Explore

Trek ‘n’ Travel prides itself on the best quality equipment and clothing for tramping, trail running and travel - this specialist independent store is one of the last of its kind. Open since 1997, the Victoria Street mainstay has attracted faithful locals since day one and welcomes many Waikato out-of-towners through its door too. Store owner Colin spent time travelling the country before settling in Hamilton, and artefacts from his travels (and those of others) can be found perching on shelves around the store.

True is connecting the dots between Hamilton and the wider fashion world, with friendly service and a particularly sharp eye for warm colours, rich fabrics and high-quality clothing. The boutique opened in March 2017 as one woman’s dream to put some more goodness in this developing city and is now part of a close network of retailers who pride themselves on fine clothing and goods.True’s range of beautiful, ethical European labels is carefully laid out and arranged to help you curate your look with timeless style.

Sustainability is the word on everyone’s lips at the moment, and the small changes we can make to keep our country clean, green and free from pollution are paramount. To put it plainly: beating the heavy city traffic on a good ol’ electric pair of wheels seems like a bloody good idea. Enter: Electrify. Without even planning it, Dee and Dan Tairaki started their journey with electric bikes on “Car Free Day”. From the humble Kiwi beginnings of a marquee and a couple of bikes to a 200m² building, the popularity for e-bikes is growing as people come from all over for the team’s willingness to give honest and helpful advice (without the sales pitch).

We all know what it’s like to try on (what feels like) millions of jeans in a shop until you inevitably leave feeling frustrated and hopeless. Thankfully, Texas Radio is here to change that. This is a true denim speciality shop (there’s only a handful left in the country!). They carry as many as 25 brands - including the classic and coveted Levi 501s - so you’re sure to find a pair of jeans that suit your figure. The passionate and knowledgeable staff make you feel right at home while they get to work finding you the ideal fit for your preferences and body type.

This co-operative store brings together eight passionate collectors, each offering their own carefully curated collections to the community. From records and decor to rare memorabilia, there is a diverse and ever-changing mix of items for passionate collectors and curious shoppers alike.The idea for Fossick was born from a group of friends with extensive collections looking for a way to sell their items. By pooling resources and sharing responsibilities, they were able to ensure consistent hours in its first year of opening, one of the keys to Fossick’s initial success.

HANRAD is a creative space where founder Barry and his team work with their clients to create rugs that are truly unique to them. To some, rugs are just rugs, but at HANRAD each rug is bespoke, a work of art. The concept is simple: each client experiences an individual journey to arrive at the perfect rug, and whether it’s an art inspired design or one of HANRAD’s in-house designs, each rug can be customised to the ideal size, shape or colour.Barry’s inspiration for design stems from his love of art and, in particular, contemporary art. Previously based in Beijing for 10 years, Barry worked on exciting interior design projects, sourcing inspirational design solutions.

At the helm are Dida and Erin, two individuals whose love for florals is only matched by their knack for bringing people together. Add to the mix their resident mascot (a mastiff border collie cross named Boy), and you’ve got the heart and soul of a place that’s as much about the banter as it is about the blooms. Drag your eyes away from the creative window displays and the store’s aesthetic is a striking blend of untamed natural beauty and thoughtful design. Plentiful greenery cascades from wooden shelves and hanging pots, creating a botanical haven that feels calming to the soul. The choice of wooden accents and earth-toned decor seamlessly marries the store’s urban setting with a rustic, wild charm.

Here, you have permission to lose yourself in all things eclectic and colourful, celebrating the true meaning of New Zealand-made art, crafts and treasures.Founder Lisa Voigt’s vision for the gallery was to “create a haven where people could come to appreciate a melting pot of New Zealand art and design.” It’s safe to say she’s absolutely nailed that.Upon entry, your eyes are spoiled for choice, with a range of paintings, glasswork, prints, ceramics and jewellery (and much more) to peruse. You’ll spot favourites from established Kiwi creatives as well as up-and-coming artists.

Housed within the Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery is Exscite, an interactive discovery centre offering a vibrant and engaging learning experience. Exscite’s seamless blending of fun with education makes it an ideal destination for families, especially those with children under the age of 15. Exscite reopened in July 2024 with a whole new look. It spans two floors, each level providing a unique focus. The ground floor, known as Exscite: Home, highlights the role of science in everyday life, while the upper floor, Exscite: Taiao, draws inspiration from the awa (Waikato River) and New Zealand’s interconnected natural environment.

Their annual street art festival has been breathing life into the streets of Kirikiriroa since 2015. You can still find their early murals hidden down curious little laneways around the inner city, but recent years have seen them commissioning both local and international artists to take over iconic hero walls across the city. ‘Art everywhere, everyday’ is Boon’s vision in a nutshell. The crew at Boon are big fans of public art and what it can do for the people who live and work in that area.

If you just can’t face another treadmill, and the thought of stepping into a gym makes you feel sick—we hear you. For those who are tired of the status-quo exercise tropes, listen up: Hamilton is home to a boutique fitness studio that will shake up your next sweat sesh.Founded by competitive pole dancer and qualified AntiGravity Fitness Instructor Laura Lockhart, HIGH ABOVE is a fitness hub like no other. Specialising in both aerial and pole classes, working out here is all about getting fit through having fun.

Something like a plush lounge meets garage: low-lit, slightly grungy and carpeted, of course. Hamilton’s Last Place Bar doesn’t have to be the last place you visit in a night, in fact, it’s well set up to be the beginning, middle or end of your evening, depending on your mood. Offering good beer, bad beer and everything in between, the crew at Last Place Bar are confident there will be something on the menu for every beer drinker. How could they not when they have one of the most extensive beer menus in the city? There are 10 brews on tap and over 100 beers in the fridge.

In addition to the number of keen buyers and sellers, it’s the city’s security measures that are working in its favour, according to owner owner Henrik Stovring.Some buyers and sellers have embraced the concept of an offline Facebook-like marketplace and 163 stalls have popped up since it opened on May 1 yet there’s still space for another 400 to 600 stalls.

Join us in Hamilton this April school holidays for a face-to-face Universal Wellbeing Workshop designed for school students aged 8 and over.

Held at the FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute, this interactive 3-hour session offers a meaningful and affordable school holiday activity that helps students understand what wellbeing means and how to care for their own.

Perfect for parents and caregivers looking for educational and engaging school holiday programmes, the workshop introduces students to the Universal Wellbeing Model – a research-backed framework that supports emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, and resilience in everyday life.

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15th & 16th April 2025

9.30am - 12.30pm

Cost $30 per student. Limited spaces. Register now.

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A special afternoon at the HANRAD gallery as they unveil the stunning rug design by Samantha Callaghan, the winner of their design competition incollaboration with WINTEC’s design students!

Last year, Hanrad challenged a group of WINTEC students to create a rug based on a design brief we provided—Samantha’s concept stood out, and they’ve brought it to life with their expert craftsmanship. Now, we’re excited to showcase the finishedpiece to the student body and design faculty.

Opening:Thursday the 10th of April at 4:30pm

Exhibition Date: 10th - 30th April

Come and celebrate the next generation of design talent!

Basketball fans won’t want to miss the Trans-Tasman Throwdown, an electrifying basketball series featuring Australia’s Boomers vs. New Zealand’s Tall Blacks and the 2degrees Tall Ferns vs. the Opals. This high-energy event rekindles one of the fiercest rivalries in international sports, as Australia and New Zealand battle it out across three exciting games.

This is a unique opportunity to see both countries’ national basketball teams in action on their home turf. It’s the first time the Boomers have played the Tall Blacks in Australia since 2021, and nearly ten years since the Tall Blacks hosted the Boomers in New Zealand.

The Opals and 2degrees Tall Ferns will face off after an intense 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup bronze medal match, where Australia narrowly defeated New Zealand. This will be the Tall Ferns’ first home game in over five years and the first time the Opals have played in New Zealand since 2015.

Don't miss out on this chance to witness some of the world’s best basketball teams compete live. Get your tickets now for this historic series!

Corporate Hospitality: Interested in an exclusive experience? For corporate hospitality options, email spoiltforchoice@h3group.co.nz

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Peppa Pig is back touring New Zealand for the first time since 2018 in her oink tastic stage show, Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out LIVE! Prepare to sing and dance with colourful scarecrows, feed the penguins, build big sandcastles, and even swim in the sea! Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out LIVE! guarantees giggles and snorts for all Peppa fans and is a perfect introduction to theatre.

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Join Professor Penfold in his race against time to create a fantastical solution to the city’s rubbish problem!

With an impatient mayor breathing down his neck, an enthusiastic but clumsy nephew causing havoc in the lab, what more could possibly go wrong for the professor?

The Perfectly Peculiar Practice of Professor Penfold is a wonderfully wacky, and joyful experience for people of all ages – kids and parents alike!

Written by Scott Granville and Courteney Mayall

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1st July -Saturday, 5thJuly, 10:30 am & 1 pm (10:30 am only on Sat 5^thJuly)

Presented in the style of a wartime radio broadcast, this special concert will take you on a journey of remembrance, courage, and camaraderie. Join us as we honour the heroes of the past with music that echoes through history.

Running time: 120 mins

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Looking for an unforgettable school holiday adventure? The premiere of ‘Little Red: The Musical’ – a brand-new, exciting twist on the classic fairytale!

Follow Little Red and her new friend Jamie as they journey through the familiar story with fresh surprises, catchy original songs, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. This magical performance is brought to life by our talented local tamariki, ready to entertain audiences of all ages these school holidays.

Wednesday, 16th April, 11:00am & 2:30 pm, Thursday, 17th April, 11:00 am & 2:30

Running time 60 minutes

“The Bell” is a wordless visual symphony, where hand-crafted puppets come to life, blending with hypnotic juggling such as buugeng and contact juggling. A bossy juggler puppet and his apprentice puppeteer arrive on stage with a suitcase full of surprises, inviting audiences of all ages into a world of transformation and play.

Created by Naranjarte and developed in collaboration with Fraser Hooper and Di Filippo Marionette.

Juggler: Sergio Aguilar

Puppeteer and puppet maker: Ana Lorite

Costume design: Sarah Bell

Set building: Jon Coddington

Naranjarte is a Spanish Puppet Theatre and Circus company founded by Ana Lorite and Sergio Aguilar in 2011. Known for their fusion of puppetry and circus, they have performed over 400 shows across 17 countries, bringing immersive performances and cultural exchange to diverse audiences. Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, they continue to tour internationally, sharing their passion for puppetry and juggling through visual theatre, illusion, and play.

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Run time: 45 mins

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A Hamilton-based festival for self-publishers of comics, poetry, collage, fan-art, photo essays and more.

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Stall holder applications now open https://forms.gle/rsQMTGMFNKHmHoZq9

Join us on Sunday the 20th of April for our Easter Bottomless Brunch at House!

Experience Yoga, Pilates, Meditation, Sauna + Ice Baths, Normatec Recovery, and more - all included in one ticket! The O-Wellness Festival brings together community, fun, and self-care for a morning of movement and recovery. Enjoy over $180 worth of wellness experiences!

Investment: Early Bird $49, Standard Price $59. Limited tickets available

Renowned Hamilton chef Andrew Clarke has created a four course tasting menu to match four Whitehaven wines.Danny from Whitehaven will be joining us as our wine ‘tour guide’ for the evening, giving insights into the winery and the way that the chosen varietals match each course.

This event starts at 6pm and tickets are just $59 per person. To book, please email info@keystonebar.co.nz - make sure you get in early as there are limited spots available!

Join us for an evening of fashion and philanthropy at our exclusive Sip & Shop Sale! Browse through a stunning collection of high-end preloved designer and quality brand clothing at incredible prices, all while supporting a wonderful cause.

Hosted by our generous supporters at Harkness Henry, this event offers the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe with stylish treasures while enjoying a complimentary glass of bubbles. Every purchase helps fund Dress For Success Hamilton's mission to empower women in our community.

Entry: FREE!

All proceeds support Dress For Success Hamilton's work providing professional attire and career development tools to women entering or returning to the workforce.

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