NEWS AND UPDATES FROM

HAMILTON - KIRIKIRIROA

Hamilton is ready for Homegrown. Are you?

This Saturday, Hamilton will host one of the biggest all-New Zealand music festivals ever staged, and the city is ready. Jim Beam Homegrown will take over Claudelands Oval on 14 March 2026, bringing thousands of fans and more than 40 of Aotearoa’s best-loved artists across seven stages, with visitors travelling from across the country to be part of it. For Hamilton locals, it is a rare chance to experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic music festivals without leaving the c

22 hours ago

Getting to Jim Beam Homegrown: what you need to know

Hamilton Kirikiriroa is preparing to welcome thousands of music fans as Claudelands Oval hosts Jim Beam Homegrown on Saturday 14 March 2026, and the venue is encouraging festivalgoers to plan their transport well in advance. With increased movement across the day, particularly between the CBD and Claudelands, a range of transport options and temporary traffic changes will be in place to help keep people moving safely and efficiently. Free bus travel Valid Jim Beam Homegrown t

3 days ago

Your guide to Bridge to Homegrown

Event schedule for Bridge to Homegrown. Claudelands Bridge is transforming into a vibrant festival walkway for Jim Beam Homegrown, packed with performers, entertainment, food trucks and interactive experiences from morning through midnight.

Mar 3

Bridge to Homegrown FAQs

Everything you need to know about Bridge to Homegrown

Feb 19

Claudelands Bridge to transform into ‘Bridge to Homegrown’

This March, Claudelands Bridge will close to vehicles and reopen as Bridge to Homegrown, a pedestrian-only link connecting Hamilton’s CBD with Jim Beam Homegrown at Claudelands Oval. From 6am Saturday 14 March until 3am Sunday 15 March, the bridge will be closed to vehicles and open to pedestrians from 10am. Activity and festival atmosphere on the bridge will build later in the day, with the space becoming a lively, walkable connection open to everyone, not just festival tick

Feb 17

2026 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars: Everything you need to know

NRL All Stars heads to Hamilton The Māori All Stars have their sights on a clean sweep as the Harvey Norman All Stars return to New Zealand for the second time. FMG Stadium Waikato will host a triple-header, with a mixed touch, women's and men's games to be held. The Māori men are looking to defend their title, having claimed a tense 10-6 victory in last year's clash. The Indigenous women prevailed in 2025 after a pair of Leilani Montgomery penalty goals handed her side a t

Feb 4

Stan Walker to headline 2026 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars

The National Rugby League (NRL) today announced that AMAs Best Māori Artist for 2025, Stan Walker , will give a headline performance at this year’s Harvey Norman All Stars in Hamilton, New Zealand, at FMG Stadium Waikato on Sunday 15 February. A Cultural leader and Tauranga native, Stan will share his talent with the people of Hamilton, performing his award-winning song as well as a brand-new single. Harvey Norman All Stars is the NRL’s annual celebration of Māori and Indige

Jan 20

All Stars players connect with Waikato ahead of 2026 fixture

Kirikiriroa Hamilton welcomed three NRL Harvey Norman All Stars players today as part of the build-up to the 2026 fixture and the launch of public ticket sales. Maaori players Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Harata Butler, Indigenous player Grace Kemp spent the morning at Victoria on the River, sharing their anticipation for the event’s return to Aotearoa and reflecting on the cultural identity central to the All Stars concept. The 2026 fixture marks only the second time the even

Jan 6

Hamilton to host NRL Indigenous vs Māori All Stars

Hamilton will host the 2026 NRL Harvey Norman All Stars double-header for the first time on Sunday 15 February, bringing two blockbuster clashes to FMG Stadium Waikato. The event will feature the Australian Indigenous Women’s All Stars taking on the New Zealand Māori Ferns, followed by the Australian Indigenous Men’s All Stars against the New Zealand Māori All Stars. The day will also include the Māori and Indigenous Touch Football teams. All matches promise fierce competitio

Jan 6