He Toi Whakaari o Kirikiriroa - Variety Acts of Hamilton Exhibition
Visit Level 3 of Central Library from 17 November until February 2026 and discover the love Kirikiriroa has had for performance through the decades.
A group of young women practice ballet in the park. Reference: 1938.01.43
He Toi Whakaari o Kirikiriroa celebrates the rich history of performance in Hamilton, from dance, ballet, choirs, orchestras, bands, and kapa haka that have entertained our community through the years. The exhibition offers a glimpse into Hamilton’s history as it grew from a frontier encampment into the riverside city we know today. It highlights some of the many performances that have captured audiences’ imaginations along the way.
A programme for The famous new Bodenwieser Vienese modern expressive ballet, 1950. Reference: HCL_00298
In the late 1800s, as a new colonial settlement emerged on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton’s settlers introduced British-style entertainment with regimental bands and seasonal galas. Orchestral performances began in New Zealand as early as the 1840s, and professional orchestras flourished in the main centres. By the early 1900s, musicians and performers were preparing for the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906, which showcased the young dominion’s growing cultural identity. That same year, the Hamilton Orchestral Society was formed, featuring a strong and balanced ensemble of woodwind, brass, and strings that reflected the city’s enthusiasm for classical music and performance.
Before home radios became common, Hamiltonians flocked to musical performances by local and international artists. Concerts, choirs, and orchestras were key social events that brought people together to share in the joy of live performance.
By the 1950s, Hamilton’s performing arts scene continued to thrive. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation inspired a wave of celebration across the city, from symphonies and ballets to community festivities held at Frankton Hall. Music also played a role in wellbeing, with recuperating patients once enjoying performances by the Waikato Hospital Band from their rotunda around 1923.
A Brass band at the Waikato Hospital band rotunda, c.1923. Reference: HCL_01684
You can view He Toi Whakaari o Kirikiriroa: Variety Acts of Hamilton on Level 3 of the Central Library. The exhibition brings together photographs, posters, and artefacts from our heritage collection, offering a vibrant look at the performances and people who have shaped Hamilton’s cultural life.
The exhibition will be on display until February 2026, giving you plenty of time to explore Hamilton’s story of music, theatre, and performance through the ages.
He Toi Whakaari o Kirikiriroa celebrates these moments and more, honouring the artists, audiences, and community spirit that have kept Hamilton’s stages alive for generations.
Mana Wahine by the Okareka Dance Company, August 2014. Reference: 2021.11.253