Ashburton Courier

06/11/2025

Secluded high country station, at the confluence of the Wilberforce, Rakaia and Mathias rivers - near Lake Coleridge - is on the market.

One of the country's most storied high-country stations is on the market, for those with $50 million or more to spare.

06/11/2025

Nesting time for birds on the riverbed

Nesting is under way for some of Canterbury’s special braided river birds. The season has had a tough start with recent heavy rains and rising rivers, making it all the more important for people to play their part. Each spring and summer from the start of September through to the end of February, ...

06/11/2025

Rescue mission for Ashburton crew

Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade members freed a boy who had his finger severely injured and stuck in a bicycle wheel. They were called to his Netherby address about 1pm on Sunday. Chief Jeff Marshall said when firefighters arrived, Hato Hone St John was already at the scene. ‘‘Unfortunately we ...

05/11/2025

A trial begins next week on an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system for parking compliance in Ashburton. Thoughts?

A camera-fitted car will soon be patrolling Ashburton's streets in a trial to spot overstaying parkers. The Ashburton District Council will trial an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system from next week to find out if the technology could be used for parking compliance in Ashburton. The fi...

05/11/2025

Show president not holding back on chilli eating experience.

Crowds were enthralled at Ashburton’s first-ever chilli eating competition, drawn by the spectacle of contestants torturing themselves to the point of agony and sickness. ‘‘Pain, pain, pain,’’ said one contestant when the emcee asked how he was feeling. By that time in proceedings, contest...

03/11/2025

Fourth time, fourth building, under a fourth mayor.

Russell Ellis has been sworn in as an Ashburton District councillor for a fourth time, in a fourth building, and under a fourth mayor last Wednesday. Ellis was first elected in 2013, with the councillors based in the old chambers on the top floor of the old council building at Baring Square West whe...

03/11/2025

Save the date - Relay for Life in Ashburton in Saturday, March 21, 2026!

**Join the fight against cancer: Relay for Life Mid Canterbury 2026** Ashburton, New Zealand

Mid Canterbury is pleased to welcome back Relay for Life 2026 taking place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Ashburton A and P Showgrounds. This inspiring community event encourages everyone to celebrate, remember, and fight back against cancer.

Relay for Life is a powerful initiative that brings together hundreds of Kiwis to honour survivors, support caregivers, and commemorate loved ones lost to cancer. Since its introduction to New Zealand in 2001, this event has played a vital role in fundraising for cancer care across Aotearoa. Registration is now open, with an early bird registration fee available at: https://midcanterbury.relayforlife.org.nz/

Everyone is encouraged to rally their friends, family, classmates, and colleagues to join in the fight against cancer. Small steps can make a remarkable difference for people affected by cancer in our community. Whether you have a personal connection to cancer or simply want to make an impact, this is a chance to come together as a community and show your support.

A bold fundraising goal of $175,000 has been set to meet the growing needs of those affected by cancer. The event will feature a full day of entertainment and refreshments, ensuring participants stay energized as they take turns passing the baton in a relay format. Key parts will include the celebration lap and the candlelight remembrance ceremony, which are chosen to highlight the deeper meaning of the day.

Join us in making this Relay for Life event the most successful yet; sign up, spread the word, and start fundraising today. Together, we can make a real difference in the fight against cancer.

So, get your family, friends, school or workplace together and get a team in!

01/11/2025

Trio, with collectively more than 110 years service, recognised.

Hato Hone St John members Paul Thomas, Graeme Mangin and Alison Hewson have given, collectively, more than 110 years service to the organisation. They were among those recently acknowledged at an annual award ceremony in Ashburton. Eighty-six-year-old Paul Thomas got involved with the organisation 4...

01/11/2025

Youth MP learning from New Zealand's leaders.

Not every high school student can say they have dined with the Prime Minister, but for 17-year-old Maevi Fleming it was a memorable time. The Roncalli College student - who is the Youth Member of Parliament for Rangitata - was excited earlier this year to learn she had been chosen for the position.....

01/11/2025

Event's success helped by access to RDR.

The lifeline of Mid Canterbury’s agricultural land was a lifeline for race organisers of The Salmon Run Rakaia event, hit by raging river conditions. The flow in the Rakaia River was too high for the kayak leg of the multi-sport event and organisers resorted to Plan B using the Rangitata Diversion...

01/11/2025

Grand parade gets underway

31/10/2025

The sun has come out as the chilli eating competition gets into round 5 at the Ashburton A&P Show. Good effort president Ben Stock!