Using the dark side of the force to help others
Using the dark side of the force to help the terminally ill
As a 10-year-old, Canterbury man David Britten saw Darth Vader on the big screen for the first time.
John Cosgrove
Canty schools host Japanese students
Canty schools host Japanese students
August has been a busy month so far for hosting Japanese students at Canterbury high schools.
Aspiring cricket umpire climbs the ranks
From debating rules on the sideline to enforcing them on the pitch: Aspiring umpire climbs the ranks
Alyson Shipley had never played an actual game of cricket before she took to the field as an umpire in Canterbury. Now she's on a path to one day taking control of national and international level matches.
Santa parade on the move in Kaiapoi
Santa parade on the move in Kaiapoi
The popular Santa Parade and Christmas Carnival in Kaiapoi will be held at a different location this year.
New beach platforms open up stunning views
New beach platforms open up stunning views
Two newly constructed viewing platforms at Canterbury beaches are proving very popular.
Not just furrows and ploughs
Not just furrows and ploughs
Competitors vied for the straightest furrows during two days of ploughing competitions in North Canterbury.
Old Rangiora police station to make way for car parks
Old Rangiora police station to make way for car parks
The Waimakariri District Council has bought the old Rangiora police station building for $1.3 million.
Star-gazing festival fun
Star-gazing festival fun for families
A Canterbury school's star-gazing festival on August 2 is set to feature high-tech lasers, telescopes and a meteorite camera.
Ruby takes on big swim
Ruby takes on big swim for a good cause
Swimming 28 laps of the Dudley Park Aquatic Centre pool every day this month is the goal for a Rangiora High School student.
Major infrastructure projects under way
Major infrastructure projects under way
It is a busy time of the year for contractors in the Waimakariri District with many major roading and infrastructure projects being started before summer arrives.
North Canterbury cows take top awards
North Canterbury cows take top awards
North Canterbury Holstein Friesian dairy cattle breeders were victorious at the breed’s recent New Zealand annual conference and awards in Hamilton.
Grandmother pens cook book for children
Canterbury grandmother pens cook book for children
Canterbury author Sue Heazlewood has followed up her award-winning Tails of Tangleby Gardens series with a new cook book for children.
Four Square reaches milestone
Canterbury Four Square marks milestone
The Hawarden Four Square building has been operating as a grocery store for about 120 years - and it's still going strong.
Kaiapoi celebrates at Matariki festival
Kaiapoi celebrates at Matariki festival
A busy fortnight of events for Kaiapoi started with over 12,000 people attending the Kaiapoi Lights and the Kaiapoi Matariki celebrations last week.
Counting down to the Alpine Winter Festival
Counting down to the Alpine Winter Festival in Hanmer
The organisers of the Alpine Winter Festival in Hanmer say they have everything ready to go - and now all they need is for the weather to play ball and dump some snow on the surrounding mountains.
Heroic hounds ready for action
Heroic hounds ready for action
Finding people buried under earthquake debris or trapped in collapsed buildings is what a select group of Canterbury dogs train for most weekends.
Collective effort to keep school ball costs down
Collective effort to keep school ball costs down
The school ball season is fast approaching and parents and students in a Canterbury town are working together to keep the costs of attending the major social events affordable.
Bringing teddy bears back to life
Bringing teddy bears back to life
An old family photo from 1917 of an eight-year-old girl holding her brand new British teddy bear inspired a Kaiapoi woman to start her Teddy Bear Hospital.
Sharon has the golden touch
Sharon has the golden touch
Kaiapoi country music singer Sharon Russell was not expecting to win any glory at this year's Gold Guitar Awards.
Broken arm fails to deter Maia
Maia too fast - even with a broken arm
Nothing could keep young Canterbury runner Maia Thorpe from retaining her school cross-country title - not even a broken arm.