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Waikato taniwharau. He piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha.
There's always something new to discover in the heart of Hamilton city. Let us be your guide as you rediscover the charm, culture, and character that make our city centre unique.
Matthew Cooper of Sport Waikato and Dr Jeremy Mayall of Creative Waikato met to experience Te Ara Toi o Te Taniwha.
Active and creative activities have long been recognised as pillars of community wellbeing, fostering physical health, mental resilience and social cohesion.
The uniting features of these activities are found in newin-app experience, Te Ara Toi o Te Taniwha, an interactive animated guided arts experience developed by Creative Waikato in partnership with PickPath.
This unique creative experience takes participants through the city’s CBD, exploring local street art and cultural stories in a game-like mixed media format.
Walking from the river to the highest point of Kirikiriroa Hamilton CBD, it creates a fun way to incorporate active movement through a creative experience.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s so much to rediscover and enjoy. Start your journey with lovethecentre.co.nz, your ultimate guide to the best places to eat, shop, and experience in Hamilton’s central city.
Hamilton has a thriving arts scene, and it's just getting better and better all the time.
Opening night for the $80 million Waikato Regional Theatre has been pushed out to next year, about a year later than originally planned, because of a tight market for materials and other factors. However, the budget is still going to script and structural.
Hamilton has a thriving arts scene, and it's just getting better and better all the time.
This is the view of one of those who has been a driving force in local theatre, both on the stage and in the back office.
“Green tights and a big plant outfit” is where it all started for theatre-maker and Clarence St Theatre general manager Shaun Bugden while a student at Hillcrest High School.
The region’s leaders, canvassed on their key takeaways from 2024, have come up with some remarkably similar conclusions - and some great expectations.
Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said her main lesson from 2024 was to “to keep the optimism and positivity to get through the tough times ... As a politician it is important to keep a positive lens on whatever it is you are doing.
There is one thing I can’t forgive myself for after living 13 years as a JAFA - I didn’t know about Waikato River as a tourist destination.
I’d been to Hamilton many times before moving here. On a typical family trip, we would spend a morning at the Gardens and hop to Sichuan Style on Collingwood Street for their spicy fish fillet - a typical itinerary for many Auckland Chinese.
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery celebrates its reopening with a jam-packed season ahead of amazing exhibitions and programmes.
After a six-month closure for extensive renovations, the Museum is ready to welcome visitors to their opening weekend’s ‘housewarming’ celebration to experience the improvements as well as the four new exhibitions alongside established favourites including Exscite.
Waikato Regional Theatre general manager Gus Sharp says the new deal “puts Hamilton on the map of the Interational touring circuit with a nail, not a thumbtack”.
A non-stop cavalcade of top international talent is now guaranteed for the city with the world’s biggest live entertainment company signing a 15-year lease to run the Waikato Regional Theatre.
The deal is with Live Nation, which operates top Auckland venue Spark Arena and, among other feats, recently brought Coldplay to New Zealand.
Hamilton’s civic Christmas tree is the largest of all the four main centres, and on par with them in terms of ratepayer funding.
Of Aotearoa’s four main centres - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton - the city’s tree stands at a whopping 27m to the tip of its star and is by far the tallest.
Back in 2012, former Hamilton mayor Julie Hardaker was keen to turn the city into New Zealand's Christmas capital, but received a grinch-like response from some locals.
Welcome to Escapist NZ, Hamilton’s premier destination for immersive escape rooms, mind-bending puzzles, and a haven for board game enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle solver or a curious newcomer, their unique blend of adventure and relaxation promises an unforgettable experience for everyone.
Immersive Rooms and Puzzles
Step into a world of mystery and intrigue with their meticulously designed escape rooms. Each room offers a unique storyline, challenging puzzles, and an immersive environment that will transport you to another world. Work together with your team to uncover clues, solve riddles, and escape before time runs out. The rooms are perfect for friends, families, and corporate teams looking for a fun and engaging activity.
Board Game Café
After your escape room adventure, unwind in the cozy boardgame café. With a wide selection of classic and modern board games, there’ssomething for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re in the mood for a strategicgame of Settlers of Catan or a light-hearted round of Codenames, the friendlystaff are always on hand to help you find the perfect game.
Retail Store
Take a piece of the adventure home with you from the retail store. They offer a variety of board games, puzzles, and escape room-themed merchandise. Whether you’re looking for a new game to add to your collection or a unique gift for a friend, you’ll find it here.
Visit Today
Located in the heart of Hamilton, Escapist NZ is the perfect place to escape the ordinary and dive into a world of fun and excitement. Book your escape room experience today and discover why they're a favorite spot for adventure and entertainment.
A game of wits and teamwork - find locations and solve cryptic puzzles to unlock secrets!
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Hamilton with Te Ahurei Māori Tourism. Founded by Les Tuteao, a descendant of local Māori teachers and storytellers, Te Ahurei offers an authentic and engaging experience that brings the history and art of the Waikato region to life.
Experience the Art and Stories of Hamilton on a captivating two-hour walking tour that highlights seven significant public artworks throughout Hamilton. Led by Les Tuteao, this tour intertwines local historical narratives with the stories behind each artwork, including Michael Parekowhai’s“ Tongue of the Dog” and the interactive sculpture “Tōia Mai.” These pieces transform the streets of Hamilton into an open-air gallery, showcasing the talent and creativity of local artists.
For more information and to book your tour, contact Les -tuteao@teahureimaoritourism.nz
Discover the heart and soul of Hamilton with Te Ahurei Māori Tourism. Your journey into the rich tapestry of Māori culture awaits.
It’s a chocolate lover’s dream at Theobroma Chocolate Lounge.
Located in the heart of Hamilton’s CBD, the chocolate themed cafe sells creamy Belgian chocolate delights, from gourmet hot chocolates to bite sized chocolate ducks and fish.
Surrounded by sugary delights every day, owner Ian Roberts-Thomson said his favourite part of the job isn’t the chocolate, but the look of delight he sees on customers’ faces.
Their bestseller is a traditional Belgian hot chocolate.
Whenever a customer spins a yarn about their latest outdoor adventure and they don’t mention their feet, Colin Hancock knows he’s done a good job.
His store Trek ‘n’ Travel - a central Hamilton institution - sells everything outdoorsy, from camping equipment to hiking gear.
But one item is a step ahead of the rest - a good, sturdy pair of hiking boots.
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Every year in August, Hamilton Book Month celebrates New Zealand authors and their writing, with events covering different genres and age groups. Readers from the Waikato and beyond are invited to meet authors, listen to them discuss their work, and ask questions. With activities and events for all ages, all month, this is a local celebration you won't want to miss.
Visit their website for the full schedule of events.
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Opening: 5.30 - 7.30pm
Thursday 14th August 2025
Exhibition Date: 14th August - 13th September 2025
In Reflex, Sarah Munro invites viewers into a quiet, instinctual space — where watercolor becomes not a tool of control, but a collaborator in uncertainty. These works arise from a process of immediate, unfiltered response: to memory, to mood, to the body’s own rhythm.
Watercolor, with its fluidity and resistance to overworking, mirrors Munro’s interest in what lies beneath conscious thought. Each brushstroke is a reflex — quick, unrehearsed, and honest. Color seeps, bleeds, and settles in ways that cannot be entirely predicted, revealing the tension between surrender and intention that defines her practice.
Rather than plan or perfect, Munro listens. She listens to the way water moves, how pigment pools or vanishes, how gesture meets gravity. The result is work that feels ephemeral yet grounded—at once fleeting and deeply rooted in presence.
Reflex is not a narrative. It is an impulse. A visual record of the moment before interpretation, before language. In this body of work, Munro explores what happens when we trust the immediacy of the hand, the weight of the brush, and the quiet logic of the unconscious.
Han Chao - Hanrad Gallery
Artist Statement:
I am a studio-based painter in Hamilton, New Zealand and an academic specialising in creative practice research in painting and embodied cognition. I have exhibited in New York, Italy and France. Since 2018, I have taught art theory and supervised Honors and Masters-level creative practice research at Waikato Institute of Technology. My doctoral studies explored how painting activates embodied cognition and I am committed to developing this research in both my painting practice and teaching.
Sarah Mitchell Munro
The Bruce Springsteen Experience is an international-level show dedicated to honouring the timeless music of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Featuring a full nine-piece lineup, this captivating performance delivers an electrifying blend of visual and audio excitement. Audiences are consistently wowed, with standing ovations being the norm.
As 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic "Born to Run" album, The Bruce Springsteen Experience will perform the album in its entirety, along with a selection of The Boss's greatest hits. This special celebration promises to be a remarkable tribute, allowing fans to relive the magic of Springsteen’s music like never before. Don't miss this unforgettable experience!
Saturday Night Fever defined the disco era and the high-energy second act delivers chartbuster after chartbuster from the Bee Gees, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Yvonne Elliman, The Trammps, Graham Bonnet and others – Night Fever, Jive Talkin’, Disco Inferno, Stayin’ Alive, More Than A Woman, Emotion, Warm Ride, If I Can’t Have You, How Deep is Your Love, You Should be Dancing and so much more.
Saturday Night Fever was the biggest selling sound recording between 1977 and 1980 with highest daily sales of 200,000 USA copies, and topped the popularity surveys of Billboard, Cashbox and Record World.
Awarded the Album of the Year Grammy in 1979, the release stayed in the Top 200 for 29 consecutive months and made Barry Gibb the first solo songwriter in history to have three consecutive #1’s and four songs in the Top Ten simultaneously.
Saturday Night Fever has since been added to the American National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically and aesthetically significant”. Stayin’ Alive continues to make history as it features the first drum loop ever recorded on a pop music track and the Brooklyn Shuffle moves are still in evidence on the dance floor.
After humble beginnings in a garage, to a record-breaking rise to the top of the podcast charts, Aotearoa’s favourite trio — Jordan Vaha'akolo, Brook Ruscoe, and Marc Peard — are taking The Morning Shift to the people. This August and September, they’ll be bringing eight massive shows across Aotearoa and Australia in their first-ever LIVE tour.
Real people, real talk and now real life. Expect all the stuff you love from the podcast: deep kōrero, big laughs, a few tears, spontaneous/questionable singing, plus whatever Jordan decides to overshare that night. The live show brings the podcast to life, with that signature Morning Shift energy that turns commutes into therapy sessions and takes gym workouts to another level.
The Morning Shift is more than a podcast, it's a community. Having now ticked over two years of being #1 in your hearts (sometimes #1 in the charts), their podcast has become a staple for thousands of New Zealanders who tune in daily.Whether you’re a Day One Shifter or just joined the movement last week — this is your moment.
Rally the crew, book the babysitter, and get ready for a night that promises to shift you.Thanks to Nando’s, who’ve helped take this dream from the garage to the stage.Shift Nation, we on.
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The Black Flames are ready to burn the house down.
It’s been 30 years since Aaron Gascoigne stormed Hamilton stages fronting local rock legends ColdShock — a band that left its mark on the city with raw power, sweat, and sound. Now he’s back. And this time, he’s bringing fire, brass, and a full-blown musical machine.
The Black Flames are an 11-piece supergroup fusing rock, funk, and soul — the brainchild of Netherworld Dancing Toys founder Nick Sampson, alongside longtime collaborators Tim Robinson and Steve Shaw.
Up front:
Gascoigne — Waikato-born and battle-tested — a showman with the grit of rock and the heart of soul.
Beside him: Moana Richardson — a phenomenal young soul vocalist whose star is rising fast. Taking on the mantle once held by Annie Crummer, Moana brings undeniable power, grace, and soul well beyond her years. She’s the real deal — and she’s just getting started.
On guitar and vocals, Nick Sampson — the songwriter behind some of New Zealand’s biggest anthems (and yes, For Today is in the set).
In the engine room: Steve Shaw (The Loving Arms) on bass, Tim Robinson on drums, and Michael Larsen (ex-Jan Hellriegel band) on keys.
Overhead? A horn section that slaps — five of NZ’s finest from The Instigators, Wonderfish Collective, The Alibis and more — razor-sharp and loud as hell.
Their brand new single launches live on the night.
And it’s not just The Black Flames lighting up the room — opening the night are two of NZ’s most exciting young bands:
Pocket Watch — a gritty, high-energy crew with killer riffs and youthful swagger.
The Rain — indie rock with soul, heart, and hooks that stay with you long after the lights go out.
This isn’t just a gig — it’s a homecoming.
A new chapter.
And a chance to dance like it's 1994 again — but bigger, tighter, and groovier than ever.
A celebration of Afrikaans with Bobby van Jaarsveld, Ruhan du Toit and Corlea Both with JD Mars.
This is three hours of great Afrikaans music by the best from South Africa. Kom kuier saam in jou taal by Afrikaans is Lekker. Moontlik gemaak deur die ondersteuning van Afriforum Wereldwyd.
Hamilton’s own Berkley Normal Middle School turns up the volume with Disney’s Camp Rock The Musical!
Mitchie, Shane and their friends square off against rival Camp Star in a winner-takes-all showdown bursting with guitar-driven anthems, energetic choreography and hits like “This Is Me,” “Can’t Back Down” and “We Rock.”
Packed with humour and heart, this 70-minute, family-friendly production proves that friendship beats fame and music shines brightest when shared. Enjoy high-energy performances and irresistibly catchy pop-rock numbers, brought to the stage by Berkley students. Book now and join the jam!
Disney’s Camp Rock The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI.
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SkyCity Hamilton this August presents the very best in Local and International Stand Up comedy once again.
Their headline act this month is the amazing Hayley Sproull. Star of the ZM Morning show, Taskmaster, 7 Days and host of this year's Comedy Gala, we are honoured Hayley will be at Hamilton's newest and best comedy club.
Support will be from one of Hamilton's finest exports, Paul Douglas. The master yarn spinner has been one of the busiest comedians in New Zealand since he broke onto the scene 10 years ago with commanding performances on The Comedy Gala and 7 Days.
“There are many ways to enjoy pleasure and laughter as a human being, one of the easiest is watching Paul Douglas” - Dai Henwood
The show will be hosted by the hairiest and best known faces in NZ comedy, Ben Hurley.
R18
General Admission: $43.28 each ($39.00 + $4.28 fees)
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Step inside a compelling visual narrative that challenges society’s assumptions and celebrates the power of change. RAW Beauty is a transformative photographic master’s exhibition curated by Annah
Stretton, bringing to light the stories of waahine with lived experience of incarceration not as statistics, but as women of deep strength, mana, and untapped potential.
In this collection of striking portraits and personal reflections, the exhibition directly responds to the historic injustice of the state mugshot imagery captured and circulated without agency or consent. Here, those same women reclaim their image, voice, and future on their own terms.
The work has been developed in partnership with the waahine of RAW (Reclaim Another Woman), a pioneering social initiative that supports high-risk women to exit cycles of offending, poverty, and dependence. RAW offers a long-term, wraparound model of care that includes education, employment, and whaanau reconnection, walking alongside women both during and after their time in prison.
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11am – 12.30am
1pm – 2.30pm
3pm – 4.30pm
5pm – 6.30pm
7pm – 8.30pm
Ticket Price
Non-Members Ticket Price - $50
Bookings for a Table of up to 4 Guests
Choose from 40+ available wines to taste
8 different countries and over 20 different regions
Taste up to 15 different wines & Specialty Products
No BYO. Food availability at venue
Parking available on site
Book a table for up to 4 people
Exclusive Event Only offers available on the day
Limited seats available. Register early to secure your preferred day & session time.
The Wine Community Members (and guests) - FREE
No Large Group Bookings. Maximum 1 Table per group
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After months of hard work, Bruce Cooper and I are proud to share The View from Poets Corner – a short film packed with creativity that brings Bruce’s poetry to life.
Premiere Night – Saturday 9 August
Nivara Lounge, Hamilton
Doors 7PM | Screening 8PM
Koha/donation entry – everyone welcome
Join us for the very first public screening, with a live poetry reading from Bruce and music from the incredible one-man band Mike Conlon.
Come grab a drink, hear the words, and see the film on the big screen for the first time.
Big Thanks To Hamilton City Council, The Creative Communities Scheme, and Creative Waikato for Funding and Support in the Development of this Film
About the Film.
Bruce Cooper, a Māori street poet from Fairfield, shares four raw and reflective poems inspired by the signs and stories of Poets' Corner. Filmed with a DIY spirit, it blends lo-fi charm and poetic grit – with cardboard props and handmade sets bringing Bruce’s words to life. Honest, creative, and rooted in place, The View from Poets' Corner turns everyday struggle into spoken word theatre.
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Champagne Weather sounds like diving headfirst into a pool. For a moment, everything disappears. For a moment, you're wrapped in a bubble that drowns out the noise.It's bold new music from Canadian Folk Music Award-winners and JUNO nominees James Hill and Anne Janelle. Both artists have one foot in folk music and the other in contemporary classical. Champagne Weather finds them artfully bridging these two worlds with a sound that evokes Philip Glass and Steve Reich even as it harks back to Appalachian fiddle and English folksong.Champagne Weather creates space. Space between the mind and the body, space to be together, space to be alone. Strange and beautiful music for strange and beautiful times.Special opening set by Wildhorse.
All ages.
$19.00+BF
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