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.
Visit WSA to view the full time table and range ofamazing classes and workshops for all ages! Whether you enjoy or your child isinterested in painting, illustration or arts and crafts- there is something foreveryone to enjoy learning.
14 -24 April - School Holiday Programme
5-12 Years
9am - 12pm
$35 per child per session or $30 if attending 5 or more sessions
Monday 14th April - Autumn Painting and Clay
Tuesday 15th April - Watercolour and Minecraft Portrait Art
Wednesday 16th April - Collage Roofscape and Scratch Art
Thursday 17th April - Bunny Rabbit Art and Crafts
Tuesday 22nd April - Watercolour and clay animal
Wednesday 23rd April - Paper Wall Plate Pinting and Collage
Thursday 24th April - Robot and Sunset City Scape Art
14 - 17 April - Sculpture & 3D Character Design
12-17 Years
9am - 12pm
$190
Whether you want to sculpt a character who has human features, is a fire breathing dragon, or is a sub-Saharan lizard, the world is your oyster — so come along and learn how to sculpt with polymer clay.
Sculpting is immensely helpful for those wanting to improve their drawing skills, as you will begin to understand objects in a 3-dimsional format. It also serves as a stepping-stone for those planning to pursue a career in the film industry.
Auckland-headquartered Templeton and the city council announced on Thursday they’ve struck an unconditional deal with the city for the land next to Victoria on the River and promised to create an Auckland Viaduct-style hospitality precinct linking to the river.
The deal sees Templeton pay $6 million for council property at 242-254 Victoria St, Adjoining property at 260-266 Victoria St will be retained by the council and used to expand public space.
The new building’s still-to-be-finalised 25-storeys could be nearly double that of the current highest city building, the 13-storey Mistry Centre towering above Centre Place.
Whatever the weather, Hamilton Pottery Studio have got the perfect school holiday fun waiting for kids!
Clay and creativity don’t take a day off during the school holidays.
And grown-ups, don’t let the little ones have all the fun! Grab your friends and make it a pottery night out!
We’ve got space for you every session, so book now and let’s play with clay!
The Waikato Local
Opinion: Vanessa Williams
Hamilton's central city is buzzing with activity, making it a prime spot for businesses and events to flourish.
Recently, Love the Centre and NAI Harcourts showcased the exciting growth happening in the area, with a development tour for the central city business community.
The tour kicked off at the south end of town with the impressive Waikato Regional Theatre.
This project is really taking shape, and attendees got a unique perspective from the rooftop of the newly refurbished Subway building at 159 Victoria Street.
The theatre, which is set to be completed this year, reached a milestone on March 3 with the removal of the last crane, dramatically altering the city's skyline.
For a striking view of the Hinuera stone- clad walls, auditorium structure, and the crowning Fly Tower, the theatre team recommends visiting Victoria on the River and looking upstream.
Next, the tour visited the redeveloped Westpac House at 426 Victoria Street, where attendees admired the state-of-the-art 'end of trip' facilities, including a fully equipped gym for Westpac House tenants, Tompkins Wake.
The tour continued to 500 Victoria St, across from Centre Place, where Prime Property highlighted their substantial investment in modernising this iconic seven-story building, enhancing its prominent status and offering stunning views.
The final stop on the tour was the tallest tower in the central city, where attendees learned about the Pullman Hotel development,which is set to be completed next year and incorporating a variety of unique offering for guests.
This exciting project promises to significantly contribute to the revitalisation of Hamilton's central city area.
These substantial developments give even more reason to Love the Centre.
Vanessa Williams is the general manager of the Hamilton Central Business Association
The popular bakery has opened a new production kitchen next door to its original location, marking a major milestone in just four years of business.
The added space will help streamline operations and support the growing demand, allowing the team to focus on speciality products without the constraints of the main bakery.
Collect an activity sheet from our kaimahi at the front desk and then hop around the galleries to find the twelve 'Easter eggs' we've hidden in plain sight.
Once your whaanau has completed the scavenger hunt, there will be a tasty chocolate prize to take home and enjoy.
18th - 21st April
10am - 5pm
Grab free kids’ tickets to Astronomy Photographer of the Year for Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April 2025 exclusively. With more than 70 stunning images, you don’t want your family to miss out on this exhibition of the best photography in the universe.
Landing in Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time, Astronomy Photographer of the Year is the largest international competition of its kind, produced by Royal Museums Greenwich, London.
Gothenburg is set on a large patio overlooking the beautiful Waikato River that runs through the heart of Hamilton - the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon.
The café and restaurant showcases locally grown, organic produce and specialises in tapas that are a mix of New Zealand and international flavours.
Flex Fitness provide access to state-of-the-art equipment and expert advice, ensuring you have everything you need to achieve your fitness goals.
Why Choose Flex Fitness?
Staffed Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 7pm
Friday: 10am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 12pm
Join Flex Fitness Hamilton and take the first step towards a healthier, happier you!
Centuries ago, Genghis Khan’s warriors cooked their meals over fire on their shields as they journeyed to conquer the world.
Fast forward nearly a thousand years, and Hamiltonians are hooked on the sizzling flavours of Mongolian cuisine - minus the battle gear.
At Anytime Fitness Hamilton, their mission is to provide you with a total fitness experience designed to help you reach your goals. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t start and stop at the gym—it starts with a plan, which is why we offer solutions that incorporate fitness, nutrition and recovery to provide a 360 approach to your wellness journey. The first step begins with a coach, so contact us today to get started!
Their goal is to help you tackle anything that stands in theway of a healthier you, together. They know fitness journeys don’t follow astraight line, and our coaches are fluent in helping you get back on trackafter detours. They are ready to meet you where you’re at, build a customizedplan that works for you and keep you feeling motivated, strong and confident.
They’ve got everything you need to reach your goals fromcoaching to equipment—and everything in between. Enjoy a customized workoutplan, 24-7 access to the gym, squeaky clean surfaces and equipment, along with24-7 security to keep you safe while you make healthy happen.
See hours for staffed hours.
As an award-winning facility, they offer a variety of health and fitness options. More than just a gym, Fastlane Fitness is your gateway to prioritising wellbeing. Join our community of passionate wellness educators and take control of your health and fitness journey today.
Gym, Swim, or Combo
Our facility features some of New Zealand’s leading fitnessequipment brands, a 30-metre lunge track, a dedicated strength area,air-conditioning, and large windows for fresh air. Our motivating trainersensure a safe and welcoming environment.
They have three separate studios for group fitness, including boxing, stretch, HIIT, Yoga/Pilates, and crank. Need help overcoming roadblock? Book a personal training session with one of our expert trainers. They also host regular Fit Camps, challenges, WODs, and offer fantastic prizes.
Swimming - A Skill for Life!
At Fastlane, they are passionate about swimming and watersafety. Our swim school offers lessons for school-aged children and adults,running from Monday to Saturday with both group and private sessions available. They provide a fun and supportive learning environment to build confidence anddevelop lifelong water skills. Classes are organised by ability and age, withappropriate group sizes to maximise learning.
New school-aged swimmers must book a free assessment to beplaced in a suitable class. Sign up through our customer portal below.
Feedzone - CBD
At the Feedzone, you can enjoy healthy breakfasts, lunches,or salads to take away or eat in. They offer snacks, protein shakes, bars,smoothies, Mojo coffee, and more.
Feedzone is open weekdays from 6:30 am to 3 pm. Cold drinks,protein shakes, water, and bottled juices are available anytime. Pre-ordersalads for dinner pickup, or grab pre-packed options from reception after 3 pm.
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.
15th & 16th April 2025
9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost $30 per student. Limited spaces. Register now.
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
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.
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
1st July -Saturday, 5thJuly, 10:30 am & 1 pm (10:30 am only on Sat 5thJuly)
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
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.
Run time: 45 mins
A Hamilton-based festival for self-publishers of comics, poetry, collage, fan-art, photo essays and more.
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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