The Riff Raff Public Art Trust

01/04/2026

If you are in Garden Place might spot this amazing Easter artwork by Sandra Jensen of Freelunch street theatre company ltd.

A collaborative project between The Riff Raff Trust and Free Lunch using some POSCA New Zealand pens left over from sponsorship of Hamilton Festival Of Weird - Kirikiriroa Art Battle at Waikato Muesum.

Many thanks to Love the Centre - Hamilton Central for the window and their support and to Posca Pens! Love these pens.

We want to do more! Keep an eye out!

08/03/2026

We are happy to be supporters of this years Summer Shakespeare - Much Ado About Nothing! Held in Garden Pl and Victoria on the River this past weekend.

A Hamilton | Kirikiriroa institution Summer Shakespeare has graced locations over Waikato for over 35 years. Always for free, with an appreciation for a koha.

From their infamous dawn performaces at the River to Hamilton | Kirikiriroa Garden Arts Festival to the central city, the cast and legacy continues to grow.

Many thanks to Much Ado About Nothing crew for their performances, and to sponsors Love the Centre - Hamilton Central and

28/02/2026

A fortnight ago tonight we were celebrating THE RETURN OF RIFF RAFF!!!. Was a great party for the Riff Raff Statue and Embassy Park. The 'wash up' is now complete, so it is time to thank all the great folks who helped make it happen.

THANKS TO...
The reason for the event, the ever delightful Richard O'Brien, who was accompanied by his wife Sabrina Graf, and friends Paul Mitchell and Sonja McGirr-Garrett.

My principal Embassy Park 3.0 allies, and sponsors of the event, Vanessa Williams of Love the Centre - Hamilton Central, and Colin Hancock of Trek 'n' Travel.

Tim Macindoe for Mayor of Hamilton, wrangled by Tash Lawrence, Melissa Ferguson and Lee-Ann Jordan.

The other Hamilton City Council folks, Maria Barrie, Leigh Cornes and Kristyn Page from Parks and Open Spaces, Kelvin Powell and Robbie Hermann from CitySafe, and Casey Toa and Jeni Thornborough from Events.

Shane Hobson for projector operation and vid editing.
Chris P**i of Smash Sound and One Man Hit Squad.
Aaron Chesham of ACLX for providing the lights
Lia Sharp for designing and deploying the lights.

Freelunch street theatre company ltd, for stilt-walkers Sandra Jensen and Clare Collins, Voodoo strip dancer Ross Macleod, and Riff Raff Puppet operator and builder Adrian Holroyd.

Sambatron, as wrangled by Laura, Lana Kong and Ben Lincoln.

Hot & Flustered Shadowcast, as wrangled by Paige Foley and Rafael Augusto.

Kate Martin-Brooker, stage manager, and leading the
crew of Ravi Prasad, Laurie Hayes, Kelli Pike, Rohan Austin (extra points for poster distribution), Arthur and Alice.
Tyla Jane Armstrong for merch stall operation.

Mark Hamilton and Malcolm Hutchinson for photography.

Guy Moskon of Moskon Review for poster and other graphic design.
Steve O'Toole at Print House for poster print.
Cameron Williamson at King of Nobody for the tshirts.

John Hill and John Reid from Waikato Police.
Gavin Bloxham and Phil Gallagher from Foster Group Limited.
Brett Rossiter at Hudson Hire for the limo.

For the Riff Raff Cam and website - Dion and Graeme at BluTui, Paul at Central Communications, Jim at Divoli, Lauren Kerr-Bell, and mainly Lia Sharp.

Lastly, but certainly not least Sandra Roberts from the Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show - NZ Tour

Thanks to you all > Mark Servian, Co-Chair, The Riff Raff Public Art Trust.

16/03/2025

08/03/2025

Hamilton Festival Of Weird - Kirikiriroa is in full swing...

There have been a few more strange characters than usual lurking in Hamilton’s Garden Place - and anyone venturing into the city centre this weekend is likely to see a few more.

05/03/2025

Check out the delightful automata we commissioned from Tyla Jane Art, with Lauren doing the wrangling on our side. It is appearing daily this week in Garden Place as part of the HAMILTON | KIRIKIRIROA FESTIVAL OF WEIRD 2025. Make sure you crank its handle for the full kinetic effect!

10/02/2025

As some of you might know we are in the throes of organising Hamilton Festival Of Weird - Kirikiriroa with our pals Freelunch street theatre company ltd. 5 - 12 March we will be taking over the central city with wonderfully weirdy goodness!

As part of the festival we have this AMAZING two-day workshop, 8 - 9 March coming up at the Hamilton | Kirikiriroa Central Library!

Learn to Sculpt with Polymer Clay!

Below is tutor Anya Gladstone's (Happyrock) work.
Anya is specialises in sculpture and puppet making for film.

As this is a collaboration tickets are a fraction of what they normally are for these types of workshops.

$35 + bf (total for two days, includes materials).
Ages 12+ up (for teens and adults).
Only 9 spots now available.
8 - 9 March 10am - 4pm

Tickets are available at tickettailor.com/events/theriffraffpublicarttrust1

Tutor Bio
Anya Gladstone (also known as Anya Happyrock) is a filmmaker and visual artist who specialises in sculpture and puppet making. She has a passion for practical special effects and works in the film industry as a puppet maker, props maker and production designer (whilst also writing and directing her own films).

27/11/2024

Our origin story...

25/10/2024

Unobstructed view of the new Bespoke Bikestands we commissioned for The Meteor. Thanks to Marti Wong and Longveld for making them, and Hamilton City Council for facilitating their installation.

21/10/2024

The first of our bepoke bikestands, going in today at The Meteor. Designed by Marti Wong, fabricated by Longveld, funded by Hamilton City Council's Transport Choices program. Thanks to all!