Latest News
Latest news
Join the volunteer planting crew for World Biodiversity Day
Planting volunteers are needed for a special World Biodiversity Day event at Harris Scientific Reserve on Sunday 25 May.
More news
Council signals 7.3pc rates rise
Rates are expected to rise an average 7.3 per cent over the Ashburton District for the 2025-26 financial year.
Health warning - Algal bloom in Lake Hood
Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora has issued a health warning after potentially toxic blue-green algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) was found in Lake Hood.
Properties alerted to potential leaks
Council has sent letters to 24 Methven residents, alerting them to potential water leaks on their properties.
MAYOR: Rakaia township speed review welcomed
People power has encouraged the NZ Transport Agency to conduct a formal review of the speed limit through Rakaia, instead of just reverting it back to 70kmh.
Stockwater Exit update: Methven Auxiliary intake public survey now open
Council is seeking the views of the wider community on the future of the Methven Auxiliary stockwater intake.
Proposed local three waters service model on agenda
Council is proposing an in-house, stand alone business unit to deliver its three water services in the future, and will discuss the matter at its meeting on Wednesday.
CE: A walk through time, and good service marked
I had my fingers crossed for good weather on Wednesday afternoon because members of the Heritage Mid Canterbury working group had planned a walking tour.
New rubbish compactor in crushing form
A new rubbish compactor is being installed at the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park this week.
Council Brief
A weekly roundup of our top news and important notices. Council Brief is published every Thursday in the Ashburton Courier, Ashburton Guardian and on this website.
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Public Notices
Latest Public Notice
From the Mayor & CE
CE: A walk through time, and good service marked
I had my fingers crossed for good weather on Wednesday afternoon because members of the Heritage Mid Canterbury working group had planned a walking tour.
MAYOR: Rakaia township speed review welcomed
People power has encouraged the NZ Transport Agency to conduct a formal review of the speed limit through Rakaia, instead of just reverting it back to 70kmh.
Upcoming meetings
COMMITTEE: Three Waters
26 March 2025, 9.30 am
COMMITTEE: Audit & Risk
26 March 2025, 11.00 am
Council - Activity Briefings
26 March 2025, 1.00 pm
Council
2 April 2025, 1.00 pm
BOARD: Methven Community
14 April 2025, 9.00 am
Road Closures
FRISBYS ROAD
from 28 Apr 8:00 to 28 Apr 19:00
FRISBYS ROAD
from 6 Apr 8:00 to 6 Apr 19:00
AGNES STREET
from 27 Mar 7:00 to 27 Mar 18:00
MICHAEL STREET
from 7 Apr 8:00 to 7 Apr 17:00
EALING MONTALTO ROAD
from 14 Mar 0:00 to 5 Apr 0:00
View all Road Closures | Live map
Ashburton District Council Events
Hakatere Noodle Festival 2025
Ashburton District Council
The Hakatere Noodle Festival is back with more yummy dishes and free entertainment.
Light up the Night 2025
Ashburton District Council
Ashburton kicks off the season of Christmas festivities with Light up the Night. Join us for a night of food, fun and the jolly man...
EA Networks Glow in the Park 2025
Ashburton District Council
Save the Date!Glow Up Your Winter! Bring your family and join us for three magical nights of light, music, food and fun for all ages...
Live on the Lawn
Ashburton District Council
Live on the Lawn – An Afternoon of Jazz & Groove!Grab your picnic blanket and soak up the sounds of Canterbury’s...
Facilities News
AAGM honours war stories of locals
Art Gallery and Museum
On 4 September 1939, the newspaper headlines declared: “THE EMPIRE AT WAR”. This was the beginning of the Second World War for the people of Ashburton.
Pools set to make big splash
EA Networks Centre
The main swimming pools at EA Networks Centre are on track to open early on Monday 3 February, after major repairs and maintenance in the aquatic area.
Recycle a Device programme cranks up for 2025
Library
Ashburton’s Recycle a Device programme is running from the Ashburton Library this year and continuing to refurbish donated laptops for charity.
The stories behind lost luggage
Art Gallery and Museum
Whether travelling by rail, bus, ship or airline, mishandled baggage and lost luggage have always been an unfortunate part of the travel experience.
Project News
Stockwater Exit: Water balance report commissioned
2025 News
Council has commissioned a water balance report for the Washpen/Mt Harding Creek system, as part of its work on the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake.
Stockwater Exit: Pudding Hill wider survey
2025 News
Methven community members who came along to a public meeting about the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake are being encouraged to take part in Council’s online survey about the intake.
Stockwater Exit Transition Plan: First intake surveys in the mail
2025 News
Land owners who have water races on or adjacent to their property and who pay stockwater rates for water from the Methven Auxiliary Intake are receiving letters this week asking them to take part in a survey about the future of the intake.
NW Ashburton wastewater extension project moves to final stage
North West Ashburton Waste Water Servicing
Contractors will return to Allens Road at the end of May to begin the final stage of the North West Ashburton wastewater extension project.
Open for Feedback
Recently Closed
Alerts & advisories
Hosing ban for Methven during water plant maintenance
Council is implementing a hosing ban on the Methven and Methven Springfield water supplies from Wednesday 26 February to allow maintenance on one of the reservoirs at the Methven water treatment plant.
Hakatere water notice extended by three days
Council is extending the conserve water notice for the Hakatere drinking water supply for another three days so additional work can be done on the water plant infrastructure.
Overnight disruption for Hinds water supply
The Hinds drinking water supply will be temporarily shutdown overnight (Wednesday 5 February) between the hours of 11pm and 3am, to allow for urgent repairs following the discovery of a leak in a watermain at the water treatment plant earlier today.
Conserve water notices – Mayfield, Hakatere Huts and Chertsey
Residents of Mayfield, Chertsey and Hakatere Huts are being asked to conserve drinking water on various days this week.