What's happening this August and September

There’s always so much happening in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Here’s some whaanau friendly activities that might interest you during late August and throughout September.

 

Bring on the new bridge

 

Meet us in Peacocke! Bring your friends and whaanau on Saturday 31 August from 10am – 2pm to see the new bridge to Peacocke before it opens to cars. Meet the teams and contractors who worked on the bridge and learn about the bridge building journey. There'll be entertainment, food trucks, face painting and more. Walk, bike, scoot or skate your way along Te Awa River Ride to the new bridge by Hamilton Gardens. Check out Hamilton City Council’s Facebook event to find out more. 

 

Make a difference this Conservation Week 

Conservation Week is being held from 2 September - 8 September 2024, with the theme ‘Take action for nature’. 

Keen to have a tour around Council's Nursery? We have limited spaces available for nursery tours during Conservation Week – please register your interest here.  

You can also get some ideas from the Department of Conservation, including planting a tree, picking up rubbish, and enjoying a conservation activity with children. Check out their website here. 

 

Let’s get thrifty 

Thrifty Threads is back for 2024. We've partnered with Go Eco and Hospice Waikato to reduce the clothing sent to landfills with a pop-up op-shop experience at The Meteor Theatre on Victoria Street, Hamilton. 

Simply pay the entry fee at the door (cash or Eftpos), bring your reusable shopping bags and find some pre-loved gems. $20 per person or $10 with a valid student ID. Shop till you drop with a maximum of five bags (please ensure they're roughly equivalent to the size of a reusable shopping bag).

Shopping will begin on 5 September from 4pm-8pm, 6 September from 10am-4pm, and 7 September from 10am-2pm. 

 

Storytime Puaawai with our friends from Hamilton Libraries

Storytime Puaawai is a fun-filled programme tailored specifically for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. You can bond with your child through stories, songs and movements aimed at enhancing their social, cognitive, motor, and musical skills.  

Storytime Puaawai takes place during term time only between 10.30am - 11.15am, weekdays. Join the fun every Monday at Glenview Library, Tuesday at Central Library, Wednesday at Hillcrest Library, Friday at Chartwell Library and Saturday at Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library.  

 

Mahuru Maaori – language lessons for beginners at Hamilton Libraries

Celebrate Maaori Language Month by learning te reo at Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library and Central Library. All ages are welcome, and the classes are suitable for beginners with no registration required. Learn some basics so you can use easy everyday reo everywhere you go. 

Classes are being held at Te Kete Aronui on 5 September and 19 September between 5pm - 6pm, and Hamilton Central Library on 12 September and 26 September between 5pm - 6pm.  

There are also a range of other free activities taking place across our libraries in celebration of Maaori Language Month – find out more here. 

 

Breakfast, hot coffee and live music

Support local, buy direct and remember to bring your reusable shopping bags and whaanau for a great morning out. The Hamilton Farmers' Market welcomes everyone each Sunday 8am - 12pm at The Barn, Claudelands.  

From fresh local fruit and vegetables, breads and pastries, chocolates, home baking and coffee, to butchery goods, fish and seafood, handcrafted cheeses, locally harvested honey, plants, flowers and all manner of condiments – there is something for everyone. 

 

Experience Waiwhakareke 

Step out and explore the largest biodiverse area in Hamilton. The 65.5ha Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park was once farmland before restoration began to return it to a native paradise and create a world-class ecological island in an urban environment. Centered around a peat lake (Waiwhakareke or Horseshoe Lake), the park offers a network of pathways which weave their way past wetlands, artworks and hundreds of thousands of eco-sourced native plants.

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

 

Hang out at the Hamilton Gardens playground 

Kids will love the entertainment-themed playground within the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. There's something for all ages with a stage, treehouse, earthworm slide, and swinging and rocking equipment.   

And just a reminder, from September 18, Hamilton Gardens will introduce paid entry to the Enclosed Gardens for those living outside Hamilton. All other areas (including the playground) will remain free for everyone. 

If you live or pay rates in Hamilton, you can still explore the Enclosed Gardens for free by signing up for a MyGardens Pass at hamiltongardens.co.nz/mygardenspass.

To verify your pass, have your proof of address and photo ID ready when you next visit.   

 

Sisterly Sundays at Waterworld

Sunday evenings are for the girls. Between 6pm - 8pm each Sunday, women and girls aged 16 years and older are invited to the hydrotherapy pool at Waterworld for the Sisterly Sunday sessions.

With increased privacy and female staff, these sessions are perfect for women and girls who are currently not able to access a pool. Normal entry fees apply.  

 

Manaaki - Welcoming Community Event

Nau mai raa – we're glad you’re here! Welcoming Week 2024 kicks off from 6 September - 15 September 2024. There are 15 events in total across the week, including dance and music performances, kapa haka, cultural and community displays and food stalls, Tangata Tiriti Training, an Asian Health Expo, and a tour of the city.

You can also join us at our Welcoming Manaaki Village on 14 September at Claudelands Exhibition Hall B where there will be cultural dance, music and displays, with plenty of food stalls on site. For more info and to register for free, click here. 

 

The Wiggles - Wiggle Groove Tour

Get ready to sing, dance and groove with The Wiggles’ Wiggle Groove Tour, which is coming to GLOBOX Arena, Claudelands for two performances on Sunday 29 September. Tickets are selling like hot potatoes – purchase yours here.