Hamilton Heroes 2026

Great stories. Local legends. Inspiring journeys. Hamilton Heroes is back for 2026! Join Soda for an end-of-year celebration of the people, ideas and businesses helping shape Kirikiriroa Hamilton. From podcasting and architecture to hospitality and sustainability, we'll hear from some of our city's most creative and entrepreneurial minds as they share the stories behind their success, the challenges they've overcome and the lessons they've learnt along the way. Meet our Hamilton Heroes: • Steve Holloway & Seamus Marten - The voices behind NZ’s Podcast of the Year, Between Two Beers • Brian White & Daniel Smith - Two of the creative minds behind award-winning architecture firm Edwards White • Lisa Quarrie - Co-founder of Hayes Common and Common Compost, leading the way in sustainable hospitality Each will share insights from their journey, followed by a panel discussion, audience Q&A and an opportunity to connect over drinks and nibbles. Hamilton Heroes Date: Thursday 3 December 2026 Time: 4-6pm Location: Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, Wintec City Campus, Hamilton This is a FREE event, but places are limited. Register now to secure your spot! Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur or simply passionate about our city, Hamilton Heroes is an opportunity to be inspired, make connections and celebrate the people doing great things right here in our backyard. About our speakers Steve Holloway & Seamus Marten - Between Two Beers Steve and Seamus are two best mates from Hamilton that turned a hobby into a dream. Six years ago they bought a microphone and started a podcast in Steve's garage. Today, it's NZ's most popular long-form interview show, with over five million total downloads and an audience of over 180,000 listeners a month. The duo lean on their 20-year friendship to create a comfortable place for NZ's most interesting guests to let their guard down in long-form interviews. Steve and Seamus went 'all in' on the podcast in 2024, ditching their nine-to-fives to focus on growing their show. Since then, they have launched two new businesses - B2B Speakers and Reflections.Life and produced a series Accidental Business Owners where they share all the most interesting insights of their ride in a live coaching session. Brian White & Daniel Smith - Edwards White Brian White and Daniel Smith are part of the talented team behind Edwards White Architects, a Hamilton-based architecture practice recognised for its award-winning designs across a wide range of sectors. As a founding Director, Brian has been instrumental in shaping the practice since 2005, bringing a passion for design excellence and creating vibrant public spaces through quality architecture and urban design. Daniel brings extensive experience across commercial, hospitality, residential and urban design projects, combining creative thinking with practical solutions and a collaborative approach. Together, they share a passion for thoughtful architecture that enhances the spaces where we live, work and connect. Lisa Quarrie - Hayes Common Lisa Quarrie is a hospitality entrepreneur, community builder and passionate advocate for a more sustainable future, with nearly 20 years of experience owning and operating hospitality businesses in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Together with her husband and co-founder Brent, Lisa has created three highly regarded eateries and a food truck, with their longest-running venture, Hayes Common, opening in 2016. Transforming a historic building in Hayes Paddock into a much-loved neighbourhood eatery, they've built a business where great food, genuine hospitality, sustainability and community connection are at its heart. Their belief that businesses can be a force for positive change has underpinned all their hospitality ventures and, more recently, inspired them to take that thinking beyond the walls of their eateries. Together, they founded Common Compost, a grassroots initiative turning hospitality food waste into valuable soil, working alongside local businesses, growers and councils to create a more circular, regenerative food system. Together, Lisa and Brent continue to explore how hospitality can create meaningful impact, not just through the food and experiences they offer, but through the communities they support and the connections they create.