Arts, Culture & Heritage
Hamilton and the region offer a diverse calendar of cultural experiences - contemporary music, a lively gallery scene, a feast of performing arts, a growing collection of public art - it's all on offer in the city and spread throughout the region.
Click on the listings below to find out more about what's available.
Expe
rience the arts in Hamilton
Hamilton has a growing collection of public art, numerous art galleries, as well as an eclectic range of talented local artists.
The city has a wide range of theatres which cater for large shows to the more intimate, as well as being home to large cinema complexes and smaller independent art house cinemas. Film and theatre festivals run at different times in the year.
Waikato Museum
Situated in Hamilton, overlooking the beautiful Waikato River, the museum has 8 galleries that show touring exhibitions, as well as exhibitions featuring items from its own collection. These include the majestic 200 year old carved waka taua - Te Winika, artwork by prominent NZ and regional artists and an interactive science experience. A regular programme of activities is available, as well as the popular Museum cafe and the Museum Shop at ArtsPost.
ArtsPost is Hamilton's community art centre, situated next door to the main museum complex. It provides three galleries of regularly changing exhibitions featuring outstanding work by local artists. This artwork is available for sale through the Museum Shop located on the premises.
Museum Shop
Phone: 07 838 6606
Address: 1 Grantham St (sth end of Victoria Street), Hamilton
Putaruru Timber Museum
Woodl
ands Homestead & Gardens
The beginnings of the NZ dairy industry also stems from Woodlands - home of the Anchor brand.
Heritage Cruises n Heritage Trail Horse Treks
Travel off the beaten track, to the eco-wonderlands of Kawhia, Aotea and Mokau, and experience true kiwi hospitality. Cruise magnificient harbours and rivers on vintage vessels and learn about this fascinating region.
While back on land, an excellent range of activities await, ranging from adventurous horsetrekking, black water rafting, 4wheel motor biking, cultural shows, natural hotpools, hiking for all tastes and levels of fitness, seakayaking, and more.
Toll Free: 0800 KAWHIA
Phone: 07 871 0324
Address: 29 Jervois Street, Kawhia
Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre
Glowworm multi-media show, moa, giant ammonite and other fossils, world-class displays and cave crawl.
Phone toll free: 0800 474 839
Phone: 07 878 7640
Address: 21 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo
Waitakaruru Sculpture Park and Arboretum
A 42-acre Garden of Regional Significance set in a former quarry. Open daily from 10am until sunset displaying three annual sculpture exhibitions ensuring a year-round display of 60 - 90 sculptures along its 2 km trail.
Location: Equadistant from Hamilton, Morrinsville and Cambridge, approx 15 km from each. Signposted from S.H. 1B (from Taupiri to Cambridge) and S.H. 26 (Hamilton to Morrinsville Road)
Address: 207 Scotsman Valley Road, Tauwhare, RD4 Hamilton
Phone: 07 824 0733
SOUL Gallery
Soul is one of Hamilton's best kept secrets. Located inthe centre of the CBD, not far from Casabella Lane, it boasts an eclectic mix of New Zealand Wall art, ceramics and funky jewellery. The gallery space can be enjoyed anytime for viewing as well as utlised ofr exhibitions. Soul doubles as a retail explosion for shoppers offering colourful hand made leather bags and famous Raglan leather shoes. Open 7 days.
Address: 300 Barton Street, Hamilton
Phone:07 834 2120
Our Patch Lavender
Our Patch Lavender is more than a Bed and Breakfast. The 12 acre block grows and distills oil from 
various lavender varieties including Grosso, Super and Pacific Blue. There is a range of handmade products that are all based on on the plants and oils.Open Thursday to Sunday to accommodate you overnight or a day visit.
6 Goile Road
RD 10
Hamilton
07 829 3161
Te Awamutu Museum
Phone: 07 871 4326
Address: 135 Roche Street, Te Awamutu
Tauwhare Military Museum
Phone: 07 824 0867
Address: 1149 Victoria Street, Tauwhare
Rangiriri Battlesite Heritage Centre
Phone: 07 826 3663
Address: Off SH1, Rangiriri
Early New Zealand Museum
Phone: 07 883 1442
Address: Rotorua Road (SH5), Tirau
Morrin Museum
Phone: 021 677 455
Address: 53A Lorne Street, Morrinsville
Waikato Coalfields Museum
Phone: 07 828 8128
Address: 26 Harlock Place, Huntly
Raglan & District Museum
Phone: 07 822 7195
Address: 22 Kaitoke Street, Raglan
Raglan Old School Arts Centre
Phone: 07 825 0023
Address: 5 Stewart Street, Raglan
Firth Tower Historical Museum
Phone: 07 888 8369
Address: Tower Road, Matamata
Otorohanga Museum
Phone: 07 873 8849
Address: Kakamutu Road, Otorohanga
Kawhia Regional Museum
Phone: 07 871 0161
Address: Omimitit Street, Kawhia
Cambridge Museum
Phone: 07 823 3456
Address: Victoria Street, Cambridge - further info contact Information Centre
Pirongia Historical Visitor Centre
Address: Franklin Street, Pirongia
Te Aroha & Districts Museum
Phone: 07 884 4427
Address: 102 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha
Inspirit Studio & Gallery
Spacious contemporary Studio & gallery located in a stunning rural setting exhibiting a diverse range of original New Zealand art and design.
Address: 360 Pencarrow Road, RD3 Tamahere, Hamilton
Phone: 07 856 3170
Website: Inspirit Studio & Gallery
Gibbs Lang Contemporary Art Gallery and Studio
Visit the gallery to see the work of Colin Gibbs-painter and printmaker. At the same time drop by the studio to view work-in-progress. Colin's works are known for their intensity of colour. His work is held inmany collections in New Zealand and offshore.
Address: 555 Matangi Road, RD 4 Hamilton.
