Explore

Crime Stories as Home Truths

A Panel Discussion

Claire Baylis talks with Charity Norman and Michael Bennett about exploring social issues in fiction and how their backgrounds working in the legal system have shaped their crime novels. This special event is happening at Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library on Friday 22 August.

More info on this panel discussion

Branches of Time

 Discovering your Ancestry

Join us on Saturday 23 August at Central Library for a morning of research using our extensive Family History Resources. Members from the New Zealand Society of Genealogists Hamilton Branch and associated interest groups will be visiting to offer their expertise and guidance.

More info on Branches of Time

RAW Beauty

Reclaiming Identity. Reframing the Narrative. RAW Beauty is a transformative photographic master’s exhibition curated by Annah Stretton, bringing to light the stories of waahine with lived experience of incarceration not as statistics, but as women of deep strength, mana, and untapped potential.

See RAW Beauty Exhibition details

Highlights

Children Drawing v5

Colouring Competition! Hamilton Brick Show

Return your entry to your local library by closing time on Sunday 3 August.

Colour in and be in the draw to win a Family Pass to the Hamilton Brick Show happening on Saturday 9 August, and Sunday 10 August, at Claudelands, Hamilton.

Download colouring sheet
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Grief Cafe

Weekly on Mondays

Hillcrest Library

This peer support group is designed to provide a safe space to normalise conversations surrounding the various emotions and challenges that accompany loss. It allows participants to express their feelings without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

See Grief Cafe details
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Scotland's People

Tuesday 29 July

Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library

Join us for an engaging genealogy seminar where you’ll learn how to trace your Scottish ancestry using the official Scotland's People website.

See Scotland's People genealogy seminar details
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Author Talk with H C Roberts

Friday 1 August

Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library

Come and meet Holly Roberts, author of the Harp and the Lyre series. This interactive talk will feature readings and poetic songs from Holly's novel trilogy within the Harp and the Lyre series.

Learn more about Author Talk with HC Roberts
Chinese Aromatherapy v2

芳香润唇膏手作坊 | Essential Oil Lip Balm DIY Workshop

Saturday 9 August

Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library

Join us for a hands-on bilingual workshop to create your very own natural lip balm infused with essential oils. Learn how to care for your lips using gentle, plant-based ingredients that nourish and protect.

See details for Essential Oil Lip Balm Workshop
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Dinsdale Remembers

Monday 11 August

Dinsdale Library

Do you have amazing stories about or memories of Dinsdale? Then the Whakaputu/Archives & Special Collections team would love to meet you!

More info on Dinsdale Remembers
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Get Hooked! Intermediate Classes

Starting Thursday 14 August

Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library

Over six weeks, we will introduce you to a range of intermediate-level techniques and stitches, levelling up your double crochet game to create beautiful patterns and textures in your work.

Register for Get Hooked! Intermediate Classes
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Creative Presence Collage: A Mindful Collage Workshop

Starts Saturday 23 August

Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library

Discover the joy of hands-on collage techniques in this 6-week workshop designed to awaken your creativity and cultivate mindful presence.

More info on Creative Collage Workshops
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Author Talk with Catherine Knight

Thursday 28 August

Te Kete Aronui - Rototuna Library

Join us for this conversation with Catherine Knight. In her latest book, Catherine interweaves the stories of her ancestors, who settled in Whangamarino, Waikato, with the wider social history of New Zealand. Joined by Justin Connolly (Wellbeing Economy Alliance), she will examine the history of commons, their enclosure, and the potential for a re-commoned, regenerative economy centred on wellbeing.

See Catherine Knight event details
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Book Illustration Class - Acrylic Painting for Kids

Saturday 30 August

Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library

This August learn how to paint an illustration of one of the favourite children's books.

More info on Book Illustration Class
Hearing

Hearing Health Check

Every third Wednesday of the month

Chartwell Library

Kent Spence, from Resonate Health, will be available to check the general health of your ears.

More information on hearing checks
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The Wellness Hour

Last Monday of the month

Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library

This is a FREE wellness class aiming to improve community health and well-being. Sessions are for adults of all fitness levels, especially those looking for a gentle introduction to exercise and wellness.

See The Wellness Hour details and registration