Explore

Looking for the perfect way to explore Te Awa 'The Great NZ River Ride' and the Waikato River Trail? River Riders offers premium e-bike and standard bike rentals from their convenient Victoria Street hub in central Hamilton. Whether you're a tourist discovering local treasures, a resident enjoying weekend adventures, or a cycling enthusiast seeking new trails, River Riders provides the ideal cycling experience for every rider.

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Discover the Waikato on Two Wheels

The Waikato region boasts some of New Zealand's most picturesque cycling trails, and there's no better way to experience them than with quality bike rentals from River Riders. Their strategic location at 371 Victoria Street puts you right at the gateway to adventure, with easy access to stunning riverside paths and scenic routes.

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Premium E-Bike and Standard Bike Options

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River Riders offers an impressive range of cycling options to suit every preference and ability level:

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E-Bikes (Step Through and Hardtail E-ATB)

• 1 Hour: $49 per person

• 2 Hours: $69 per person

• 4 Hours: $99 per person

• 8 Hours: $129 per person

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Full Suspension E-MTB

• 4 Hours: $129 per person

• Full Day: $199 per person

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Classic Bikes

• 2 Hours: $39 per person

• 4 Hours: $49 per person

• Full Day: $69 per person

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The variety of options ensures that everyone from casual cyclists to serious trail enthusiasts can find their perfect ride. E-bikes provide that extra boost for longer journeys or challenging sections, while standard bikes offer a traditional cycling experience at a more accessible price point. (internal link opportunity for bike safety tips)

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Are you looking for reliable, comfortable shuttle rides around the Waikato region? Te Awa Shuttles, proudly operated by River Riders, offers premium transportation services tailored to meet the needs of tourists, locals and travellers alike. As a 100% mana wahine Māori owned business, they bring cultural authenticity and exceptional service to every journey.

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Premium Fleet for All Your Transportation Needs

Te Awa Shuttles boasts an impressive fleet designed to accommodate various group sizes and transportation requirements:

• Luxury 12-Seater Shuttle – Perfect for group transfers, events, and tours

• Five-Seater Electric Ute – Environmentally friendly transport option for smaller groups

• Professional Drivers – All drivers hold TSL (Transport Service License) and P endorsement, ensuring your safety and comfort

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What sets Te Awa Shuttles apart is their commitment to providing premium service while honouring Māori values and sustainability principles. The sleek black vehicles offer stylish transportation with professional drivers who know the Waikato region intimately.

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This festive season looks like it’ll be a mixed bag for Hamilton’s hospitality scene - but one key player sees a $3.2b boost on the horizon.

With Christmas, and Christmas party season, kicking off the Waikato Times spoke to two of Hamilton’s key hospitality players to get their gauge on how the sector was looking.

Cook Bar owner and Hospitality NZ Waikato president Chris Rollitt was able to offer some Christmas cheer.

“We’re busy,” he said.

“A lot of workplaces start to do that social connection thing. You’re getting bigger groups coming out, wind-up functions. [They are] just celebrating getting through the year.”

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If you’re moving into a new home, starting a renovation, or simply ready to refresh your space, finding the right furniture store in Hamilton makes all the difference. Step into McKenzie & Willis on Alexandra Street—where quality, comfort, and Kiwi-made style come together under one welcoming roof.

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A Proud Legacy

Founded in Christchurch in 1906, McKenzie & Willis is a family-owned interior design destination with seven showrooms nationwide. The Hamilton location continues that tradition of excellence, offering a curated collection of New Zealand made and imported furniture, window furnishings, soft home linens, and beds.

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There’s plenty for every taste—think beautiful beds for a perfect night’s sleep, lounge suites for relaxing in style, dining tables perfect for gatherings, and those finishing touches that make a house truly feel like home. Each piece is chosen to suit New Zealand living and crafted with care.

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All in One Place

Customers will find renowned names including David Shaw, Kovacs, Montreux, Profile Furniture, and the in-house Belle Interiors collection. It’s a one stop shop for anyone who wants to see a full palette of home furnishing options in a single, vibrant setting.

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McKenzie & Willis goes beyond simply selling beautiful pieces. Their complimentary interior design service is a real standout—helping shoppers piece together their perfect space, whether they need help with colours, textures, or layout. And for those looking to frame their view, the Hamilton team are window furnishings experts, ready to guide you on curtains, blinds, shutters, and motorisation.

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Service, Selection and Local Inspiration

McKenzie & Willis stands for more than furniture. Visitors notice genuine care and attention to each customer’s needs. The business continues to buil

d on its legacy of service and quality, always looking to improve the showroom experience, expand its range, and help every customer make the most of their space.

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Call in Today

McKenzie & Willis makes it easy for new homeowners, renovators, interior design enthusiasts, and local businesses to create inviting interiors, right in the centre of Hamilton. Visit the showroom at 52 Alexandra Street and discover that your new favourite look, crafted for life in New Zealand, is waiting.

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Hamilton’s newest culinary offerings are preparing to step into the spotlight — and some of them have already taken centre stage.

Five distinct eateries and bars are set to open in the Waikato Regional Theatre precinct, with two already open to the public. Visitors can already get a bite to eat before washing it down with a drink at the newly opened Hamilton Hotel and revamped Wonder Horse bar.

Hamilton Hotel owner Mat Pedley, who is also behind popular local eatery Mr Pickles, said it was a “phenomenal” feeling to be opening in the new theatre.

He described the venue as “French meets New York bistro” inspired. The interior was designed by local firm Designwell, and features plush banquettes, large windows looking onto the street front and oak detailing.

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Ballet fans in the Waikato will not want to be caught napping for this production.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s first official show at the new Waikato Regional Theatre will be Sleeping Beauty, which will tuck itself in for a three-day residency in November next year.

Featuring the music of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the ballet’s story is one that will be familiar to almost everyone: A princess falls into an enchanted sleep after pricking her finger, but is eventually wakened by a kiss from her true love.

It was first staged in 1890 in St Petersburg, quickly becoming the second-most popular ballet in the repertoire of the Royal Imperial Ballet.

At full length it runs to a whopping four hours. Waikato audiences will be relieved - or possibly disappointed - they will be getting the more popular shortened version.

However it is still a big deal. There are 200 costumes - not including headdresses or shoes - and 32 dancers. About 60 people are involved in staging the show.

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The Waikato Regional Theatre will become disco central on Tuesday, February 3, when British pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor comes to play.

The Hamilton venue is one of only two on her just-announced tour of New Zealand - the other being the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch.

One of the biggest British artists to emerge from the early 2000s, Ellis-Bextor established her pop diva credentials with hits like Murder On The Dancefloor, Get Over You and Take Me Home.

Now with seven studio albums to her name. Ellis-Bextor’s discography encompases numerous genres, from dance-pop and folk to prog-rock and orchestral pop.

The London-born Ellis-Bextor grew up in a creative household, and took an interest in performing at an early age.

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Families can kick off the summer holidays with an interactive neon quest as multi-sensory show GLOtron! comes to Hamilton.

Described as a blend of science, education, art, storytelling and puppetry that combines all of Glow Show’s previous installations, GLOtron! will pop up in Centre Place Shopping Centre from December 6.

Glow Show creative director Sarah Burren told the Waikato Times that while she did not want to give too much away, families could expect the installation to be like “walking into a giant storybook”.

“It’s a 40-minute experience where you have a quest and beautiful photo opportunities. The whole thing is glow-in-the-dark.”

The show will include 350 characters and puppets from popular stories such as Matariki, Bad Jelly the Witch, and more.

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Looking for a café in Hamilton’s south end that ticks all the boxes? Whether you’re powering through a workday, meeting up with a friend, or exploring the Waikato Museum, Hood Street Bistro is a great spot for coffee, lunch, and more.

A Fresh Start Under New Ownership

Hood Street Bistro, now under new management, is quickly racking up glowing Google reviews. Locals love the welcoming vibe and friendly service, making it a great choice no matter how you like to start your day—or keep it going.

All Day Menu, Every Option You Want

Breakfast before a gallery wander? An energy boost after a big meeting? This all day café menu covers every craving, from classic favourites to treats that feel a little bit special. There’s something satisfying about grabbing your coffee or lunch and settling in with a front row seat to the flow of Victoria Street.

Location, Location… and Connection

Just steps from the Waikato Museum, Hood Street Bistro is ideal for anyone wanting to make a day (or a morning) of it in the city. Pop in for a cheeky flat white before your artsy adventure, or swing by after for something delicious with friends or colleagues.

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The GLOtron! pop-up show opens in December and will run over summer. It can be found near the Fun Zone on Level 1 at Centre Place, and was made possible with the help of Hamilton City Council.

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GLOtron! brings together eight years of fabulously successful Glow Shows into one wild and whimsical adventure. It is a magical maze of glow-in-the-dark stories, which create an utterly original world for children to explore. It invites children to wander through its mysterious interactive stories and discover multi-sensory glow-tastic creatures and characters.

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Each twist and turn through GLOtron!’s mysterious maze brings extraordinary sensations for the senses, from knife and fork lightning glowing in the sky, to being eyeballed by enormous giants or feeling the tickles of huge fluffy cylinders.

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As children and adults alike enjoy this extraordinary storytelling, they also learn; playing number and word challenges as they move through this whimsical world.

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The Glow Show’s mashup of science, education art, storytelling and puppetry has charmed more than 120,000 children throughout Aotearoa since it was created in 2017.

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Suitable for whole family, ideal for 3- 12-year-olds

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Experience lasts approx 40 minutes.

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A relaxed and classy vibe awaits food lovers, with the flavours of Thai cuisine coming to life, right in the heart of Hamilton central.

Thai Classic, at the northern end of Victoria St, has been operating for 15 years and can fit up to 35 diners with Noi McKay taking over three years ago.

The previous incarnation of Thai Classic had blue carpet and maroon-coloured walls, which McKay did not like.

She gave the walls a greener, “more relaxed and classy” look and the flooring a wood lino look.

“Green is also my favourite colour,” McKay said.

In addition to Thai Classic, McKay is also the co-owner of Chim Thai restaurant in Rototuna, with Don McIlraith.

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It’s arguably Hamilton’s most significant artwork. It was probably the most unloved - for a while at least - and it is almost certainly the most valuable.

And now the iconic, large scale mural - created in 1973 by famed New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere and installed in the now-demolished Founders Theatre - has been placed inside its “forever home” in the Waikato Regional Theatre.

It’s the latest major development in an increasingly exciting series of developments, which will come to a head when the new theatre opens on January 19 with three nights of community-led celebrations.

Soon after will be the official launch event in the form of a concert by the acclaimed musician Teeks, followed by a sold-out show by the revered Dave Dobbyn - who has just added a second show the following night.

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A new bar could be on the cards in central Hamilton, but its owners are remaining tight-lipped on the venture as yet.

The Waikato Times understands Good George brewing director Jason Macklow is looking to build a new pub on Barton St, where the Coffee Studio is currently located.

The site was purchased in 2018 by Future Properties NZ Limited for $1.8 million.

Records show Macklow is the sole director of Future Properties NZ Limited.

When contacted by the Waikato Times, Macklow confirmed he had bought the Barton St site.

But he declined to confirm what sort of hospitality venture would be developed, saying it’s confidential at the moment.

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Macklow said he hasn’t decided what would be located at Barton St and would provide more detail in the new year.

Macklow, along with Darrel Hadley were the founders of the Phoenix Group, which owns numerous restaurants and bars around Hamilton. The pair have decades of involvement in the Hamilton hospitality scene, originating at the now Lawrenson Group-owned Outback Inn and Iguana in the 1990s.

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Boxing Day at Seddon Park | Friday 26th December, Seddon Park, Hamilton



The festive fun keeps on coming in Hamilton! Join us for the opening match of the 2025-26 Super Smash  and celebrate Boxing Day at Seddon Park as cricket returns for the summer.



Northern Brave v Auckland!



Round up your friends & whānau for an afternoon/evening of big hits, good vibes, inflatables for the kids, tasty kai, and awesome giveaways. The perfect way to unwind after Christmas!



Double-Header

2.10pm - Northern Brave (M) v Auckland Aces

6.20pm - Northern Brave (W) v Auckland Hearts



Ticket Pricing:

Adult $10

Child (5-14 years) - one free child with every paying adult; additional child $5

Under 5 - free



OR secure your Northern Brave Membership

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After taking Australia by storm, Pleasure P brings A Night of Pleasure to Aotearoa for the very first time! Performing his timeless solo hits and Pretty Ricky anthems live, this is the ultimate throwback for R&B; lovers — an intimate concert experience filled with passion, rhythm, and connection.

Powered by Titan Entertainment, the New Zealand run features nine cities across the country, delivering the full R&B; experience to fans from the South Island to the North.

✨ Proudly supported by Hamilton City Council as part of Summer in the City ✨
Get ready to celebrate the festive season with Carols in the City — a magical evening filled with live entertainment, delicious food, and the Christmas spirit right in the heart of Hamilton! 🌟
📅 Date: Friday, 19th December 2025
🕔 Time: 5 PM – Late
📍 Location: Garden Place, Hamilton CBD
Enjoy a fun, family-friendly night featuring:
🎤 Live Music
🍔 Tasty Food Stalls
🎶 Christmas Carols
🎬 Outdoor Movie Screening
Bring your whānau, a picnic blanket, and your best singing voice — it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season together! ❤️
🚌 Getting There:
Catch a free bus ride with BUSIT to and from the event — Hamilton services only!
Let’s light up the city with joy, laughter, and Christmas cheer. 🎅🎁

🎁 Calling all kababayans, performers, stallholders, food trucks and sponsors! Let’s light up Garden Place, Hamilton with the spirit of Filipino Christmas—full of music, laughter, and community pride.
🗓️ Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Garden Place, Hamilton
Whether you're showcasing your talents, selling festive treats, or simply joining the fun—this is your moment to shine and share the joy. Let’s make this season unforgettable with big smiles, warm connections, and a celebration that feels like home.
📬 Register now
👉 Stallholders, food trucks, sponsors, and group performers: email us at info@waikatofilipino.org.nz
📱 Follow updates and spread the cheer:
🎶 Pasko sa Nayon is more than an event—it’s a tribute to our roots, a gift to our community, and a joyful step toward legacy. Tara na, let’s celebrate together!
Please share.
Maraming Salamat Po

Supported by J.Tajor+ Richie Cattell

This December, DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown and Donell Lewis bring their signature island sound for a long-awaited New Zealand tour, hitting Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland and Hamilton.

Known for hit records 'Senorita', 'Chill', 'Amelia', 'Island Girl' and more, the trio have become global ambassadors of modern Pacific R&B — blending smooth vocals, island grooves and soulful production that’s earned them millions of streams and loyal fans worldwide.Joining them on the road is special guest and viral superstar J.Tajor known for his hit record ‘Like I Do’.

Together, they promise an unforgettable celebration of Pacific music, culture and connection — a summer tour that captures the soul of the islands.Buy tickets via futurenowmusic.comDoors 7pm • 18+ Only • ID Required

Biddy Mulligan’s Annual Christmas Party - don’t miss it!

‍Check out the full lineup of festive events happening at Biddy’s this December, with something on almost every night, it’s the perfect spot to get into the Christmas spirit.

Christmas Sewing Workshops for Kids: aged 8 - 16

A little Christmas magic for the kids - and a few free hours for you!

Thursday 18th - Tuesday 23rd December

9:30am - 12:30pm

Our School Holiday Christmas Workshops introduce kids to the wonderful world of festive sewing in a structured and supportive environment.

These beginner-friendly workshops cover the basics - from threading the machine to sewing achievable projects. ‘Getting Started’ is about learning how to thread and use the machine safely while sewing a simple project. ‘Master the Basics’ is building on their skills to sew other projects while learning new techniques.

Led by a trained primary school teacher and a skilled assistant, you can be sure that your child will have a memorable workshop filled with loads of learning AND a finished project.If your child has never sewn before then ‘Getting Started’ is a must, after that, they can sign up for any of the other kids workshops in any school holidays.

Included: All fabric, tools and equipment, as well as a hot chocolate and a snack from one of our local cafes.‍

History is being made in Hamilton!

On Wednesday, 3 December, the BNZ Breakers are back at Claudelands Arena, taking on rivals the Sydney Kings in a blockbuster Ignite Cup showdown.

Tip-off is 7:30pm, as the Breakers hit the court for their third Ignite Cup matchup and their second and final home game of the in-season tournament. With cup standings on the line and two fierce competitors going head-to-head, fans can expect a night of intensity, excitement, and world-class basketball.

Don’t miss your chance to witness this milestone moment as the BNZ Breakers bring NBL action to Hamilton!

• Breakers Members Presale -  Tuesday, 14 October 12pm - Thursday, 16 October 12pm
• Ticketek/Venue Presale - Wednesday, 15 October 12pm - Thursday, 16 October 12pm.
• General ticket sale - Thursday, 16 October 12pm

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Wriggle & Rhyme takes place during term time only:

Wednesdays, 10.30-11.00am, Central Library

Looking for a relaxed, fun group where you and your baby or toddler can enjoy music and movement together? It's time to Wriggle & Rhyme! Classes combine singing, movement and rhythm, in a way that will delight and stimulate your child. This programme is aimed at babies and children under two years, but older siblings are welcome.

During school holidays or other times we are unable to hold Wriggle & Rhyme, you can see our playlist of Wriggle & Rhyme videos to enjoy classes at home.

Please note children under 14 must always be accompanied by a caregiver in our libraries.

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Tuesdays, 10.30-11.15am, Central Library

Taking place during Term Time Only

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Storytime is a fun-filled preschool programme tailored specifically for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. The programmes feature stories, songs, movement and interactive fun which foster children's literacy. Caregivers can bond with their children while enhancing their social, cognitive, motor and musical skills.

During school holidays or other times we are unable to hold Storytime Puaawai, you can check out Suzy's Book Corner to watch at home.

Please note children under 14 must always be accompanied by a caregiver in our libraries.

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View a list of exciting events happening over summer in Hamilton!

Find out what's on in the central city in December.

Dates:

21st December, 2025 (Sun) 4:00pm
21st December, 2025 (Sun) 7:30pm

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The Greatest Christmas Show is New Zealand’s #1 family Christmas event, blending heartwarming moments, spectacular dance, and world-class entertainment into one unforgettable night.

Prepare for a breath-taking spectacle featuring soaring vocals that will fill the theatre with the spirit of Christmas, while our cast of incredible dancers and a jaw-dropping cirque aerial act bring the stage to life in a flurry of wonder, skill, and glittering costumes.

From high-flying feats to touching moments that capture the true meaning of Christmas, and a very special visit from Santa Claus himself, this is a show that will warm hearts, inspire smiles, and create cherished memories for the whole family.

🎟Don’t miss the magic. Don’t miss the laughter. Don’t miss the #1 family show this Christmas.

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