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Hema, founded by master barber Liam, is not just another place to get a haircut—it's a sanctuary where the time-honored tradition of barbering meets modern sophistication. With a decade of experience under his belt, Liam has honed his craft in various shops, learning the ins and outs of what makes a truly exceptional barbering experience.

Now, he's brought that wealth of knowledge to Riverbank Lane, filling a gap in the market for a high-end, dedicated, and professional barber service. Hema, which means "to bevel" or "taper" in Te Reo Māori, perfectly encapsulates the shop's philosophy. Here, it's all about precision cuts, attention to detail, and a commitment to quality that sets Hema apart.

Located in an iconic building on the banks of the Waikato River, in the heart of Hamilton’s south-end cultural precinct, Waikato Museum’s varied galleries feature dozens of new exhibitions and public events annually.

This go-to is where you’ll find Hamilton locals grabbing their early morning Allpress espresso, unwinding with a long lunch (yes, there’s wine on the menu) or dropping in for a weekend brunch outing. TLDR; you can’t go wrong at Scotts Epicurean.Having been in business for more than 20 years, it’s no surprise the team here has café culture nailed. Relaxing, humble vibes paired with damn good grub = the recipe for success. Tucked away in a heritage building on ​​Victoria Street, you’ll be greeted with vintage windows, pressed tin ceilings and comfy leather booths that are perfect for lounging in.

This little lane between Barton and Anglesea Streets is bursting with treasures, and with 17 locally-owned stores there’ll be something that catches your eye, no matter your interests. Bit of a bibliophile? Poppies Bookstore has got you covered. Is fashion your forte? Sills and Co are NZ fashion designers with luxurious wardrobe staples in store, while Zebrano sources fashion-forward plus-sized pieces. If indulging in jewellery is more your thing, Midas Diamond Jewellers offers a stunning collection of ready-made jewels, as well as the option to customise one of your own.

This underground retro lounge is a shady haven of music, hosting local and international artists with a large stage, homely atmosphere, groovy lights and a dance floor.Well regarded as ‘the place’ to listen to live music in Hamilton, Nivara Lounge serves craft beer, wines, and a range of snack food for you to chew on while you listen to the beats on offer (they also sell old vinyls).

People rave about the friendly service, warm vibes and fun atmosphere. Hosting a range of musicians, Nivara Lounge also attracts visitors from far and wide, establishing itself as the hub of live music in the Waikato and beyond.

Sharing a space with the South Bloc offices and neighbouring the Hamilton District Court, Anne Fern sees plenty of professionals through its doors throughout the day. Rocket coffee is available to drink onsite, or you can purchase filter or espresso beans to take away with you. Hanging pots of foliage add a hit of green to the glossy wood panelling, and from the coffee jugs to the ethos everything here is sleek and simple.

Staff look super dapper in white tees and dark green aprons, but mixed with the cheeky marketing and menu, this place is proof that a restaurant can be both suave and easy-going all at the same time. Operating from an impressive island bar, pull up a stool and watch the talented bartenders strut their stuff, or take your tipple out to the impressive patio and watch the sun set over the mighty Waikato River. Feeling hungry? Mr. Pickles opens at midday, so you can perch here for lunchtime eats onwards. Designed to share, the menu is not a fixed thing but instead revolves around what customers want to see, and the waitstaff will cheerfully remind you that what works for you, works for them.

Come evening time the music is loud, the tables are packed and the atmosphere is buzzing. Appealing to young and old, dates, groups and solo eaters, tables and brightly coloured stools are packed close together, transporting you straight to street side South East Asia.

A licensed restaurant, there’s beer, wine and a seductive sounding cocktail list, as well as house-made smoothies and sodas.

Street-side on the ground level of the Parkhaven Building, Frank has both apartment dwellers and office workers for neighbours, resulting in a beautiful mix of homely and corporate feels. Get comfy on the olive green velvet booth seats, sip on a cuppa whilst gazing out the window, or dine al fresco in the little courtyard which captures a slice of the morning sun. From the gold cutlery to the smart retro water glasses, speckled salt shakers and the pastel-coloured serving bowls, small things add up to create a real vibe here.

For hearty, authentic Chinese food, head straight to Dumpling House, a wholesome eatery serving up friendly vibes and even better dumplings. After operating for 12 years and opening two venues, this family-run establishment has truly made its mark on the Hamilton food scene.Owner Lei Wang comes from a long line of dumpling makers—her great grandfather even made dumplings for the Chinese Royal family!

And lucky for Hamilton locals, she and her mum found roots in New Zealand, bringing generations of secret techniques and flavours to their restaurants on Grey Street and Bryce Street. It’s hard not to feel at home when you step into Dumpling House. Lei Wang sums it up perfectly when she says “over the years, customers have become regulars and regulars have become friends.”

Walking in to big smiles and greetings, Erik and his team work like a well-oiled machine to bring you an authentic experience of fresh, fast and affordable Vietnamese food, right here in Hamilton. Plentiful windows look out to the busy street corner, making for prime people-watching on the side of feasting on comforting dishes that transport you to the streets of Vietnam. Authentic Vietnamese flavours can get lost in the Western world, but Erik has made it his mission to revive them. And with 15+ years of experience in the food industry, he’s just the man for the job.

Having spent many years doing the market, festival and event rounds with their OG food truck, On A Roll have clocked up a devout following of local foodies from all around Hamilton. So, we weren’t the only ones who were pretty wrapped when the doors to their permanent Vialou Street spot opened in 2021. The eatery itself is the embodiment of good vibes. You’ll notice industrial cement blocks contrasted with bold feature walls and a larger-than-life tiger mural. Accented with warm wood tones, leather seating and bohemian lighting, they’ve simply nailed the aesthetic. Known for their flavour-packed take on Asian-fusion bites, On A Roll is a serious crowd-pleaser when it comes to dining out with the crew. Our advice? Sharing is caring, so order one of everything because we guarantee you’ll want to taste it allllll.

With its signature red interior and exterior, murals, and neon lights, it’s a vibrant space, topped off by the background of friendly chatter, clinking cutlery, and attentive staff moving from table to table. With different levels of spice, vegetarian and gluten-free options (as well as the cheeky option of taking home some of their incredible frozen dumplings for a lazy weekday meal), even people with dietary requirements can enjoy the glorious Chilli House cuisine.

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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