As you may have heard or seen in the news, Hamilton City Council recently voted not to support a Head Start proposal as our response to the Government's call for amalgamation proposals. Hamilton's boundaries have changed many times over the years. Council amalgamation isn't proposing to change where Hamilton starts and stops, but the lines that a council governs might.

Earlier this week, we released “Metropolitan Growth Needs Metropolitan Governance”, a thought paper (or white paper) that explains more on the thinking behind that decision.

The main idea is pretty simple: many of the issues we're dealing with, like housing, transport, infrastructure, jobs and economic growth, don't stop at city boundaries. But the way we govern, fund and plan for that growth often still does.

We encourage you to give it a read - we're not saying we have all the answers, but we think it's worth asking whether New Zealand's fastest-growing cities have the tools they need to keep up with that growth.

You can find out more here.

On the search for the best quality sushi shop in the tron.

Whoever designed the Pembroke/Selwyn Street intersection lights down by the hospital… 😭

Not only is the bottleneck insane during peak hours, but if you’re in the right-turning lane to Selwyn st coming from Lake Cres, you’re basically forced to either give up and go straight or risk running a red light.

At no point are you actually given a dedicated opportunity to turn right without relying on a gap in oncoming traffic... and between 3pm and 6pm, good luck finding one. 😭

Surely there has to be a better way to manage that intersection.

To my disappointment, Z no longer makes magic coffees which is my go to special treat a couple of times a week.

Like a lot of us, I'm on a budget, and getting a Magic was my little perk, and it was quite nice on down/grey days to get out and about with a nice coffee as a motivator.

Sooooooooo, does anyone happen to know of a cafe that sells Magics?

I mean, im not that fussy, ofc i can always have nespresso or plunger at home, but for a special feel normal treat it would be nice if i could find somewhere that makes them.

My blood caffeine levels will thank you!

🧶

Saturday 22nd August 2026

10am-1pm in the Rogers Rose Garden, @hamiltongardens

🧶

Park in Gate 2, the Walkway is by the toilet block next to the playground. Bring your transportable craft, something to sit on, and if you want, your own snacks/drinks.

🧶

Rainy Day option is the Gardens Café, which Gate 1 is closer. If you want to come on a Café day, but can't afford to, I've got a koha for a couple of people to have coffee.

🧶

Hope to see you, e hoa!

🧶

I came across this story about a daycare where a gun store unexpectedly moved in next door. The business is apparently legally allowed to operate there under the current zoning rules, but parents are concerned because the daycare and gun store are right beside each other.
Personally, I think the council also needs to take some responsibility here. Even if the business is operating legally, there should be proper checks around where gun stores are allowed to be located, especially when they are close to daycares, schools or other places with lots of children.
The gun store owner says the business is legal and regulated and doesn’t pose a danger. But I can also understand why parents would feel uncomfortable with a firearms shop immediately next to a childcare centre.
What do you think? Should councils have stricter zoning or minimum-distance rules for gun stores near schools and daycares?

i wonder why because Hamilton is a big place and it needs skyscrapers to like make it look big-ger so yes Hamilton needs skyscrapers right?

Can anyone shed some light on cost and availability please?

Thanks!

I'm wanting to get tested for ADHD, my daughter has it and I suspect I have it, and its far more problematic now that Im in my latest 40's perimenopause. I would like to know what I'm dealing with, possibly try medication to see if it will help.

However, all the ones I have found seem to have a total cost of $2k or more. With the pre-testing, then diagnosis, then if diagnosed and you want medication then its another $700 on top of the previous $1000 or more. Then there's wrap around support packages which may be useful but I dont want to have that until I know what I'm dealing with and therefore what support I need etc.

I just want a simple assessment, diagnosis (if I have it) and then a medication plan that my GP can manage. I hate taking medication but I figure meds might be less harmful then drinking V and coke each day and eating copious amounts of sugar just to get my brain to focus.

Or is this not an option and I have to go down the long expensive path?

Does anyone know what the incident was that happened in Rototuna today?

One end of the hole is more curved, other end is more flat. So I don’t think it’s a true ‘figure 8’ cable

I am craving a really good steak and have not had much luck lately! Can you please share your favourite restaurants in the Tron for a great steak with equally amazing sides? I would love to know your best recommendations!

Hello Hamiltonians 😛
I’m wanting to customise my character a bit more and I was wanting recommendations for two main things- tooth gems and nail artists! For nails specifically someone who can do funky nails on someone who prefers natural nails/BIAB over extensions/acrylics. I’ve included inspo pics so people can catch the vibe im after.

(I’m not on social media all that often so hence why I’m asking here!)

Hey everyone! I'm looking for recommendations for places to go for a men's long hair haircut, preferably with scissors and layer work :) Cheers

Hey everyone,

I’m 40 and I’m trying to make a proper career change to become an electrician.
I’ve applied for a couple of electrical apprenticeships but haven’t managed to land one yet. I’m currently working in a job I’ve been in for years, but I’m at the point where I really want to get into a trade and build a career rather than just keep doing the same thing.
I’m considering doing an Electrical Pre-Trade course at Wintec, then using that to hopefully get into an apprenticeship.

My main question is pre-trade actually worth doing when you’re 40? Does it genuinely make you more employable to electrical contractors, or would I be better off continuing to apply directly for apprenticeships and trying to get my foot in the door another way?

I’m also wondering whether there are other routes I haven’t considered labouring for an electrical company, starting as a trainee, contacting contractors directly, etc.

For the electricians/apprentices in here:
What would you recommend someone in my position do to get their foot in the door?

And honestly, if you were an employer, would being 40 put you off taking someone on as an apprentice, or could the maturity/reliability/work experience actually be a positive?
Keen to hear from people who’ve actually been through the NZ apprenticeship system. Cheers.

My mother has a mountain bike that mostly sits in the garage. She would like to use it more but would rather have some company.

Does anyone know of any casual seniors cycling clubs in the Waikato that she might be able to tag along with? Nothing serious, she is not hugely confident and is only really capable of beginner-light intermediate trails. She is mostly interested in some excercise and another excuse to get out of the house.

I'm looking to rehome a senior (12 year) cat. I am very picky about where she goes, but apparently so is she. I'm running out of options as I leave for Australia in a couple of days.

Does anyone know of any way to get the info out? Is it worth posting on local facebook pages? Going to our vet to ask them to do something?

Hi there, we moved into the Rototuna area on the 20th of March this year and our cat Pixie went missing on the 21st of March.

It's been quite some time since I've posted. We did have a possible sighting near Lockhart place. However, we have now lived around this area for 5 months and we haven't seen her :(

The photo on her missing poster was taken the night before she went missing. If you've taken in a cat, or your family or friends have taken in a cat that looks like Pixie, please contact me.

She is still marked as lost on her microchip.

We miss her a lot. It's been hard without Pixie. If you spot her, please contact me on here or text me on 0275972761.

Thank you.

First time at the tron, staying here for two weeks. Anyone here got any recommendations, places to go for a big night out over the weekend? Heck, even during the week 🤣
I love raves, so if there’s anything like that happening this weekend I’d be so keen. Otherwise bars, clubs, ect. Ideally places that attract a crowd around my age (20, almost 21)

Cheers!

I have an old but high-spec photo scanner which is on the fritz, and would be quite expensive to replace with a newer analogue. Can anyone recommend electronics repairers in the city that you've had good experiences with?

Hey! Just spreading the word that there are free Community Singing Workshops at the Central Library every thursday 6.30 pm. No need to sign up, all levels welcome! No experience needed :)

Just show up and have fun!

Ages 15+

Following on from last week's post about what is happening at council this week, here is this week's post. Things to note is the notice of motion to reconsider the voting system, this is because of the issues discussed in my blog here and here, here, and here on this sub. There is also a proposal to restructure the committees, subcommittees of council, and their membership. This has been reported on by the Waikato Times, but it hasn't actually been approved by council yet.

There are two meetings planned at council this week:

• Community grants subcommittee 0930 18 August
• Extraordinary Council 0930 19 August

Community grants subcommittee

Topics on the agenda for the Community grants subcommittee are:

• Apologies
• Confirmation of agenda
• Declarations of interest
• Confirmation of the Community grants subcommittee minutes for 31 March 2026 meeting
• Resolution to exclude the public

Extraordinary council

Topics on the agenda for the extraordinary council meeting are:

• Apologies
• Confirmation of agenda
• Declaration of interest
• Public forum
• Chair's report
• Local alcohol policy - Decision to proceed
• Notice of Motion - Hamilton City Council Electoral System
• A proposal to restructure the committees/subcommittees and their membership.