Happening in Hamilton

There’s always so much happening in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. With warmer weather and longer days upon us, now is the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy everything our city has to offer. Check out some of the exciting things happening in November.

Get your buckets ready for some free Tronpost

We’re giving away free Tronpost this Saturday 2 November, between 8am - 12pm, at the Hamilton Organic Centre in Frankton.

Tronpost is compost made locally from Hamilton’s kerbside food scraps and green waste. Using your kerbside food scraps bin reduces the waste sent to landfill, and means we get to reuse those food scrapes to make nutrient rich Tronpost.

Please BYO bucket and we’ll fill it with Tronpost for you. Up to 20L per person and 60L per vehicle for groups. No bags or cardboard boxes please as these are hard to manage.

Check out Hamilton City Council’s Facebook event to find out more.   

Waddle down to Exscite for the Penguin Party

Get your family together and waddle down to Exscite for the Penguin Party. 

The Waikato Museum's 30-million-year-old fossil of the Kaawhai giant penguin is now on display in the interactive centre for discovery, Exscite.  

Come along for an after-hours event on Friday 8 November, from 5.30pm – 7pm to celebrate the remarkable discovery of the Kaawhai giant penguin with family-friendly activities and a special talk by the Hamilton Junior Naturalist Club (Junats). 

Activities include: 

• after-hours access to Exscite 

• a talk by Junats about discovering the penguin in 2006 

• a penguin-waddle racetrack 

• penguin crafts 

• penguin bowling and other cool penguin-themed games. 

This event is aimed towards families with tamariki aged 5 – 12 years.

Get your tickets now via eventfinda.co.nz 

Architects, Artists and Artisans at the cemetery

Come along to Hamilton East Heritage Cemetery on Saturday 9 November to learn stories about some of the cemetery’s most interesting occupants including architects, artists, and artisans.

Take a tour with local historian, Lyn Williams. The walking tour offers a rare chance to delve into the stories of the city’s most influential figures, set against the backdrop of one of Hamilton’s most historic sites.

Meet at the main cemetery gates at 2pm wearing sturdy shoes and sunblock. 

Celebrate Día del Niño (Children's Day)  

Children's Day, or Día del Niño, in Latin America is a vibrant celebration of youth, hope, and community, recognising the preciousness and potential of every child.

Together with the Hamilton Colombian Community Trust and Waikato Hispano Latino Trust, Hamilton City Libraries will be celebrating Día del Niño at the Central Library on Saturday 2 November.

Kids can join in for bilingual story time (Spanish and English), games, face painting, traditional Latino American life music and dancing, paper crafts, prizes, and free food for kids. There will also be spot prizes for kids in costumes.

No registration is required and kids under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Break through the ‘brick walls’ of family history research 

Come along to the Central Library on Wednesday 6 November between 12pm-1pm to hear from Shelly North, Family History Reference Librarian, and learn some tips and tricks to navigate the ‘brick walls’ in family history research. To register for this free seminar head to hamiltonlibraries.co.nz 

Meet award winning STEM author Joan Marie Galat

Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 25 books, including a Canadian best seller, who encourages students to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a fun way through her books.

Joan will be at Te Kete Aronui, Rototuna Library on Friday 8 November from 2.15pm – 3pm for a ‘Dark Matters’ session aimed at teens and those who work with youth. From nesting turtles to migrating birds, light pollution affects more than just humans – discover how our need to light the world affects wildlife and people; and how fact-based books can encourage reluctant readers as well as avid students.

Spaces are limited so register yourself or your teen today via hamiltonlibraries.co.nz.  

Discover the haven of Hammond Park 

Hammond Park in Riverlea is a true restoration success story and holds one of Hamilton's most biodiverse riverside forests.

This riverside playground, set beside Waikato te Awa, has spectacular views down onto the forest canopy, and is home to some of our rarest native species such as swamp maire (swamp tree) and pekapeka-tou-roa (long-tailed bats). Around dusk you may be lucky enough to spot glowworms along one section of the path, while recent sightings of kaka in this area mean now is a great time to get out and explore Hammond Park.

Download the Nature in the City App to enjoy a self-guided tour through the area. 

Cool off at the outdoor Lido Pool 

Summer is on its way, with the outdoor Lido Pool at Waterworld scheduled to open on Saturday 16 November. This is an awesome spot to come and cool off in the warmer months or hangout with the whaanau in the great play area equipped with BBQs for a family-friendly day out.

Aqua Fit: where fun and fitness meet 

Aqua Fit classes are a multi-level cardio workout where you can work at your own level. These classes are designed for a full body workout with almost no impact, increasing the heart rate and toning the entire body.

Come along to Gallagher Aquatic Centre, where Aqua Fit classes are run on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6.30pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9am. 

Attendees must be 16 years old and over and entry fees apply. Check out all the classes available at the Hamilton Pools via hamiltonpools.co.nz 

Explore Potter Trust Playground 

Located on Callum Brae Drive, the Potter Trust destination playground is a perfect spot for a day out with the whaanau. The exciting play equipment includes tube slides, a basketball half-court, swings, flying fox and climbing nets, as well as picnic tables, disability friendly toilets, and shade.

While you’re there you can also make the most of the park’s off-lead dog exercise area and explore the nearby gully with pathways through native bush. Find out more here. 

Tainui Waka Primary Schools Kapa Haka Festival 2024 

Te Whare Haka o Tainui brings the Tainui Waka Primary Schools Kapa Haka Festival 2024 to GLOBOX Arena, Claudelands on Friday 8 November and Saturday 9 November. Check out fantastic performances that all the whaanau will love. Koha (donation) entry at the door.

Sprout some joy at the Plant Extravaganza 

Explore the stalls of plants, plant crafts, gifts, art, ceramics, garden decor and more at The Barn, Claudelands on Saturday 9 November from 9am – 3pm. There will be coffee, food trucks, and face painting for the kids while you browse the huge range of local creations on offer. Entry is $5 per person, kids 12 and under are free.

Crowded House - Gravity Stairs Tour   

Multi-platinum rock band Crowded House is bringing their Gravity Stairs Tour to GLOBOX Arena, Claudelands on Friday 22 November. Crowded House has sold more than 15 million records worldwide, including their classics like ‘Don’t dream it’s over’ and ‘Four seasons in one day’. The band has generated billions of streams, consistently sold-out tours on multiple continents, and captivated audiences worldwide.

Buy your tickets at hlive.co.nz/events/crowded-house-gravity-stairs-tour

Live, laugh, love: 7 Days Live

Get ready to laugh - 7 Days Live is coming to GLOBOX Arena on Thursday 28 November. See the show raw and uncut – not protected by censors, lawyers, or editors. The evening starts with a burst of quick-fire standup comedy from New Zealand’s best comedians, before moving into the 7 Days show you know and love – but bigger. Bring your friends, bring your partner, bring a work group, and bring your sense of humour.

Buy your tickets at hlive.co.nz/events/7-days-live 

Comedy Gold: Urzila Carlson Brings Just Jokes to New Zealand 

Urzila Carlson will be in Claudelands’ Heaphy Room for two shows on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, showcasing her brand new national tour – Just Jokes! Come for a show and leave with a sore face from laughing.  

Tickets are selling fast, get yours at hlive.co.nz/events/urzila-carlson-just-jokes