paintings, each representing individuals from the artist’s world. Executed in a classical oil painting style, the works are characterised by nuanced flesh tones, subtle colour harmonies, and timelessness.
This exhibition explores the expressive potential of traditional portraiture in our daily life context. Each painting captures more than a likeness—it conveys the person’s presence, and vibrance of their inner worlds. Together, the portraits form a resonance of human individuality, and quiet warmness of human network.
The Nancy Caiger Gallery is open 11am-2pm from Wednesday to Saturday. If you’d like to visit this exhibition outside of these opening hours, please email kiaora@themeteor.co.nz

DANNY BHOY
DEAR WORLD…
The sequel to Danny's favourite ever show, the 2015 hit ‘Dear Epson…’ DEAR WORLD is a hybrid of stand up and theatre, but really that just means Danny gets to sit down for bits of it.
“Unsurpassed storytelling” The Age
“One of the most sparkling wits in the world” The Montreal Gazette

NRL Harvey Norman All Stars returns to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026.
Celebrate culture and pride as the best Māori and Indigenous talent unite for an unforgettable showcase!
Experience an event like no other on Sunday 15 February at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. With Men’s, Women’s, plus a mixed touch football match taking place, there is no better way to kickstart the NRL season.
Tickets are now on sale for NRL Harvey Norman All Stars.
Tickets on sale now: http://spr.ly/6183CBljU
Event Day Timings
Touch Football
⌚ 2:25pm NZT / 12:25pm AEDT
Māori All Stars vs Indigenous All Stars
Harvey Norman Women's All Stars
⌚ 3:30pm NZT / 1:30pm AEDT
Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Wahine Toa All Stars vs Australian Indigenous Women’s All Stars
Harvey Norman All Stars
⌚ 5:45pm NZT / 3:45pm AEDT
Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Tane All Stars vs Australian Indigenous Men’s All Stars

After racking up over a million followers online and making audiences across the globe laugh until they cry, Blake Pavey is hitting New Zealand with his brand new hour of stand-up! Fresh off two national tours and a YouTube comedy special, Blake’s bringing plenty of cheeky stories, sharp punchlines, and his signature charm across the ditch!
“Pavey’s stand-up delicately weaves elements of darkness and light, moving the audience to the brink of tears, before landing a hefty punchline that leaves them in (metaphorical) stitches.” – The Age
Get your tickets and come see why he’s more than just “that guy off TikTok!”.
Running time: 70 mins
Content warning: 18+, adult themes, coarse language

Saturday, 21st February, 7:00 pm - Sunday, 22nd February, 4:00 pm
ADHD – it’s so hot right now! Pōneke’s creative powerhouse Jo Randerson (ONZM) unpacks their diagnosis, neurodivergent parenting, sad songs, men taking their time, and so much more in this highly lauded “funny as hell” theatre extravaganza. This incredible mahi is so much more than a performance – it’s a revelation.
Jo Randerson has a brain that never stops and a fountain of restless energy fuelling their fiercely funny artistic voice. Who knew?! that this fountain was fed by something they had diagnosed in their 40s alongside their son: ADHD.
Jo has always lived life at high voltage. A true arts polymath, they have accumulated achievements, accolades, and acclaim as a PerformerComedianWriterActivistDirectorCuratorTheatremakerFilmmakerWitchClown, recently receiving the 2023 Topp Prize for comedy.
In Speed is Emotional Jo bares their soul, sharing the exhilaration, exhaustion, joy, and absurdity of living and parenting with neurodivergence. Jo weaves their punk poetic magic into a beautiful comedy about transcending labels and living with a voltage so high it’s going to blow the mains.
If anyone in your life likes to do things at 4x speed, do not miss this transformative comedy theatre event.
From the artistic voice behind Soft ‘n’ Hard and Banging Cymbal, Clanging Gong.
Sat 21 Feb, 7pm
Sun 22 Feb, 4pm – this show is NZSL interpreted
Running time: 75 mins
Content warning: The show briefly addresses mental distress.
All performances are relaxed, and audiences may enter or leave at any time.
Suitable for all ages.

Movies at The Meteor is here!
Gather the whānau together, BYO blankets or bean bags and get comfy!
Door sales will be available on the night for individual movies:
Sione’s Wedding: $10pp
Eagle vs Shark: $10pp
Or, click ‘book now’ below to buy a general admission ticket to see both films for $18pp!
SIONE’S WEDDING
FROM 6:30PM
Meet best friends Michael, Albert, Stanley and Sefa; the ladies’ man, the good boy, the weird one and the party boy. They’re staring down the barrel of their thirtieth birthdays, but still act as if they’re sixteen; they get drunk, they chase the wrong women and they have a remarkable record of misbehaving and causing chaos at every wedding they attend. But now Michael’s younger brother Sione is getting married, and everything is about to change. Sione is their boy, the kid they used to look after, who grew up while they were still partying. And to ensure his big day isn’t spoiled by his boys and their idiot antics, Sione has issued an ultimatum; the guys all have to bring dates to the wedding. And not just any dates; real girlfriends, someone they’ve made a commitment to. They have one month. So just how hard can it be to get a date for your best boy’s wedding?
Year: 2006
Director: Chris Graham
Runtime: 97 min
Rating: M
EAGLE VS SHARK
FROM 8:15PM
Love blossoms for Lily over double Meaty Boy burgers at mid-day when uber-computer nerd Jarrod comes in and leaves with free extra large fries. After gatecrashing Jarrod’s party and proving her skills on the game console, Lily goes down to Jarrod’s home town with him so he can settle an old score with a past school bully.
Year: 2007
Director: Taika Waititi
Runtime: 86 min
Rating: M

Movies at The Meteor is here!
Gather the whānau together, BYO blankets or bean bags and get comfy!
SHREK
FROM 6PM
It ain’t easy bein’ green — especially if you’re a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot — a wisecracking donkey.
Director: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Runtime: 90 min
Rating: PG

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
FROM 8PM
Sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named ‘Rocky’.
Year: 1975
Runtime: 98 min
Rating: M

Movies at The Meteor is here!
Gather the whānau together, BYO blankets or bean bags and get comfy!
Door sales will be available on the night for individual movies:
The Fellowship of the Ring: $10pp
The Two Towers: $10pp
The Return of the King: $10pp
Or, click ‘book now’ below to buy a general admission ticket to see all three films for $25pp!
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
FROM 1PM
Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.
Year: 2001
Director: Peter Jackson
Runtime: 178 min
Rating: M
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
FROM 4PM
While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron’s new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
Year: 2002
Director: Peter Jackson
Runtime: 179 min
Rating: M
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
FROM 7:15PM
Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron’s army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
Year: 2003
Director: Peter Jackson
Runtime: 201 min
Rating: M

Join us for a fantastic evening celebrating Chinese New Year with a Dragon & Lion Dance, Magic Show, Chinese Martial Arts, Live Cultural Performances & Food Stalls.
Saturday 28th February 2026
Event from 6pm with food stalls from 4pm
Garden Place
Free Event
If you would like to enquire about having a food stall at the event, please email info@waikatoweekly.co.nz

After entertaining 700,000 guests across the UK, USA and Europe, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is kicking off the first ever tour of New Zealand and coming to Claudelands!
Prepare for a spellbinding 90-minute spectacle that infuses iconic Rock & Metal anthems with a hauntingly beautiful energy.
In ethereal candlelit settings, this band of 13 classical musicians unleash effortlessly enchanting melodies alongside powerful walls of distortion. Witness the unexpected union of Classical music and Metal.
Performing the music of iconic bands including: Metallica, AC/DC, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin' Park, SOAD, Guns N Roses, Evanescence, Aerosmith, The Cranberries & MORE!
“Every rock fan should see and hear this concert!”
“Entertaining from the first song to the last.”
“Perfect blend of classical bravado and hard rock!”
“It is a unique experience: the music, the show, the stage… something incredible”
Disclaimer: The Rock Orchestra and its events are not affiliated with the artists and composers listed. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Our live show may feature strobe lighting effects. If you are sensitive to flashing lights or have a medical condition such as epilepsy, please take necessary precautions.

You, Me, Everybody hit the road in 2026 for a national tour celebrating Midnight, their new album exploring the moment where one day ends and the next begins. Recognised as finalists for Best NZ Folk Artist at the 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards, the group has earned widespread acclaim, including a global audience after their song “Stranger” featured in Netflix’s Sweet Tooth.
Founded by Hamilton brothers Laurence and Sam Frangos-Rhodes, You, Me, Everybody has built a reputation for pushing bluegrass beyond its borders, blending virtuosic musicianship with contemporary folk and modern string-band innovation. Midnight captures the tension and possibility of life’s turning points, brought to life onstage through rich harmonies, bold instrumental interplay, and great storytelling.
“Acoustic, drumless, genius” – Roger Bowie The Midnight Tour sees the band bring their new album to The Meteor as part of a 12-date run across Aotearoa.
www.yme.nz
Running time: 120 mins
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