The delicious kombucha / tī concoctions by Waikirikau Fermented Beverages, made of native plants and brewed in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, have gained a solid customer base. And the drinks are proving just as popular during this tougher, longer lockdown.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Trent Salvatierra is a self-identified weather nerd living in Hamilton. He works as an electrician, but has also had a lifelong interest in tinkering with weather apparatus, by which he can gain all sorts of data. He spoke to WTS about his passion.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Have you or your children ever come across small painted rocks in random places around Hamilton? Then you’ve probably had the privilege of finding a Tron Rock. They’re a phenomenon involving thousands of painters and collectors in Hamilton alone – not to mention the rest of the world. Wayne Morris is a member of the Tron Rocks community, and he has a fascinating story of how one little rock changed his life, and how he’s now passing the joy on to others.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Multiculturalism is one thing, but intercultural connections are another. Earth Diverse is based out of Kirikiriroa Hamilton, and reaches out to the rest of the country and the world to help enhance cultural diversity. Nona Morris is one of the co-founders of Earth Diverse, and she spoke to us in this episode of WTS, along with junior lecturers Michael Burton-Smith and Adam Nachowitz.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Heritage seeds – could they be the secret to a sustainable micro-economy? Michael Heiler is a coordinator of both Te Puna Kai o Waikato and the heritage seed garden at the Fairfield Project, so he joins us on this episode of WTS to help fill us in.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

The matuku, or Australasian bittern, is Go Eco Waikato's favourite to win Forest & Bird's Bird of the Year, which recognises our unique birds and with each vote we give them a voice. The matuku is endangered, with much of its wetland habitat having been destroyed. One of the most important populations is in Whangamarino Wetland near Mercer. WTS spoke to two matuku experts.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

The Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre is on the Firth of Thames, and provides facilities, resources and tour guides for people to discover animals such as the bar-tailed godwits. They migrate here from Alaska every spring, before heading back in the autumn. WTS producer Gary Farrow spoke to godwit expert, Adrian Riegen.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Us versus them – it’s what it feels like sometimes when you look at the plight of cycling advocacy in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. For this episode of WTS Lockdown Edition, Bike Auckland’s Mary-Margaret Slack shares some tales of pushing and winning which could be very relevant to our situation in the Waikato.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

From a hay bail-lined dance hall in Arkansas, to the redoubt bar in Te Awamutu – country music performer JamesRay has come a long way. But how did he end up in the Waikato of all places? Wearing a mask and practising social distancing, he shared his story with WTS Lockdown Edition.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.

Birthright Waikato, which operates as Single Parent Services, has been in the Hamilton area since 1958 and is one of the oldest community social service agencies in the region. For WTS Lockdown Edition, manager Kathleen Miller and youth counsellor Toia Chase shared the story of Birthright, and how its team have navigated lockdown.

Come be enlightened to the quirkier social phenomena of the Waikato.