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Inside the Waikato Regional Theatre

The Waikato’s new regional theatre is about to become a theatre of mystery - or, to describe it a little more eloquently, a masterpiece mystery theatre.

The Waikato Times was this week granted a tour of the building’s interior - a guided visit that provides more than a few hints of the sheer magnitude of splendour the Waikato Regional Theatre - due to open later this year - will provide the people of Kirikiriroa.

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CBD retailers have endured tough economic times but a senior business leader is seeing more optimistic signals, while shop owners have mixed views about 2025.

Concerns include the impact on shopper numbers of having just one hour free parking in the CBD, introduced last year. Customers have reported being resistant to paying for more time.

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Hamilton Central Business Association general manager Vanessa Williams said on Wednesday that she’d been chatting to about half a dozen retailers this year about how things were going over January.

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Jeremy Mayall almost got a proper job once. Fresh out of school, he figured doing law at university would be the way to go.

The application included writing a page about why he wanted to be a lawyer.

As easy as that sounds - hey, just lie if you have to - he couldn’t do it. A fateful decision was made, he changed to a BA, majoring in music, screen studies and theatre.

These days the flamboyantly bearded Mayall is chief executive of Creative Waikato, a musician and composer, and a consummate proponent for the arts.

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Dumplings are one of the most common dishes ordered from a Chinese restaurant on any given day.

They’re not hard to make from scratch, as anyone from northern China will tell you. Growing up, dumpling making was the ultimate family activity - there’s no such thing as “too many cooks in the kitchen”.

With Lunar New Year approaching, why not give this dish a go? Trust me, as someone who is a terrible cook, it’s not as hard as it looks.

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Renting with SB owner Storm Benson started the business out of her university flat and now has a shop in central Hamilton.

When Storm Benson was a struggling student and couldn’t afford a different dress every week despite her desire to look good, the idea for a business was born.

Seven years later, she’s rented clothing to others more than 16,000 times, moved her side hustle from a Hamilton flat to a CBD shop and sends out 80-100 people into the world in a new dress each week.

The 27-year-old came up with the idea while at Waikato University.

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Try riding with Flex for only $2 per ride!

The New Zealand-built buses are smaller and have comfortable seats that are fitted with seatbelts and can carry 13 passengers, or 10 people and a wheelchair user.

Bookings can be made up to a week in advance of travel, or just 15 minutes before you’re ready to go. The buses are GPS tracked in real time, so you can track your ride in the Flex app.

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“For people wanting to get to and from the CBD, we’re really excited to be able to provide an affordable option for people wanting a corner-to-corner service rather than only stopping at bus stops,” said Regional Connections Committee Chair and Waikato regional councillor Angela Strange.

“The service will take people with a mobility impairment driveway-to-driveway – all you have to do is let us know when registering on the Flex app.

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Book now in three easy steps:

Download the FREE Flex app

Set up your rider profile with your preferred payment method

Select your preferred location, time and the best pick up and drop off points for your journey into the city - and return!

Easy! Group bookings are available (up to 13 seats) and Flex vehicles are wheelchair friendly too!

Flex operates every Friday and Saturday from 6pm-4am.

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Prepare for an exciting four days of art, culture, and community.

Boon Street Art Festival to Transform Hamilton with Stunning Murals and Cultural Experiences – March 13th-16th, 2025

Kirikiriroa, Hamilton, prepare for an exciting four days of art, culture, and community as the Boon Street Art Festival returns to Hamilton from March 13th to 16th, 2025. This exciting festival will feature an incredible artist lineup, an interactive community mural, and a variety of events designed to celebrate the city's creative spirit.

The talented artists set to showcase their work include international artist Alison Mooney, Alice Alva (Hamilton), Kophie Su’a Hulsbosch (Christchurch), Flox & Sweats (Auckland), Theo Arraj (Raglan), and Te Marunui Hotene (Whakatane).

One of the festival’s key highlights will be the sale of vibrant, one-of-a-kind murals. For just $3,500, each mural is accompanied by a plaque featuring the artist's name, a brief description of the artwork, and the buyer's logo. This initiative offers an exceptional opportunity to engage with and invest in the local creative world, allowing individuals and businesses to purchase artwork that truly lives on the street, enriching the public space.

We’re looking for passionate, team-oriented individuals who are eager to volunteer their time and energy to making this Street Art Festival come to life. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience, meet new people, and have some fun with like-minded individuals. To sign up or learn more, please email Megan at volunteers@boonarts.co.nz

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If you love art and puzzles, then this is for you!

Confinement Games and Boon Art is perfect for you! With cryptic directions and clues, find the art, solve the question, and move on. Learn about the artist, the artwork, have fun exploring the city, and discover artworks you may have never seen!

Choose which area you want to explore, grab your team, or go it alone. For groups, we recommend the purchase of individual games so that each player can have access to the app on their own device.  This way players can read and play at their own pace. There is no minimum or maximum number of people that can play at any given time.

Can be played anytime with no time limit either as a team or an individual. Solve clues, find the art!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Calling all students and anyone who remembers what it's like to party like one. The Outback Inn is hosting Hamilton's biggest student New Year's Eve bash, with doors opening at 10pm on 31 December. Bring your energy, bring your friends for a great night. R18

If you're after something a bit more underground and electric, Nivara Lounge is serving up CLUB ZION, a themed New Year's Eve dance party with Matrix inspired vibes.  Cosplay encouraged. 8pm-1am. Tickets $20.00 + $3.25 fees or $30 on the door. R18 event.

When you want to dance until your feet hurt (in the best way possible), House on Hood has you covered. DJs will be playing from 9pm right through until 3am. R20

Lucky Finns is throwing open its doors at 10pm with DJs Kellyn and Ric Rush on the decks, free entry, and drink specials to keep the good times flowing. Enjoy a fun night out with your favourite people. R18

New Year's Eve
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Party kicks off from 8pm
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Main Gaming Floor,  Amuse Bar & Kitchen,  Number Eight Bar
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Get ready to shine, sparkle and dance your way into 2026!

This New Year's Eve, SkyCity Hamilton is turning back the clock with a full-blown Disco-themed celebration - glitter, groove and good vibes guaranteed.

Feel the funk with high energy live music from Groove Street and Gold Dust Divas in Amuse Bar & Kitchen and Number Eight Bar.

What's New Years' Eve without a little extra excitement? We'll be having cash prize draws at 8.30pm, 10.30pm and 12.30am, with $2,026 cash up for grabs at each draw - find out more here.

Dust off the sequins, bring your best dance moves, and let's celebrate the new year the disco way!

See you on the dance floor.

R20
Game Responsibly.

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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. 🎅🎁

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

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.‍

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.