Further water restrictions could be introduced in Hamilton in the coming days if residents don’t take steps to reduce water consumption now. Hamilton reached alert level 2 on 8 January due to increasing water consumption levels, prolonged periods of fine weather and an influx of residents returning to the city from summer holiday destinations. The change of alert level brought with it new restric... more...

An exhibition featuring 1,111 origami dolphins that were hand-folded by members of the Raglan community opens at Waikato Museum this Friday [29 January]. The exhibition, ‘Curtain of 1,111 Origami Maui’s Dolphins’ aims to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered Maui dolphin. A symbolic piece of work, the origami dolphins were created by well-known American skater/surfer and conservationist... more...

The city will commemorate Waitangi Day in Garden Place with a free concert by Australian Idol winner Stan Walker. In a major coup for the city, Stan Walker has agreed to perform his first free New Zealand concert in Hamilton – where he attended high school before moving to Australia. It will be an all day alcohol-free event in Garden Place, which this summer has attracted large numbers of peop... more...

Shang-Poh Yu beside his finished mural 'Moonlit Nights' on the corner of Grey and Bridge Streets   Members of the Underwater Collective admire their Adopt-a-Box on the corner of Grey and Clyde Streets   Classic Hits DJ Mark Bunting admires his Adopt-a-Box 'handy' work   Local artist Shang-Poh Yu took out the People's Choice award at Saturday's launch of Adopt... more...

An exhibition that explores traditional Maori facial tattooing opens at Waikato Museum this Saturday [30 January]. ‘Face Value’ is an insightful exhibition which looks at what the traditional facial moko means to six individuals who have undergone the experience. Artist Serena Giovanna Stevenson began working on the project in 2000 and has used film and documentary to record the relationship betw... more...

Water supplies are returning to normal after a lightning strike damaged the city’s water treatment plant early today. The electrical storm over Hamilton happened about midnight damaging computers and alarm systems at the Peacockes Rd plant. The plant provides all of the city’s fresh water supply. Many residents phoned council to report they were experiencing low pressure, and in extreme cases... more...

A lightening strike at the city’s water treatment plant has affected water supply in parts of the city. The lightening strike happened about midnight damaging computers and alarm systems at the Peacockes Rd plant. The plant provides all of the city’s fresh water supply. This has effected water to the city and some residents are experiencing low pressure, and in extreme cases, a total loss of... more...

Entries are now open for the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award 2010 – an award that challenges artists to use their creativity and ingenuity to transform the difficult medium of no.8 wire into works of art. This unique annual award is organised by Waikato Museum and ArtsPost Galleries and Shop, and sponsored by New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. Artists have until 19 April to submit ... more...

The city's dull traffic signal boxes are set to get a colourful makeover, with the launch of a new community art initiative – Adopt-a-Box on 23 January. Adopt-a-Box lets Hamiltonians make their mark on Hamilton by painting original artwork on traffic signal boxes at every intersection in the city. Hamilton City Council graffiti co-ordinator Casey Molloy expects the project to be a hit with every... more...

Kids – make some pocket money at the city’s first Toy Trade Fair in Garden Place next Sunday (24 January). The fair is for children to sell or trade toys no longer in use – anything from dolls and books, to video games and trading cards. The fair is part of the “Summer in Garden Place” line up of activities in the city centre this summer. The idea was raised by Councillor Peter Bos, who chance... more...

As of today tickets for some of the biggest events in Hamilton can be purchased from Hamilton i-SITE in Garden Place. The i-SITE is one of several new outlets to offer Ticketek sales after an agreement between Hamilton City Council and Ticketek NZ Ltd. The deal sees Ticketek provide a full service ticketing system to Council’s Event Facilities Unit, which includes all Council sport and entertainm... more...

Hamilton residents are now permitted to use their sprinkler systems between 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm on alternate days only, after the city reached water alert level 2 today. The change in water alert levels comes after increasing water consumption over the past weeks and prolonged periods of fine weather. Hamilton City Council city waters manager Tim Harty said that with warm weather predicted ahead... more...

Hamilton Zoo's sibling Sumatran tigers, Jaka and Mencari, will be celebrating their 10th birthday this Sunday [10 January] with a special 'jungle party'. Held between 12pm-2.30pm, the party will include 'meet the keeper' tiger talks, a performance by musician/entertainer Simon McReesh and a singalong session featuring a song written especially for Mencari and Jaka. There will also be Face2Face e... more...