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Home / Waikato News

Love the Centre Awards 2025: Favourite Hamilton CBD businesses honoured

Waikato Herald
5 Nov, 2025 10:26 PM3 mins to read

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The Love The Centre Awards took place at the K'aute Pasifika fale. Photo / Ruth Gilmour Photography

The Love The Centre Awards took place at the K'aute Pasifika fale. Photo / Ruth Gilmour Photography

This year’s winners of the Love the Centre Awards have been announced.

The annual awards, run by Hamilton Central Business Association, celebrate businesses that make Hamilton’s CBD a destination.

The ceremony was held at the K’aute Pasifika fale with catering – including a tiramisu bar – by Cream Eatery, which also took out an award in the category Daytime – Eat and Drink.

On social media, Cream Eatery said they were “so stoked” to come away with a win and a highly commended recognition in the Local Good category.

“Big thank you to our hard-working team, our customers and everyone that enjoys what we do.

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“We feel so lucky to be nearly five years into this with people on both sides of the counter that have been with us since day one.”

Hamilton Central Business Association general manager Vanessa Williams said the evening was a “celebration of what makes central Hamilton thrive”.

“[Our] businesses, our people, our experiences.

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“It is an honour to recognise the talent, hard work, and resilience of our businesses.

“It is through dedication, passion and determination that the business community has turned Hamilton central into a place where people want to be.”

Spark Business returned for the eighth year as the main sponsor of the awards.

 Cream Eatery won the Love The Centre Award 2025 in the category Daytime – Eat and Drink. Photo / Moving Media
Cream Eatery won the Love The Centre Award 2025 in the category Daytime – Eat and Drink. Photo / Moving Media

Spark Business business lead Fabian Pathirana said they were proud to be on board again.

“The businesses recognised tonight are creating opportunities, building community, and showcasing exactly why people love being in the heart of our city.”

Award winners

Activity

Winner – Waikato Society of Arts

Runner-up – Last Place

Highly Commended – Meteor Theatre

Customer Service

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Winner – Mr Pickles Bar & Eatery

Runner-up – Journey + Co

Highly Commended - True Store

Eat & Drink – Bars & Restaurants

Winner - Gothenburg

Runner Up – Mr Pickles Bar & Eatery

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Highly Commended - Palate

Eat & Drink – Daytime

Winner - Cream Eatery

Runner-up - Frank

Highly Commended – Rüdi’s Bakehouse

Established Business

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Winner – Goldsmiths Gallery

Runner-up – Snapshot Photo Warehouse

Highly Commended – Texas Radio

Health & Beauty

Winner – O-Studio

Runner-up – Loren Ashley Skin Clinic

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Highly Commended – The Piercing Shop

New Business

Winner – Tipsy Putt

Runner-up – O-Studio

Highly Commended – Saigon ‘60s

Not for Profit

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Winner – Dress for Success

Runner-up – The Meteor Theatre

Highly Commended – Breast Cancer Research Trust

Professional Services

Winner – Harkness Henry

Runner-up – Brainchild

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Highly Commended – Soda

Public Good

Winner – Dumpling House

Runner-up – Fun Zone

Highly Commended – Cream Eatery

Shopping

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Winner - Again & Again Consignment

Runner Up - True Store

Highly Commended - Journey + Co

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