Farmers’ markets are also a great way to meet the farmers, the growers and the makers. As well as the delicious and nutritious, many of the Waikato’s markets also tempt with local arts and crafts.
Most have Facebook pages where you can check prior to each market day what’s going to be for sale, and whether the market is being impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. You can also check with the local i-SITE.
- Hamilton Farmers’ Market
- Cambridge Farmers’ Market
- Tamahere Country Market
- Te Awamutu Produce Market
- Hamilton Night Market
- Hamilton River Market
- Frankton Markets, Hamilton
- Raglan Creative Market
- Raglan Growers’ Market
- Pirongia Market
- Pirongia Craft Day
- Morrinsville Country Market
- Pokeno Country Market
- Huntly Farmers Markets
- Ōtorohanga Craft Market
- Piopio Community Market
- Aberdeen Craft Market, Hamilton
- Matamata Market
- Extravaganza in the Park
Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Hamilton Farmers’ Market is a perfect way to start a Sunday in the Waikato.
There’s breakfast and hot coffee, live music - and some of the best artisanal products and produce. Hamilton Farmers’ Market today has 60-plus regular stalls offering lots to fill even the hungriest shopping bag - from fresh local fruit and vegetables, breads and pastries, chocolates and coffee to butchery goods, fish and seafood, handcrafted cheeses, locally harvested honey, and all manner of condiments.
Location: Gate 3, Brooklyn Road, Claudelands
Time: Every Sunday 8am - 12pm
Cambridge Farmers’ Market
Held every Saturday morning, Cambridge Farmers’ Market is held under the trees in Victoria Square where in the summer months it often shares the park with local cricketers.
Many of the stallholders you’ll find on a Sunday at Hamilton Farmers’ Market are also here - and there’s live music too; often the performers are local. Some freshly baked bread and a chunk of local cheese could be the makings of a picnic, either right there in Victoria Square, or you could head down to the river or, a short drive away, to the shores of Lake Karapiro, a favourite with rowing teams and kayakers.
Location: Victoria Square, cnr Victoria Street & Alpha Street
Time: Every Saturday 8am - 12pm
Tamahere Country Market
The ever popular Tamahere Country Market is held in the grounds of St Stephen’s Church at Tamahere on the third Saturday of every month. This busy, eclectic market draws local stallholders as well as vendors from further afield. For sale is everything from fresh produce, some of it organically grown, to artisanal food products, and plants to arts and crafts, including clothing, and gardening supplies such as herb, vegetable and flower seedlings. Make sure to check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: St Stephen’s Church grounds, cnr Airport Road and Tamahere Drive
Time: Third Saturday of every month 8am - 1pm
Te Awamutu Produce Market
Each Thursday evening during the summer months (September - May) the Te Awamutu Produce Market is held in Selwyn Park, next to Te Awamutu i-SITE and opposite the rose gardens.
There’s lots of tasty local fare to be found here, from freshly baked bread, seasonal fruit and vegetables to salamis, jams and preserves. The local growers and producers are always happy to chat about their goods and share cooking techniques and recipes. Flowers and plant seedlings are for sale too. Check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: Selwyn Park, Gorst Ave, Te Awamutu
Time: Thursdays 1:30pm - 5.30pm (September - May)
Hamilton Night Market
Every Friday night the Hamilton Night Market sets up shop at The Base with more than 100 stalls packed with fashion, hand-made jewellery and food from around the world. There is also live music and entertainment too. The market makes for a great evening out - family friendly, good things to eat and some new treasures to take home. Remember to check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: The Base, Te Rapa, Hamilton - northern carpark opposite Mitre 10 Mega.
Time: Every Friday 5pm until late
Hamilton River Market
Held every Sunday at Sonning Carpark on River Road, the Hamilton East River Market offers fresh and local produce of all kinds, from free range eggs and cakes to smoked salmon, avocado and more. The market also holds craft days on the first and third Sunday each month. Check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: 203 River Road, Hamilton
Time: Every Sunday 8am - 1pm
Frankton Markets
Regulars at Frankton Markets say the Saturday morning market has a nice vibe and is a tasty way to start the weekend. Stalls offer plenty of variety, from something to snack on for breakfast - including coffee, of course - as you check out what’s for sale, to ethnic foods and fresh produce, to spiritual healing and clothing to accessories, jewellery, fashion, arts, craft and more. Make sure to check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: Kent Street Carpark, Frankton, Hamilton
Time: Every Saturday from 8am - 1pm
Raglan Creative Market
The Raglan Creative Market takes place in the Raglan Old School Arts Centre between 10am and 2pm on the second Sunday of every month. While offering some of the best produce from around the local area the market also features paintings, photography and original fashion. Raglan’s arts community sits at the heart of the Raglan lifestyle and the market is a great way to soak up the town’s relaxed attitude and creative vibe. Check the market’s website prior to the market day.
Location: Raglan Old School Arts Centre, Stewart Street, Raglan
Time: Second Sunday of every month 10am - 2pm
Raglan Growers’ Market
Each Friday late afternoon and into the early evening, Raglan gardeners with surplus produce offer shoppers a range of fresh-as seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs - much of it spray-free or organically grown. The market is a joint venture between two local organisations, the iHub and Whāingaroa Environment Centre, working to ensure Raglan and the surrounding area has a resilient food system and that residents have healthy, culturally appropriate food that’s produced sustainably. Check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: 1 Stewart Street, Raglan - beside the Union Church
Time/Date: Every Friday 4pm - 7pm
Pirongia Market
Pirongia Market, held on the last Sunday of each month, has a great community vibe and offers a good range of locally grown fruit and vegetables, other food products, vegetable and herb seedlings, fresh flowers, plus arts and crafts including baby and children’s clothing. Check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: Pirongia Memorial Hall, Franklin Street, Pirongia
Time: Last Sunday of the month, 9:00am-2:00pm
Pirongia Craft Day
Each year in September Pirongia closes off its main street to stage the annual Pirongia Craft Day. While through traffic is guided on a small detour, the central Franklin Street becomes a colourful open airopen-air market with stalls on both sides of the road through the village. In keeping with the theme ‘handmade or home-grown, this fun craft day showcases local arts and crafts, fresh produce and food products. There’s always lots of entertainment ensuring it’s a good day out for the entire family. For more information check the market’s Facebook page.
Location: Franklin Street, Pirongia
Time/Date: September each year (actual date varies)
Morrinsville Country Market
Head to Morrinsville on the first Saturday of each month (excluding January) for the Morrinsville Country Market, jointly organised by the local Lions and Rotary clubs. Stallholders offer everything from fresh produce and delicious country fare, plants and flowers, to dog treats - would yours like some beef jerky? There’s also locally handmade crafts, including cute things for babies and young children (look out for crafts depicting dairy cows, the Morrinsville area is a major dairy farming region). Check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: Canada Street, adjacent to the Morrinsville Library
Time: First Saturday of every month 8:30am - 12:30pm (excluding January)
Pokeno Country Market
Giant ice-creams, delicious bacon and sausages have put the small town of Pokeno in North Waikato on the radar for many people. Every Sunday there’s the added attraction of the friendly Pokeno Country Market offering produce, plants, arts and crafts. With Pokeno an hour south from Auckland and the same drive time north of Hamilton, the market is a convenient and enjoyable Sunday outing. Check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: Pokeno Village
Time: Every Sunday 9am - 4pm
Huntly Farmers Markets
Fresh locally grown produce is also a feature at the Huntly Farmers’ Market held on the first three Saturdays of each month. Make sure to check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: William Street, Huntly
Time: First, second & third Saturday of every month 8am - 12pm
Ōtorohanga Craft Market
Home baking, sweet treats and preserves sit cheek by jowl with locally made handcrafts and art at the monthly Ōtorohanga Craft Market. Some of the stallholders specialise in beautiful wool handknits, others show off their needlework and quilting expertise, and then there are gifted artists resident in the area who portray the local rural landscape and birdlife. Check the market’s Facebook page prior to the market day.
Location: Village Green, Otorohanga
Time: Fourth Sunday of every month 9am - 2pm
Piopio Community Market
Fresh produce, delicious food and locally made treasures are the drawcards at the monthly Sunday morning Piopio Community Market. The market lines the main street of this village which serves a large, productive agricultural district, and is located a 30-minute drive south of the Waitomo Caves area.
Location: Main Street (SH3), Piopio
Time: Third Sunday of every month 9am - 12pm
Aberdeen Craft Market
Hamilton’s Aberdeen School grounds come alive with the sound of kids laughing, families enjoying themselves, the busy hum of shoppers and coins clinking at the school’s annual market day. Stalls offer a range of food products, arts and crafts - and there’s live music to entertain on this great family day out.
Location: Rototuna Jnr High, Kimbrae Drive, Hamilton
Time: 4th Saturday of November each year
Matamata Market
Held on the second Saturday of each month, Matamata Market features locally made crafts, gifts and a range of food products including fresh produce. The market promises toothsome goodies whether your palate is savoury or sweet. More information here
Location: Matamata Primary School, Broadway, Matamata
Time: 2nd Saturday each month 7:30am - 12:30pm
Extravaganza in the Park
Community market where artisans, crafters and community groups sell their handmade products.
Location: The Western Community Centre, 46 Hyde Ave, Nawton, Hamilton
Time: Twice a year in March & Christmas