Ashburton 'overspending' on roads
Rates will go up in the Ashburton District, but work on the roads looks set to be reduced after “overspending” in the last two years.
Mid Canterbury
Questions over Lake Hood's future
Questions over Lake Hood's future
Ashburton district councillors are proposing to hire a Lake Hood operations manager as part of the draft annual plan, which would sink more money into the algae-plagued man-made lake.
Crumbling hall marked for demolition
Crumbling hall marked for demolition
Ashburton's Balmoral Hall is now empty, crumbling, and awaiting confirmation of its demolition.
Police continuing to investigate eco activists
Police continuing to investigate eco activists
Environmental activists refused to remove the protest items they attached to Rakaia’s refurbished giant salmon.
New state-of-the-art sound system for event centre
New state-of-the-art sound system for event centre
A new $375,000 Adamson sound system has been put through its paces at the Ashburton Event Centre.
Chimney set to be dismantled
Chimney set to be dismantled
One of Ashburton’s landmark buildings is set to have its towering 38.4m chimney shortened to one-fifth its size.
Locals fight for campground
Locals fight for campground
Mt Somers residents are demanding answers on a “rushed” proposal to scale back a campground’s offerings.
Greyhound trainers prepare to close down
Greyhound trainers prepare to close down
Two Rakaia greyhound racing trainers are devastated as they prepare to wind up their livelihoods.
Kitten with burns on road to recovery
Kitten with burns on road to recovery
Nineteen cats and kittens have found new homes after an adoption event in Canterbury.
Salmon returns to Rakaia
Salmon returns to Rakaia
Rakaia’s giant salmon statue is standing taller, shinier and more colourful after a seven-week refurbishment.
$20m for new bridge road
$20m for new bridge road
It is expected to cost $20 million for under 2km of new road to connect to Ashburton’s long-awaited second bridge.
Wedding gowns bring back memories
Wedding gowns bring back memories
From black to white, cream to pink, handcrocheted to Lady Diana-inspired, 12 wedding dresses spanning a century are now on display at a Canterbury museum.
More rescue buoys may be on the way
More rescue buoys may be on the way
The theft of rescue flotation buoys from Christchurch beaches comes as a sharp rise in drowning deaths across NZ this summer has prompted calls for more public rescue equipment in Canterbury.
Wait for new classroom after demolition
School waiting for new classroom after old block demolished
There is uncertainty about when a 1950s two-storey classroom block at Ashburton Intermediate School will be replaced after it was demolished this month.
Funding for swimming programme may be cut
Funding for swimming programme may be cut
The future of the Ashburton Swim Team is uncertain after being thrown in the deep end by the district council.
Rakaia’s big salmon restored
Rakaia’s big salmon restored, miniature version bruised
The famous Rakaia Salmon statue is due to be reinstated next week, but its miniature version needs repairs after being damaged.
Royal surprise for loom business
'Who makes these loom machines?': Royal surprise for Canterbury business
A Canterbury business was royally delighted to watch a video of Princess Kate weaving on one of its looms take off on social media.
Ashburton's first baby of the year arrived 'really quick'
Ashburton's first baby of the year arrived 'really quick'
It was a quick entry into the world for little Kiwa, the first baby born at Ashburton Hospital in 2026.
Nordic pole walking
Nordic pole walking 'out in the fresh air'
Nordic pole walking is coming to Canterbury.
Campaign to attract tourists 'well received'
Campaign to attract tourists 'well received'
A summer tourism campaign costing ratepayers $24,485 has had pleasing results, a Canterbury district council says.