GET READY, WHAANAU, IT'S THE 12TH ANNUAL 50+ STALL HOLDERS 10 AWARDS 1 AFTER PARTY

Saturday May the 9th will see the Hamilton Central Library bustling with creatives, crafters, makers and more, in celebration of the 2026 Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest. 

Supported by the Creative Communities Scheme, and in its 12th year, the Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest celebrates the ‘zine’–which rhymes with scene–miniature DIY publications which can explore anything from a story or a poem, to collage, photography, comic, artwork, craft and more.

The festival is made possible through the support of the local creative community, including a volunteer organising team, collaboration with Hamilton City Libraries, workshop facilitators, stallholders, attendees, and local businesses and organisations onboard as prize sponsors. The event poster by local artist Brenna Forsythe/Four Scythes offers a taste of the vibe: vibrant, creative and inclusive. Local screen printers King of Nothing are creating the official merchandise, including t-shirts, and tote bags to fill with zine treasures. 

Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest 2026 will also be the first place the public can get their hands on Aotearoa’s first extensive zine history. Zines NZ (punk to present) by committee member Bryce Galloway is published by Massey University Press and will be available at the market.