Rural Guardian

29/10/2025

Ashburton A&P Show president Ben Stock is heading into his second and final year at the helm, and he’s determined to go out with a bang.
Claire Inkson has the story.

Ashburton A&P Show president Ben Stock is heading into his second and final year at the helm, and he’s determined to go out with a bang. With the theme Cultivating Community, this year’s show is all about connection, collaboration, and good old-fashioned country fun. “The A&P

29/10/2025

The Ashburton A&P Association is spicing things up this spring with the first-ever Ashvegas Chilli Competition, run in partnership with Christchurch hot sauce company SpicyBoys.

On Saturday 1 November, up to 30 contestants will take the stage at the Ashburton Showgrounds, pushing through rounds of chilli sauces and fresh chillies of increasing intensity until only one remains - earning the title of 2025 Ashvegas Chilli Champion.
Claire Inkson has the story.

The Ashburton A&P Association is spicing things up this spring with the first-ever Ashvegas Chilli Competition, run in partnership with Christchurch hot sauce company SpicyBoys. On Saturday 1 November, up to 30 contestants will take the stage at the Ashburton Showgrounds, pushing through rounds of c...

28/10/2025

🎟️ TICKET GIVEAWAY! 💪🎶🏴

Aye, ready to toss your name in the caber? We’ve got two tickets to the Hororata Highland Games - where tartan meets tractor country and the sound of bagpipes fills the Canterbury air!

To enter:
1️⃣ Like the Rural Guardian page
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag your Highland Games sidekick and tell us your favourite thing about Scotland — the bagpipes, the whisky, the kilts, or maybe the accent? 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎻

Winners announced Monday! So grab your tartan, dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for a world-class celebration of strength, spirit, and a wee bit of Scottish mischief.

📍 Hororata Domain
📅 Saturday 8 November
🎟️ Tickets & info: www.hororatahighlandgames.org.nz



Want to know more about the Hororata Highland Games? Claire Inkson has all you need to know here:👇

Dust off your tartan and tune up your bagpipes as the Hororata Highland Games return to Canterbury on Saturday, November 8, bringing with them the colour, music and energy of one of the South Island’s biggest community festivals. Now in its 14th year, the event has grown from small

27/10/2025

A Winslow property is set to become a research facility for local agricultural service company Carrfields.
Anisha Satya has the story.

A Winslow property is set to become a research facility for local agricultural service company Carrfields. “Spring Farm” down Hinds Highway formerly belonged to Reith Agri-Imports Limited (formerly NZ Tractors), and was used as an operations base. Former owners Anthea and Grant Reith also ran an...

26/10/2025

After last Thursday’s storm left many rural families cleaning up, without power or still checking damage, today’s Labour Day forecast brings more concern.
MetService is warning of strong winds, heavy rain and even snow in parts of the South Island, so please take care if you are travelling, working stock or heading out on farm jobs.

✅ Check road conditions before you go: NZTA Journey Planner
✅ Keep an eye on your local MetService forecast
✅ Look out for neighbours, especially those already affected by last week’s severe weather

Our thoughts are with everyone still recovering. Stay safe today team.

24/10/2025

What a day! The Northern A&P Show at Rangiora’s Showgrounds is absolutely buzzing – sunshine, great crowds, and loads happening for the whole family. We’re here soaking it all in… come along and make a day of it! ☀️

24/10/2025

The humble country pub has long been more than just a place to grab a cold one.

In many rural communities, it is the beating heart of social life, connection, and resilience.

That spirit was on full display during the Rural Guardian’s inaugural South Island Country Pub of the Year competition, which drew more than 5,000 votes and ignited local pride from Nelson to Southland.

When the votes closed on October 20, the Makikihi Country Hotel emerged as the winner with an impressive 1,200 votes, closely followed by Donegal House in Kaikōura on 963 votes.
Claire Inkson went to meet with much-loved publicans and some loyal locals in Makikihi to see what all the fuss was about.

Makikihi Country Hotel

The humble country pub has long been more than just a place to grab a cold one. In many rural communities, it is the beating heart of social life, connection, and resilience. That spirit was on full display during the Rural Guardian’s inaugural South Island Country Pub of the

23/10/2025

🌞 The weather’s cleared and the big day is almost here! 🚜🎡

It’s Equestrian Day at the Northern A&P Rangiora Show today, and we’re counting down because we’ll be there TOMORROW (Saturday) soaking up all the action!

After this week’s wild weather, we’re relieved to see a much brighter forecast ahead - perfect for a full day of horses, livestock, rides, food, farm fun and catching up with familiar faces. 🙌

📍 Rangiora Showgrounds
📅 We’ll be there Saturday 25 October – come say hi!

Whether you’re there for the animals, the entertainment, the shopping, or just the atmosphere, it’s a show not to be missed.

See you at the Rangiora Show tomorrow! 🌾🐎
Northern A&P Association

23/10/2025

What if our ideas about how we “should” feel on a daily basis was so unobtainable that literally every single day we failed to meet that target, so then we jump to assuming that there’s something wrong with us?
Read what registered counsellor Kathryn Wright has to say.

“I just want to be happy”. Something I hear on an almost daily basis, in my personal and professional roles. It’s also something everybody wants for their children – and with good reason. Why would we not? Being happy has become the holy grail of wellness, a sign of excellent

22/10/2025

Stay safe out there team⚠️

22/10/2025

Severe weather is on the way again and we’re thinking of everyone out there farming, fencing, trucking or just holding things together at home. Stay safe and keep an eye out for your neighbours. Rural communities are strongest when we look out for each other 💚🌾