Template condensation reactions of formaldehyde with appropriate tetramines and diamines in the presence of N(II) or Cu(II) ion produce square planar complexes of hexaaza macrotricyclic and macrotetracyclic ligands $[M(L)]^{2+}$(M = Ni(II) or Cu(II); L = 4-methyl-1,3,6,8,11,14-hexaazatricyclo[12,2,1,$1^{8,11}$]octadecane(C), 1,3,10,12,15,18-hexaazatetracyclo[16,2,1,$1^{12,15},0^{4,9}]$docosane(D) 4-methyl-1,3,6,8,12,15-hexaazatricyclo[13,3,1,$1^{8,12}$]eicosane(F), or 1,3,10,12,16,19-hexaazatetracyclo[l7,3,1,$1^{12,16},0^{4,9}]$tetracosane(G). These complexes contain two 1,3-diazacyclopentane or 1,3-diazacyclohexane rings in the six-membered chelate rings. The complexes of C and F contain one methyl group and those of D and G one cyclohexane ring in the five-membered chelate ring. Synthesis and characterization of the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes are presented. The effects of the ligand structure on the equilibrium $[Ni(L)]^{2+}2H_2O{\rightleftharpoons}[Ni(L)(H_2O)_2]^{2+}$ in aqueous solutions are described.