Waikato Alumni Meet-up: Mat Pedley

Join us for an inspiring evening of connection and regional business success!

Meet Mat Pedley

Mat Pedley is one of the busiest operators in Hamilton hospitality. He was born in New Plymouth, grew up across Christchurch, Hamilton and Cambridge, and started out making sandwiches at Subway. In 2018 he and his wife Liisi Havam launched Mr Pickles Bar & Eatery, in Riverbank Lane.

Since then, in partnership with Alex Hudson and John Moughan, Overproof has grown to include Last Place, Wonder Horse, Everyday Eatery at Hamilton Zoo, Reggie's on the rooftop at Made Market, and Neat below it.

In 2025, along with Mat's longtime right-hand man, Jono Knapp, the team took on Hamilton's new regional theatre precinct, which Pedley calls the biggest project in Hamilton and frames as investing in the CBD.

He won the Good George Local Hero title at the 2020 Waikato Food Inc Awards for work on mental health in hospitality, and was described as a leader who puts staff wellbeing first. He responded that plenty of others deserved the award more.

Agenda

4.30pm - Networking, drinks and nibbles.

5pm-6pm - Hear from Icehouse and Mat Pedley

6pm - More networking, drinks and nibbles

Bring a guest

Have someone in mind who would likely benefit from an Icehouse programme one day? Then bring them along! Limit of one guest per alumni, please register them at the same time as you register yourself.

RSVP by Friday, October 20th! Spaces are limited—don't miss out!