Ashburton Courier

09/09/2025

It's a rock musical with punk attitude, and who better to present it than our very own Methven Theatre Company. That Bloody Woman opens 8pm Thursday, running for three nights through to Saturday. It features iconic historical figure Kate Sheppard, played by Murran Carter-Buller, centre. She is pictured with her best friend Jennie Lovell-Smith, left, played by Hannah Deans, and Ada Wells, played by Jenny Thompson. Tickets Ashburton Event Centre or Cafe45 in Methven.

07/09/2025

Updated version, with story ... Dunking it fundraiser for Plunket this week

A cafe will be popping up at Community House Mid Canterbury this week. It’s to support the work of Plunket Whanau Awhina - Mid Canterbury in the community. Dunk it for Plunket will be held there Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm, with the aim raising funds and awareness of their services. Commun...

05/09/2025

Creations to go on display at the Ashburton Brick Show tomorrow

Building her own Lego creations is all about story telling for Abby Woods of Ashburton. Describing herself as ‘‘artsy crafty’’, Woods became a brick building enthusiast about five years ago. She is currently preparing for her first ever Ashburton Brick Show tomorrow, constructing her own Leg...

05/09/2025

Affects the Alpine Rivers such as Rakaia and Rangitata...

Find out more information about our recently issued flood warning.

03/09/2025

National selection for Nate

Ashburton target shooter Nate Woods is aiming to one day compete overseas as he takes a place in the sport’s New Zealand men’s and open teams. The 16-year-old earned selection to the teams for the first time while competing as a South Island team member at the prestigious 2025 North Versus South...

03/09/2025

All Aboard as pupils get ready to bring Noah's Ark to the stage.

St Joseph’s School children across all year levels are presenting two performances of the incredible story of Noah’s Ark to the public The musical production entitled All Aboard will stage at the Ashburton Event Centre, tomorrow at 11am and 6.30pm. It will go for about one hour and feature catch...

31/08/2025

Sylvia's life long dedication acknowledged.

A lifetime of service and faith shown by 78-year-old Sylvia Mellish has seen her honoured with a Benemerenti Medal and scroll signed by the late Pope Francis. It was one of his acts last in the days leading up to his death. Sylvia, 78, a former Rakaia resident now living in Christchurch, said two da...

31/08/2025

Woodwork skills and bonding, boosting confidence and resilience.

Boys at Ashburton Borough School have been taking part in a pilot programme which uses woodwork skills and bonding, to boost confidence and resilience. The mobile Edge Workshop, facilitated by BB New Zealand (formerly known as The Boys Brigade), has been in the school since last term. It is the firs...

28/08/2025

Mayoral candidates among those to speak up in Ashburton.

An Ashburton mayoral candidate has clapped back at his opponent's election promises: “Live in the real world, not the fantasy one”. Russell Ellis was responding to promises made by his mayoral rival Jeff Ryan at the meet the candidate’s event in Ashburton last night. A crowd of around 150 pros...

28/08/2025

Price increases, fewer fines

An unexpected $120,000 has been raked in by the Ashburton District Council for parking fines, despite a lower number of infringements. Figures reveal the value of parking infringements exceeded the district council’s annual budget by $124,567 in 2024-2025, following governmentenforced price increa...

28/08/2025

Work under way enhancing tarapuka nesting habitat in the Ashburton River, ahead of the town’s second bridge project.

Costs are yet to be confirmed for enhancing tarapuka nesting habitat in the Ashburton River ahead of the town’s second bridge project. Environment Canterbury and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is clearing three raised gravel islands around the existing bridge. The threatened, black-bille...

28/08/2025

Strong winds blowing across Mid Canterbury, trees down alongside State Highway One, near Chertsey...

Drive carefully and to the conditions!

Strong winds are causing "widespread" issues across parts of the South as a "potent front" moves up the country.