Menu
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.
Hamilton Boys High School Marae
Wharenui & Wharekai
NZIA Waikato BOP Architecture Award 2025 - Education
PAUA Architects were engaged by the HBHS Board of Trustees to design a school marae.
The brief was to provide a new marae complex that the school can be proud of, with integrated learning spaces within the whare. Consultation with the Kiingitanga was instigated by the kura.
The site area is restricted, in the shadow of the 11m high gymnasium building at the west side, and surrounded by the existing rugby fields to the east and south of the site. This leaves little available natural grass atea space to the north.
Working with the traditional form of a marae, and a limited material selection to conform with the school guidelines, we attempted to provide a modern interpretation that pushes the envelope slightly to allow for the accomodation of class room and storage facilities.
The koorero of Taane ascending to the heavens to search for knowledge was the starting point for the design and shape of the wharenui, which has a roofline rising to the north, representing the striving and pushing higher, representative of the school and students’ desire to succeed.
The three pop-outs at each side of the building represent the three baskets of knowledge, and feature a brick pattern articulating the concepts of the three baskets.
Whare Ako Completed 2024
Warm up your winter with our mouthwatering menu for group dining!Get a group of friends together or perhaps the gang from work and enjoy a welcome drink on arrival followed by a sumptuous spread.
Welcome beverage on arrival
(House wine, beer or tap, non-alcoholic drink)
Sharing Boards
Bread rolls
Baked brie and honey
Walnut and rosemary crackers
Seared tuna, marinated cucumber with gingerand wasabi dressing
Roasted root vegetables
Steamed broccoli with garlic butter andtoasted almonds
Garden salad
Sous vide lamb with mint jus
Apricot and bourbon glazed champagne ham
Passionfruit and kiwifruit pavlova
Steamed fruit pudding with custard
$75 per adult
$39 per child (5 - 16 years)
Under 5 Free
(Minimum 10 people)
RSVP
07 9578009
Warm up your winter with our mouthwatering menu for group dining!Get a group of friends together or perhaps the gang from work and enjoy a welcome drink on arrival followed by a sumptuous spread.
Welcome Beverage
House wine, beer or tap, non-alcoholic drink
Starters
Seasonal vegetable soup
Assorted bread selection
Meat platter
Seafood
Steamed tiger prawns
Half shell mussels
Cool Salad Selections
Seseme slaw with crispy noodles
Pumpkin, chorizo, walnut and feta
Broccoli, sundried tomato and orzo pasta
Carvery
Maple glazed champagne ham
Hot Selections
Salmon, Steak, Chicken, Gnocchi
Steamed & roasted vegetables
Sweets
Fruit Crumble, Pavlova,
Ice Cream, Fresh Fruit Salad
$89 per adult
$42 per child (5-12 years)
Minimum 25 People
Bookings are essential
07 9578009
.png)
Don't organise another boring work event! Book in for a Team Builder at Bowl & Social and really wow everyone (and maybe even get a pay rise!)
The Team Builder Package includes;
All this for only $48 per person!
(minimum eight people)
.png)
Kumar Kitchen have extended their Te Rapa offering by opening an additional restaurant in Victoria Street.
The Vegetarian menu is extensive and includes:
Chaat - Burgers - Momo - Soup - South Indian Dishes - Indo Chinese Dishes - Desserts
Along Hamilton’s riverside, where craft cocktails meet bold, modern cuisine, there’s one dish that’s quietly taken on cult status.
At Mr Pickles, the vibe is all urban polish with a side of playfulness - but the star of the show is pure comfort: a plate of golden fried chicken, slathered in sticky chilli garlic caramel, kissed with Szechuan heat and topped with Kewpie mayo.
In a venue designed with Melbourne inspiration and a killer river view, this dish stands out not for flash or fine-dining finesse, but for its unpretentious joy.
It’s the reason people keep coming back. Some even drive down from Auckland for a hit of the ‘sticky chicken’, says bar manager Javiel Duncan.
With two restaurants already in Auckland Nan Hot Pot have now expand into Hamilton offering a fun and interactive dining experience!
Nan Hotpot, a proud ambassador of traditional Chinese hotpot culture, bringing the rich, bold flavors of China to your table. Specialising in premium broths and a truly immersive dining experience
How hot pot works:
Choose Your Broth: Start by selecting your preferred broth.
Select Ingredients: Pick a variety of ingredients to cook in the broth.
Cook: Once the broth is boiling, place your ingredients in the pot to start cooking.
Ducky Chinese Restaurant have completed their beautiful new fit out and are now open! (Located next to Nan Hotpot)
Ducky specialise in duck dishes and whole lot more!
Some of the dishes on the menu include:
Visit the friendly team and enjoy a great evening out!
Saigon ’60s was name after Ho Chi Minh city (a.k.a Saigon) back in the 1960s.
Saigon in the ’60s was the capital of American colonisation, vivid and culturally well-blended with international flavours. Taking the inspiration from that retro vibe, they have named their restaurant “Saigon ’60s” with the vision to cook not only the most authentic Vietnamese foods for Kiwis, but to also unique fusion dishes that can satisfy any conservative guest, who is taking baby steps into this dynamic cuisine. From a starting point in Rotorua in 2018, and now having their newest restaurant in the heart of Hamilton CBD. Saigon ’60s is an eatery destination which should not be missed by locals and tourists.
Some of their top selling dishes include Roast Duck Pho, Spicy Lemongrass Noodle Soup, Noodle Salad Grilled Pork and of course their Banh Mi!
Whether you're a seasoned pho lover or new to Vietnamese cuisine, Saigon '60s offers something for everyone:
.jpg)
100% Vegetarian Restaurant!
Status Restaurant showcases the finest in Vegetarian, Vegan and Jain cuisine, complimented by an exceptional dining experience built on careful attention to every aspect of service, food, atmosphere and beverages selection.
Their goal is to create food that restores, replenishes and revives.
Status Restaurant is a place to be nourished by simply prepared Vegan, Vegetarian and Jain food that comes from recipes their families have been preparing for generations in India.
Indian Chimney opened in May offering authentic Indian cuisine and spices.
Warm, inviting interiors with a touch of Indian decor suitable for both casual dining and special occasions.
Menu dishes include:
Check out their menu for more options!
Book a table or order a home delivery or takeaway today!
Join the club and have access to all 'SEW'cial Club events offered throughout the year.
Check out the upcoming dates and book a single 'Sew'cial Club event.
Got a project you’ve been meaning to finish? This is the perfect chance to finally tackle those forgotten makes with a little motivation and support from fellow sewists.
.png)
In 2024 design students from Aotearoa, Ecuador, Indonesia, Singapore, and the UK asked their elders: “If you could give one piece of advice to the people in your city, in 20 words or less, what would it be?" Their responses became over 120 powerful posters — with a curated selection now on show in the Hamilton CBD (Corner of Alexandra Street and Garden Place (by the Game Centre).
Check out the exhibition, vote for the poster that speaks to you the most, and you could win a framed copy!
The Vote & Win competition will run until 20thJune.
Delicious Culinary
Live Music
Pop Up Stores
Feat: Imachef, Toro Churro, Panda Golden Ear Dumpling, Mizzoni Pizza, Meezie Kitchen, Patrons Blazing BBQ PLUS MANY MORE!!
Bar will be open with drinks flowing. Also boutique market stalls and live music.
in Casabella Lane on Saturday 11 October from 10 till 4pm
Spend $20 or more and get a lucky dip prize - there are books, totes, pens and more up for grabs.
Buy any two Penguin books and get your free 2025 Personal Penguin
Write a love letter to your bookshop to enter the draw for$250 in book tokens - 8 prizes to be won around NZ.
Keep an eye out for the Libro.fm Golden Ticket to win a year's audiobook subscription.
And pick up a copy of the brand new Summer Reading Guide. It's never too soon to start your Christmas wishlist!
Australian Irish dancing touring company PACE LIVE is bringing all the craic of an Irish Christmas to New Zealand with their high-octane show, A Celtic Christmas! The cast features Auckland champion Irish dancer Keely O’Grady, who was the 2024 New Zealand & International Rose of Tralee; and Christchurch champion Irish dancer Mitchell O’Hara. These New Zealand locals will perform alongside world-class musicians and exceptional Irish dancers to bring New Zealand audiences the very best in the industry, including world champion dancers from international hit shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. The family show brings the heart-warming spirit of an Irish Christmas into a feel-good extravaganza filled with laughter, Christmas cheer, and the pure joy of the festive season for the whole family to enjoy. The show has recently enjoyed a hit on off-Broadway in 2024, and will tour across the North and South Island of New Zealand throughout November and December 2025.
Audiences can immerse themselves in the magnificence of Christmas in Ireland as they are transported to a land where energetic music and dance embody the beating heart of good craic! This feel-good show aims to give audiences a bit of Irish charm and features a company featuring over 15 of the world’s leading Irish performers and musicians. Featuring a powerful mix of traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads and all your favourite carols, A Celtic Christmas combines incredible music with jaw-dropping dance talent in an unforgettable night of storytelling and Irish charm.
Two Shows:
17th November, 2025 (Mon) 7:30pm
17th November, 2025 (Mon) 3:30pm
Fire up the hot glue gun, mix up your paint pots, and sharpen your scissors! Whether you’re having yourself a Mini Little Christmas, or your tree puts the T in OTT, we want you to show us what the season means to you!
Tree registrations will close at 5pm on Saturday 15th November or until we reach our max number - so please get in quick!
The Trees at The Meteor exhibition will run from 10th-19th December 2025.
More info coming soon.
.png)
Mark you calendar - Hamilton Central is the place to be this October!
Tickets from $20
Step into Exscite after dark for a Halloween adventure like no other. Hear ghost stories around the campfire, follow the trick-or-treat trail, and enjoy free face painting for all ages.
Activity for the whole family!
We'll have activity stations for the whole family, including code-cracking and treat-bag making.
Follow the trick-or-treat trail and collect stamps to unlock a bag full of treats to take home.
Get into the Halloween spirit with free face painting from our friends at Enchanted Entertainment.
Gather around the campfire in Exscite to hear local ghost stories that will send a shiver down your spine.
Make your own treat bag at our creepy craft station.
Look out for a special guest roaming Exscite for photos.
Come along in costume whether you're a kid or a grown up!
Jeremy Mayall will bring the music, you bring the craft. Bring a project from home to work on or enjoy a drink and soak in the vibes of our latest exhibitions.
29 October onwards
We're very excited to extend our hours for these monthly Open Late sessions.
Instead of closing at 5pm, Te Whare Taonga will be open until 9pm so that you can enjoy the exhibitions after-hours.
With drinks and nibbles available to purchase from our bar, you can get in the groove with a DJ or live music. Each month we'll have a new floor talk or panel discussion to get ideas sparking as you check out the galleries.
For our October session, we'll enjoy a performance by Dr. Jeremy Mayall, composer/performer/innovator and CEO of Creative Waikato. While he performs, you are encouraged to sketch or write or craft to relax. Bring a project to work on from home or enjoy a drink and explore our latest exhibitions.
Held on the second Friday of every month (excluding December).
Take a creative lunch break to explore art through poetry.
These free drop-in poetry sessions are the perfect way for beginners and poetry lovers alike to explore their creativity.
With a focus on ekphrasis (poetry written in response to art), this is a fun and creative experience that is about expression, not perfection.
Be inspired by our exhibitions and explore new ways to look at art and language.
What to expect
Educator and poet Cassandra Barnett will introduce easy poetry techniques and prompts, help you see and connect with works of art, and encourage you to find your own creative voice.
Wander the galleries with pencil and paper, and support on hand, and poem what you see.
Poetry prompts
If you can’t join the lunchtime session, drop in at any time on the day of Poetry in the Galleries and pick up a poetry prompt. Let the galleries guide your words and enjoy writing at your own pace.
On a mission to create your dream home, renovate to sell, or ramp up the value of investment? Don’t miss the annual Waikato Home & Garden Show, where you’ll find everything you need to renovate, build, decorate and landscape your home under one roof.
As well as some great show-only deals, hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand to present exciting new products, stylish trends, innovative ideas and top quality service to help make your project a reality.
That’s not all – you’ll find something for the whole family including live cooking demos, seminars, demonstrations, food and drink, a kids zone and so much more!
10am - 5pm (4pm finish on last day of the show)
Come and celebrate the music of the Red Hot Chili Peppers with By The Way, NZs latest and greatest tribute band.
Be prepared to be transported to another galaxy, as the band perform the Chili Peppers greatest hits, with all songs you know and love - By The Way, Otherside, Californication, Under The Bridge…
Playing in Hamilton for one night only at the fabulous Nivara Lounge, doors open from 7pm with the band onstage at 8.30pm.
7pm Doors Open - 8pm Start
Earlybird Tickets $20
GA Tickets $30
TWO comedians, ONE night, ONE great price.
The most Haunted Comedian in all of New Zealand (Callum Wagstaff) and indie darling George Fenn (as Sexy Ghost Boy) are here to Split your Sides this Spooky Season, using comedy to defang all of your worst fears.
The show is strictly R18. It contains sexual themes and nudity up to underwear.
Doors open from 7pm, show at 8:30pm. There will be an intermission.
Tickets $30 waged / $20 unwaged / $35 on the door.*LIMITED* Early Bird 241 Tickets $15 each.
GEORGE FENN (he/she/they) George is a genre bending comedy theatre maker based in Ōtautahi specialising in audience interaction, described by witnesses as a hot mess mash up of Mr Bean and Marina Abramović.
Winner Organised Chaos Award (Auckland Fringe 2024) Bizarre and Charming Award (Hastings Fringe 2024) Spirit of the Fringe (2017 and 2020.) Nominated Outstanding Performer (Dunedin Fringe 2025)
“a theatrical alchemist, Fenn has the rare talent to create something utterly ridiculous yet very clever..." - Rosheen Fitzgerald, Theatreview
12th October
9th November
14th December
$10 Entry
Join Hamilton Operatic Society at Nivara Lounge to get your musical theatre fix and support local performers!
The 'Downtown Musicals' nights aim to provide a platform for up-and-coming theatre performers to get experience performing in front of audiences, as well as those wishing to try something new or who maybe haven't performed in some time.
Each night performers will pick their songs based on a theme. The theme for October is Cinematic Showstoppers.
Doors open at 7 pm with performances starting at 7.30 pm.
Note: These Nivara Lounge nights are now 18+ for performers and R16 for audience members accompanied by a parent or guardian. For performers under 18, please look out for our Downtown Musical Jr afternoon sessions.
For any queries or to use membership tickets, email Pip at admin@hamiltonoperatic.co.nz
©HamiltonCentralBusinessAssociation
