Hamilton NZ Daily

22/08/2026

22/08/2026

🎭 One Question Theatre’s Passionfruits: A Family Tragedy That Hits Hard

One Question Theatre’s Passionfruits is a powerful family drama that explores grief, relationships and the complicated emotions that can emerge when a family is pushed to breaking point.

Written and directed by Liam Hinton, with Ruby Brett as co-director, the production brings an intimate and confronting story to the stage at The Meteor in Hamilton.

🎟️ Show: Passionfruits 🎭 Presented by: One Question Theatre ✍️ Written & directed by: Liam Hinton 🎬 Co-directed by: Ruby Brett 📍 Venue: The Meteor, Hamilton 📅 On until: August 22

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/passionfruits-review-one-question-theatre-drama-delivers-family-tragedy/3XGNOCLMNNDAJMPS5H7F77DNWQ/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald.

22/08/2026

🕯️ Tribute Honours Tutor Who Died in Mount Maunganui Landslide

A permanent memorial has been installed at Morrinsville Intermediate honouring tutor Lisa Maclennan, who was among six people killed in the devastating Mount Maunganui landslide on January 22.

Maclennan was remembered as a hero tutor who made a lasting impact on her students and school community.

The memorial provides a permanent place for students, staff and the wider community to remember Maclennan and the contribution she made during her life.

Her death came as the landslide struck the campground beneath Mount Maunganui during extreme rainfall, killing six holidaymakers.

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/mount-maunganui-landslide-tribute-erected-to-hero-tutor-who-lost-life-in-tragic-slip/4HH6IEDPHJCKBA46JZCSLMP5WQ/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald.

22/08/2026

🔥 Hamilton Man Charged Childcare $2900 to Fix Van — Then Torched It

A Hamilton man trusted to repair a Kiwi Kids Club childcare van instead drove it to Hamilton Gardens and set it alight, after months of working on the vehicle.

Jason Paul Monkley had been paid $2900 for repair materials by the Ōtorohanga-based childcare service. After telling the owner the van was ready and that he would take it for a warrant, he instead drove it to Hamilton Gardens in the middle of the night and set it on fire.

Monkley was subsequently charged with arson.

His attempt to conceal what happened was undermined by CCTV footage, which captured him driving the van to the gardens.

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/hamilton-man-jason-monkley-charged-childcare-2900-to-fix-van-then-torched-it/P3Y4RUABV5D6HDAWJFQ2IQYRQI/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald.

21/08/2026

📣 OOSHIES SWAP DAY AT WOOLWORTHS!

If you’re collecting Disney Ooshies, Woolworths is holding a Swap Day today until 12pm. 🧸✨

Bring along your spare Ooshies and see if you can swap them for the ones you’re missing!

⏰ Until 12pm today
📍 Woolworths

Still plenty of time to head down! 🙌

21/08/2026

🚤 Boat, Fish & Dive Expo Set to Draw Thousands of Enthusiasts

The NZ Boat, Fish & Dive Expo is returning to Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton on August 29–30, bringing together boating, fishing and diving enthusiasts for a huge weekend event.

More than 100 exhibitors are expected, including 40-plus boat brands, along with fishing tackle, dive equipment, marine electronics, kayaks, clothing, accessories and seafood.

Families will also have plenty to see, with children’s activities, interactive displays, demonstrations and expert talks covering everything from boating safety to fishing and marine conservation.

🎣 Organisations including Coastguard NZ and LegaSea will also be involved, promoting water safety, responsible boating and sustainable fishing.

📅 Saturday, August 29: 9am–5pm 📅 Sunday, August 30: 9am–4pm 📍 Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton 🎟️ Adult one-day pass: $25 | Children 12 and under: Free | Free parking

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/nz-boat-fish-dive-expo-set-to-reel-in-big-crowd/T4PY45O4ONBVXIXVGUKTIR2VTQ/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald

21/08/2026

🚔 460 Cannabis Plants Grown in Plain Sight Near Courthouse and Police Station

A cannabis-growing operation involving 460 plants was uncovered in Huntly, remarkably close to a police station and district court.

Tu Ngoc Vu, his wife Hong Thi Vu, and Thanh Van Mai were caught after staff at a neighbouring daycare noticed a strong cannabis odour coming from a warehouse on William St.

Police also discovered a second growing operation at the couple’s home in Ngāruawāhia, where officers found around 60kg of cannabis plants, packaged cannabis heads, soil and electrical equipment.

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/vietnamese-couple-grew-460-cannabis-plants-opposite-court-house-near-police-station/ILNT42KVYZEDFFM3XWJTJU736Y/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald.

21/08/2026

🚗 Bay of Plenty & Waikato Speed Limit Changes: Submissions Close August 27

Drivers and communities across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty have just one week left to have their say on proposed changes to speed limits on several state highways.

🕔 Submissions close at 5pm on Thursday, August 27. NZTA says feedback will be considered alongside safety, technical and cost-benefit assessments.

In the Bay of Plenty, proposals include:

Reducing the speed limit through Tauriko Village on SH29 from 70km/h to 60km/h.
Introducing an Intersection Speed Zone at SH29 and Ōmanawa Rd, temporarily reducing speeds from 100km/h to 60km/h when activated.
Removing the existing variable speed limit outside Tauriko School.

In the Waikato, proposed changes cover sections around Te Rerenga, Whenuakite, Matamata, Whatawhata, Pirongia and Te Kūiti, along with an intersection speed zone at SH25/Moewai Rd in Whitianga.

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/bay-of-plenty-and-waikato-speed-limit-changes-public-submissions-close-august-27/VYCEWPVZNVGYHMUJQ2H2XURBLE/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald. 

21/08/2026

🚨 Hamilton Body Discovery: Man Charged With Murder, Police Say No Public Risk

A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder following the discovery of a deceased person in Rototuna, Hamilton.

Police were called to the northern Hamilton suburb yesterday and launched an investigation into the death. The accused appeared in the Hamilton District Court.

Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Durston said the people involved were known to one another and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. Police also believe there is no risk to the public. (facebook.com)

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/hamilton-body-discovery-man-charged-with-murder-police-say-no-public-risk/JROOLGUPPFAXJEOYOLNUPZERDM/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald.

21/08/2026

🚨 Tom Phillips Shooting: IPCA Finds Police Actions Were Justified

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has found that the police officer who fatally shot fugitive Tom Phillips was justified in acting in self-defence.

Phillips was shot on September 8, 2025, on Te Anga Rd between Te Kūiti and Marokopa, after a confrontation with Waikato police. He had been wanted since disappearing into the bush with his three children in December 2021.

The IPCA found that Phillips had shot and critically wounded another police officer shortly before Officer D arrived. Officer D then saw Phillips pointing a rifle towards the patrol car and believed he was in immediate danger of being shot himself.

The watchdog also found that police provided appropriate aftercare to Phillips. However, it identified shortcomings in police command and control during the operation, including confusion over who was acting as incident controller.

read more - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/news/tom-phillips-shooting-ipca-deems-police-actions-justified/L6SHT2LXCFCT5H3SJEHEFRWJ74/



📸 Post Credit: NZ Herald.