Hamilton has been recognised on the international stage for the Love the Centre campaign -- taking out the award over finalists from Sydney and Melbourne.

The Hamilton Central Business Association (HCBA) won the Best Traditional or Digital Marketing Award at the Mainstreet Australia 2025 Awards for the campaign.

The awards featured finalists from all over Australia and New Zealand, and honoured groups who were revitalising main streets.

HCBA General Manager Vanessa Williams said the group decided to enter the competition while organising their own Love the Centre Awards last year.

The HBCA were “so incredibly proud of the work that we had done with Daymark around the creation of the Love centre website”.

“So we thought, actually, yeah, let's put our money where our mouth is and, and see if there is an award programme that we could enter that celebrates our achievement as well.”

Asked how it felt to take out the award over other finalists, Williams said, “there was a lot of pride of Hamilton representing on the international stage against business associations in Sydney and Melbourne”.

“There was a little bit of chest puffing, I'll be honest.”

She said that the award recognised how the Love the Centre campaign showcased the city centre and local businesses.

“With our international flights we have with Jetstar now, you know, encouraging people over from Sydney and the Gold Coast, it's great to be able to profile the best of Hamilton City centre, and I think we do that.”

And what’s next for Love the Centre?

Williams said the HCBA were still growing the content of the site, and were listing more businesses. She added they were also looking into how they could use AI in the campaign.

“We're looking at different things that will make this a really functional site that people ... can use to really find the best of Hamilton Central.”

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From cakes to sweets, savouries and donuts, Gailers Cake Kitchen has it all.

The bakery’s roots date back to post-World War II, when a German man, Mr Gailer, moved to Hamilton.

Gailer opened the bakery in 1948, alongside two other staff members.

The bakery moved around Hamilton over the years, before settling on its current location in the northern part of Hamilton’s CBD.

Sharon Smith and her husband Brent have been running the Victoria St bakery for 30 years, though Smith said they originally planned to own it for only ten years.

Brent starts at 9pm and works through the night, making sure the sweets and pies are ready to go when the doors open at 6am.

Sharon and staffer Rachel, come in around 2am and stay on until closing at 2pm.

Smith said she wanted to sell the bakery two years before Covid, but her husband talked her out of it.

Explore the Japanese art of mokuhanga/water-based woodblock carving in this  Sunday workshop.

You will learn:

·       How to transfer a design onto a woodblock

·       Step-by-step carving of printing plates specifically for mokuhanga

One of the unique features of mokuhanga is its accessibility—no printing press or large studio is required.

This makes mokuhanga an ideal printmaking method for those who wish to set up a creative space at home.

All tools and materials necessary for the workshop, carefully selected to suit this technique, are provided by the tutor.

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K Chicken is the authentic Korean food experience, where you'll elevate your expectations of what fried chicken can — and should — be.

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Forget everything you thought you knew about crispy chicken; K Chicken is here to set the benchmark for decadence, texture, and seasoning. It's a must-visit for visitors and locals alike who want to rediscover the heart of the city.

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Beyond the Chicken: The Full K-Food Experience

While the Korean Fried Chicken is the main event, K Chicken's menu is a unique blend of traditional and modern Korean dishes, embodying the spirit of K-Food, food shared and generously.

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This is the perfect place to gather your friends and family after a day of exploring the Hamilton Centre. The menu is designed to give you maximum enjoyment and value, because in Korean culture, great food is meant to be shared.

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Varieties of Selections

Dive into Tteokbokki: soft, chewy rice cakes smothered in a rich, sweet, and spicy sauce —a popular Korean street food that's texturally diverse and so satisfying.

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Or if you're after a different kind of handheld meal, K Chicken's take on the classic fast food item—the K Burgers—feature juicy patties and Korean seasonings, offering a fusion of international comfort food.

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And the rice bowl options — Soy Honey Chicken on Rice or Spicy Chicken on Rice — are perfectly portioned, hearty meals with fluffy rice, tender chicken, and fresh coleslaw, making them great for a quick lunch during a busy shopping trip.

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Their generous portions and value for money have been a hit with our customers. A Combo Special, for instance, is often enough to satisfy three people, making it a bargain and a delicious choice for groups. This emphasis on value ensures that everyone leaves K Chicken feeling not just full, but also satisfied and smart for choosing us.

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This focus on generosity means everyone leaves feeling full and loved

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The atmosphere at K Chicken is part of the experience. It's clean, welcoming, and often has K-pop music playing, so you're immersed in the fun and vibrant K-culture that's taking over the world.

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It's where the food, music, and staff come together to make a meal to remember.