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.

A café that’s quietly become one of Hamilton’s most celebrated coffee spots.Demi Urgos is more than just a café—it’s a destination for coffee lovers who appreciate quality, community, and a touch of artistry.
While coffee is the star, Demi Urgos also offers a satisfying menu of baked goods and light bites.
Demi Urgos is known for its unpretentious, cosy vibe making it a great spot to catch up with friends, enjoy a solo coffee break, or even work remotely.
Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or just looking for a great café in Hamilton, Demi Urgos is a must-visit.

Hamilton’s dessert scene just got a whole lot sweeter with the arrival of Kori Desserts, a vibrant new café on Ward Street that’s serving up a delicious mix of Korean-inspired treats and Instagram-worthy creations. Since opening early July 2025, it’s quickly become a go-to destination for anyone with a sweet tooth—and for good reason.
Kori Desserts specialises in Asian-style sweets, with a focus on Korean and Japanese flavors. Their menu features a mouthwatering selection of:
Prices range from $11 to $28, with generous portions designed to be shared—though you might want to keep them all to yourself!
Every dish at Kori Desserts is a visual delight. From the towering soufflé pancakes to the vibrant bingsu bowls. If you are looking for a dessert that tastes as good as it looks, this is the place to be.

Rocket Coffee Roasters has long been a local favorite for coffee lovers. But in 2025, this humble café made international headlines—ranked 62nd in the world on a prestigious list of top coffee shops. Rocket Coffee is the only New Zealand café to earn a spot on the global stage.
Rocket isn’t just a café—it’s a coffee destination. Co-owner Glen Crompton describes it as a place where the focus is purely on coffee. No food, no distractions—just expertly roasted beans and beautifully crafted drinks.
Beyond the beans, Rocket is deeply rooted in the Hamilton community. They highlight the farmers behind each coffee, support sustainable practices, and create a space where locals feel at home. As Crompton puts it:
“We let the coffees tell their story and their own flavours... This ranking is a reflection of the hard work and commitment to quality that we put into every cup.”
Whether you're a seasoned coffee connoisseur or just looking for your next great brew, Rocket Coffee Roasters is a must-visit in Hamilton. Come for the coffee, stay for the story—and experience one of the world’s best right here in Aotearoa.

Tucked away on Ward Street in the heart of Hamilton Central, La Promesse Bakehouse is a delightful bakery that’s quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Ling and Richard, this boutique bakehouse is all about quality, craftsmanship, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pastries.
La Promesse is known for its handcrafted pastries, made fresh daily with premium ingredients and a whole lot of love. Their display cabinet is a visual feast, often filled with:
Whether you're a pastry connoisseur or just love a good croissant, La Promesse Bakehouse is a must-visit in Hamilton.

If you're looking for bold flavors, festive vibes, and a true taste of Mexico in the heart of Hamilton, El Mexicano Zapata Cantina is your go-to destination.This lively cantina brings the spirit of Mexico to the Waikato with colorful décor, handcrafted cocktails, and a menu packed with authentic street food favorites.
El Mexicano Zapata serves up a delicious array of traditional Mexican dishes, including:
They also offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, making it a welcoming spot for all dietary preferences.
There wide selection of drinks include these favourites:
Whether you're a taco lover, a tequila enthusiast, or just in the mood for a fun night out, El Mexicano Zapata Cantina delivers a fiesta every time. Come hungry, leave happy—and don’t forget to try the churros!

If you're craving bold flavors, vibrant spices, and the comforting warmth of Southeast Asian cuisine, look no further than Penang Street Food in Hamilton. This restaurant brings the soul of Malaysian street food to the Waikato with a menu that’s as rich in culture as it is in taste.
Penang Street Food is inspired by the bustling hawker stalls of Penang, Malaysia. The restaurant blends traditional Malay recipes with a modern dining experience, offering dishes that speak to heritage, family, and flavor.
Some of their standout menu items include:
They also offer vegetarian options, crispy snacks like curry puffs and wontons, and refreshing Malaysian drinks like 100 Plus and A&W Root Beer.

Located in the heart of Hamilton’s vibrant dining district, Iguana Street Bar & Restaurant is a local favorite known for its relaxed atmosphere, creative menu, and unbeatable weekly specials. Whether you're after a casual dinner, a night out with friends, or a hearty Sunday roast, Iguana delivers every time.
With a different dining in deal every day of the week. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:
Monday - $20 Large pizzas.
Tuesday - Date night, dessert cocktails and dessert night $9.50 single and $16.50 share
Wednesday - $1.50 Chicken wings.
Thursday - All you can eat ribs.
Friday - $31 From the Grill.
Saturday – Platters Day
$36 -Entrée platter
$55- Mix grill platter
$28 – Dessert platter
Sunday - $31.50 Roast
Iguana is also a popular venue for birthdays, staff parties, and private functions, with flexible catering options and a space full of character.

Reform Fitness is redefining the way locals experience fitness. With a sleek studio, expert trainers, and a dynamic approach to movement, it’s more than just a workout—it’s a lifestyle.
Reform Fitness specialises in Dynamic Reformer Pilates, a high-intensity, low-impact workout designed to strengthen, lengthen, and tone your body. Their philosophy is rooted in the famous quote by Joseph Pilates:
“In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference, and in 30 you’ll be on your way to a whole new body.”
At the Hamilton CBD studio, you’ll find a variety of classes tailored to different fitness levels and goals:
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned athlete, Reform Fitness offers a welcoming and motivating environment to help you reach your goals.
Whether you're looking to build strength, improve flexibility, or just feel great in your body, Reform Fitness Hamilton CBD is a top-tier choice. With its modern facilities, expert trainers, and transformative workouts, it’s no wonder this studio is gaining a loyal following in the Waikato.

Nestled in the heart of Hamilton on bustling Victoria Street, Bel Merino is a beloved destination for anyone seeking authentic New Zealand gifts and souvenirs. Locally owned and operated for over 30 years, it’s the city’s longest-running souvenir shop—and for good reason.
Bel Merino prides itself on selling quality New Zealand gifts and NZ souvenirs, catering to every budget and taste. Whether you're a tourist, a local gift-hunter, or sending something special overseas, this shop has you covered.
Their extensive range includes:

Located in the historic Waikato Brewery Building, which dates back to 1887, Chim Choo Ree is a culinary gem that blends New Zealand and European cuisine with sophistication and flair. Since opening its doors in 2011, the restaurant has become a staple of Hamilton’s fine dining scene, known for its elegant atmosphere, creative dishes, and memorable dining experiences.
Chim Choo Ree menu is a combination of seasonal ingredients, local produce, and refined techniques, resulting in a menu that’s as dynamic as it is delicious.
Chim Choo Ree host exclusive dining events including their French Nights – A six-course tasting menu paired with French wines, celebrating the elegance of French cuisine.
Set in a beautifully restored heritage building, the ambiance at Chim Choo Ree is both intimate and stylish. The interior features warm lighting, elegant décor, and a layout that encourages relaxed conversation and connection.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a night of fine food and wine, Chim Choo Ree offers a dining experience that’s both elevated and welcoming.

Palate Restaurant stands out as a beacon of innovation, flavor, and hospitality. Founded in 2005 by award-winning chef Mat McLean, Palate has grown from a modest 45-seater into one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed restaurants, now located in the stylish SkyCity Hamilton complex on Victoria Street.
Mat McLean is regarded as one of New Zealand’s top chefs. A graduate of Waikato Polytechnic, Mat honed his skills in prestigious kitchens across London—including Michelin-starred restaurants Leith and The Capital Hotel—before heading to Melbourne, where he served as Head Chef at Middle Brighton Baths.
Returning to Hamilton in 2004, Mat saw an opportunity to bring Melbourne’s relaxed, high-quality dining vibe to his hometown. He opened Palate in early 2005, and despite a rocky start, quickly built a loyal following through his commitment to seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and technically refined cooking.

For over six decades, Gail’s Floral Studio has been a cornerstone of Hamilton’s floral scene, offering exquisite arrangements and world-class design from its central location on Worley Place. Founded in 1963 by internationally acclaimed floral designer Gail Jones, the studio has grown into a symbol of creativity, elegance, and dedication to the art of floristry.
Gail Jones is not just a florist—she’s a global floral ambassador. With a career spanning more than 60 years, Gail has represented New Zealand on the international stage
Gail’s Floral Studio is known for its premium floral arrangements and gift services, catering to all occasions:
- Wedding bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres
- Custom floral designs for events and corporate functions
- Nationwide flower delivery across Hamilton, Waikato, and New Zealand
- Curated gifts and dried flower arrangements
Fresh flowers are their specialty, and every arrangement reflects the studio’s commitment to quality and artistry

An independently owned bookshop tucked away in the picturesque Casabella Lane, Poppies Bookshop is a charming and thoughtfully curated independent bookstore that has become a cornerstone of Hamilton’s literary community.
The team at Poppies takes pride in offering an eclectic mix of popular, literary, and quirky titles, catering to readers of all ages and interests. Whether you're after the latest bestseller, a hidden gem, or a beautifully illustrated children’s book, you’ll find something special here
In addition to books, Poppies also stocks gorgoues greeting cards, gift wrap and stationery and gifts for book lovers.
Their collection is constantly updated, and the staff are always happy to help you find the perfect read—or even track down a hard-to-find title.
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HANRAD Gallery is delighted to present From Thought to Form – Materiality Speaking, a solo exhibition by acclaimed Swedish–New Zealand artist Sylvia Sinel. The exhibition opens on 6 November 2025 and runs until 18 January 2026, inviting viewers into a deeply sensory and contemplative experience of material, intuition, and transformation.
From Thought to Form is an interdisciplinary body of work that encourages audiences to connect with the mystical space where thought, surface, and soul intertwine. Sinel’s deeply rooted curiosity for materials and her continuous exploration of form have evolved into a distinctive artistic vocabulary and voice.
Through sculptural works, experimental surfaces, and poetic abstraction, the exhibition explores themes of transformation and transcendence. Each work acts as a vessel—holding memories, intuition, and knowing—extending an invitation to consider how matter might carry intention, and how viewers might engage not only with what is seen, but also with what is sensed.
Sylvia Sinel’s interdisciplinary practice spans over 35 years, with works held in private collections worldwide. Her creative drive is guided by a profound curiosity for materials and techniques, spirituality, and ancient wisdom traditions. The idea dictates the medium, and each piece is granted agency to find its own voice through an intuitive, responsive process.
Her unique form language draws inspiration from her Scandinavian heritage and evokes a sense of both familiarity and otherness.
Originally from Sweden, Sylvia emigrated to New Zealand in 2013 and settled in Hamilton, where she became an active contributor to the local art community. In 2025, she relocated to Auckland’s North Shore, where she is establishing a new studio and continues to teach at several local art centres.

Summer Live Music in Garden Place!
Grab your lunch and head down to Garden Place for live music by great local musicians!
All live music sessions are weather dependent.
Summer Line Up :
4th December - Sean Lurman
11th December - DJ KUDZ
18th December - DJ TAZ
15th January - Darze Keefe
22nd January - DJ DEGEN
29th January -Sean Lurman
5th February - DJ JAE
12th February - Andrew Price
19th February - DJ GETMELO
26th February - Darz Keefe
5th March - DJ TW3AK
12th March -Andrew Price
19th March - DJ CYPHR
26th March -TBC

Fashion For a Cause – A Night of Style, Culture & Purpose
The countdown has begun!
We’re just days away from Fashion for a Cause 2025 — a glamorous evening filled with style, purpose, and community spirit!
Join us for an unforgettable evening of fashion with heart at Fashion for a Cause, proudly presented by Rudra Entertainment and Rupal Solanki in support of St. John New Zealand.
This one-of-a-kind multicultural fashion show will showcase the incredible talent of local and emerging designers, featuring stunning collections from ethnic to modern and fusion styles.
But this event is more than just a runway. It is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community spirit. A portion of all proceeds will go directly towards supporting St. John New Zealand, helping them continue their life-saving work across Aotearoa.
Expect an evening filled with inspiring designer showcases, live entertainment, cultural performances, red carpet moments, and a meaningful cause that brings fashion and community together.
Come dressed to impress, enjoy the glamour, and be part of a night that truly makes a difference.
Limited seats available – book your tickets now.

Seddon Park will host the BLACKCAPS and West Indies in their 3rd ODI match of the series on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
Caribbean flair meets Kiwi fire.
BLACKCAPS v West Indies – tickets on sale now.
Big hits. Big names. Big series. Feel the electric atmosphere, soak up the summer vibes, and enjoy world-class cricket right here at home.
It’s the perfect day out for whānau, mates, or anyone who loves the game. These matches will be crowd favourites – secure your tickets now!
For hospitality packages and enquiries contact charlotte@ndca.co.nz

Get ready for a massive night of groove, rhythm, and energetic music!
Versailles is bringing their electrifying mix of reggae, dub, and funk—seasoned with tasteful jazz influences—for a high-energy set that will keep you moving. They'll be playing some fresh, brand-new original material, along with a selection of well-known covers that will have you singing along!
Opening the show is the incredibly talented Sahara, the winner of Rockquest 2025. Her captivating solo singer-songwriter performance will perfectly set the stage for an evening of unforgettable entertainment.
A jam-packed show with tons of energy and entertainment to offer—you don't want to miss this!

Worldwide sensation - the MAGIC MEN AUSTRALIA are finally coming your way!
For One Night Only, MAGIC MEN AUSTRALIA is bringing the heat with Australia's Hottest Male Revue Show!
Tickets
Regular Patron - $50 General non-reserved seating
Deluxe - $75 Priority Seating for the best views!
Premium - $95 VIP Seating for the ultimate front-row experience!
18+ ONLY

Roots Rising Tour – Presented by Titan Entertainment
Get ready for Roots Rising Tour, hitting Aotearoa across four incredible locations!
This is a tour you don’t want to miss, featuring three of Aotearoa’s most soulful and powerful reggae acts — House of Shem, Son and Water, and Brutha Rodz — bringing uplifting energy, rich harmonies, and authentic roots music to the stage.
House of Shem are back and stronger than ever, performing all their classic hits alongside brand new music that’s been making waves across the country.
Joining them is Son and Water, led by the legendary Jamie Ferguson — the saxophonist and songwriter behind many of Katchafire’s biggest hits. Now performing alongside his sons, Jamie and the band are creating fresh, inspiring sounds that are capturing hearts all over Aotearoa.
Adding to the lineup is Brutha Rodz, a true roots reggae storyteller known for his smooth vocals, conscious lyrics, and powerful live performances that connect deeply with the crowd.
This will be the first time Son and Water perform in many of these cities, making it an extra special experience for fans of real Aotearoa roots reggae

The "Sangamam 2025" NZ Tour featuring the legendary singer Srinivas & Sharanya Srinivas is proudly brought to life by Moksha Base. This marks a major milestone as Singer Srinivas and Sharanya Srinivas’s first-ever tour of New Zealand.
Singer Srinivas is a renowned Indian playback singer and composer, with a career spanning over three decades. His heartfelt vocals have graced more than 3,000 songs across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi cinema. His deep understanding of melody, combined with a mentor-like presence on reality TV, cements his status as an Indian music icon.
Sharanya Srinivas is a versatile and dynamic playback singer, known for her soulful voice and genre-spanning performances. Daughter of singer Srinivas, Sharanya has carved out her own space in the Indian music industry with playback credits in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi films. Trained in both Carnatic and Western music, she effortlessly blends classical precision with contemporary style.
Singer Srinivas and Sharanya Srinivas’s participation, alongside Moksha Base’s powerful live presence, elevates this concert tour into a once-in-a-lifetime experience, blending pure nostalgia for longtime fans with exciting new memories for the next generation.
This is not just a tour. It’s a celebration of identity, excellence, and the magic that happens when legends meet legacy.

It was the biggest concert tour in history, and now you can re-live the hype when TAYLOR: A Tribute to the Eras of Taylor Swift comes to Aotearoa!
Join us as we salute 'Tay Tay' and the indelible impact she's had on Pop music with this joyous, effervescent concert experience, complete with sparkly costumes, cosmic stage production and over 20 exquisite renditions of Taylor's biggest hits from every era of her career, including Shake It Off, Anti-Hero, Cruel Summer, You Belong With Me, Love Story, I Knew You Were Trouble, Blank Space, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Bad Blood, Our Song, Lover and more.

7th December, 2025 (Sun) 1:00pm7th December, 2025 (Sun) 4:00pm
Directions Dance Academy's annual Dance Show: The Four Elements.
Dancers of all ages will showcase a variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop as they portray the elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire.
From toe-tapping music, through to dazzling costumes, this is a spectacle which will delight the entire family.

t Doesn’t Matter Where you Sit, as long as you’re there!
Prepare to be spellbound by the mesmerising live encounter of Cael O'Donnell – With his signature magnetic stage presence, Cael is gracing our town for one-night-only. Get ready for an evening filled with Psychic ability that’s absolutely unmissable! Cael, the Psychic everyone's talking about with 1 million followers worldwide and featured regularly on Australian TV, is set to captivate you with heartfelt messages that touch your soul and lift your spirits.
He's not just a psychic; he possesses a gift that's often described as “off the charts”. Picture a night where hope takes centre stage – this isn't just 'another psychic show'; it's an unforgettable experience that will have you buzzing with excitement and reminiscing with mates for decades to come!

Luke Kidgell continues new World Tour in New Zealand in 2025!
Luke is known for his viral crowd-work interactions that often lead to some fairly unusual, yet hilarious encounters. Despite not having much control over his impulsive thoughts, Luke insists that deep down he means well, and this year he’s on a mission to prove it.
After touring Australia, the US, Canada, & Europe Luke is coming back to New Zealand with his brand-new show Good Intentions. This is not one to miss!
You’ve seen him on the internet, now it’s time to see him in real life, as Luke tries to prove that he really does have Good Intentions.

Te Kawau Toi | Wintec Performing Arts students, under the direction of Kyle Chuen, present The Witches of Eastwick. Written by John Dempsy and Dana P. Rowe, this devilishly dark comedy musical is based on the classic 1987-film.
In the sleepy New England town of Eastwick, three (not-so-wicked) witches Alexandra Spofford, Sukie Rougemont and Jane Smart are divorcees feeling trapped in their everyday humdrum lives. One stormy night, high on Martinis and brownies, they make a crazy wish for the man of their dreams. When Darryl Horne arrives, they quickly find out their wish has consequences they could never have imagine.
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