Star Districts

GP access still an issue, says CEO

The waiting time to see a GP in Oamaru is an ongoing issue.

More surf lifesavers set to patrol beaches

Paid life guards patrol the Waikuku, Pegasus and Woodend beaches during December and January....

More surf lifesavers set to patrol Canterbury beaches this summer

Some Canterbury beaches will have more patrols this summer after a local council deemed water safety a "must-have" for the region.

Work on bypass set to start before next election

Govt promises to start work on Woodend Bypass before next election

The Woodend Bypass has been included as part of a $1.8 billion funding boost for transport in Canterbury.

Guild's oldest member a master of needle and thread

Audrey Edmondston is preparing for The Magic of Needle and Thread exhibition. Photo: Supplied

Guild's oldest member a master of needle and thread

Elegant and detailed embroidery surrounds Audrey Edmondston in her Canterbury home.

Waitaki vegetation fire 'well controlled'

The vegetation fire has burnt through just over 806ha of farmland, tussock and scrub. PHOTO:...

Waitaki vegetation fire 'well controlled'

Crews have spent the day at the site of a large vegetation blaze at Tokarahi in Waitaki district checking for hotspots and the fire is now "contained and controlled".

Big blaze in Waitaki contained

Fire crews have managed to contain a large vegetation fire at Tokarahi in Waitaki district that has destroyed 806ha of farmland, tussock and scrub.

'Do nothing' about dwindling lake - hydrologist

Lake Camp in early August when its level was down to an estimated 3.61m. Photo: Supplied

'Do nothing' about dwindling Canterbury lake level, hydrologist says

A retired hydrologist says the "most useful thing you could do is do nothing" as Lake Camp continues to dry up.

93-year-old's car stolen then dumped in river

'They should be put into hard labour': 93-year-old's car stolen then dumped in river

Bluey Duncan is distraught after his Mazda Demio was stolen from a Canterbury rest home car park and then dumped in the Waipara River.

Historic homestead destroyed in fire

Firefighters douse the flames coming from the homestead at Hinds on Sunday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Historic homestead destroyed in fire

A young couple living at a historic homestead that burned to the ground on a Canterbury dairy farm managed to escape the blaze but a puppy caught in the smoke and flames did not.

Community facility rising in Rangiora

Rangiora Presbyterian minister Rev Jason King gets the feel of his new pulpit area inside the new...

Community facility rising in Rangiora

A new $3 million multi-use church and community centre in Rangiora is starting to take shape.

Stronger powers sought to deal with derelict buildings

The old Bruce Printing building on Burnett St, Ashburton, which has been in a progressive state...

Stronger powers sought to deal with derelict buildings

Stronger laws that encourage landlords to maintain the upkeep of commercial buildings have the support of Ashburton’s mayor.

Drought-stricken farmers struggle to stay positive

'Wears you down': Drought-stricken farmers struggling to stay positive

"A perfect storm". That is how Canterbury farmers have described the plight facing property owners in the drought-stricken Hurunui district where feed supplies have been sapped bare.

Parishes look to sell off historic churches

St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Tinwald. PHOTO: SUSAN SANDYS

Parishes look to sell off historic churches

Like many places of worship across Canterbury, the future of a 145-year-old church in Tinwald is uncertain.

Waipara forestry fire expected to spread overnight

Waipara forestry fire expected to spread overnight

Windy weather is continuing to hamper firefighting efforts at a large forestry blaze in North Canterbury, which is expected to increase in size overnight.