What's On Mid Canterbury

  • If you are clearing out your wardrobe consider donating to St John Op Shop, Tancred St Ashburton (opposite Westpac Bank). They would appreciate any clean clothing that you may not need or want anymore. Also manchester and small furniture coffee tables, chairs, dressers, mirrors and artwork. Help them help you by raising money for Ambulances & Medical Support Staff. Collection can be arranged of larger items give them a call 307 4221.

 

  • Downsizing or Moving? Whether downsizing, moving into care or clearing out a loved one's home, the task can be daunting. Mid Canterbury Hospice can pick up and collect all unwanted items such as furniture, bedding, clothing & shoes, homeware & small appliances. All donated goods are sold with proceeds used to provide support and services to locals with a life-limiting illness. Keeping it local, the Hospice Shop on Tancred Street. Contact Janis or Nicole 3078387. 

  

  • Ashburton Vintage Car Club has their Museum and Parts Shed open every SAT 10am-12pm. You can find them at 86 Maronan Road, Tinwald. Approx 30 veteran vintage and classic cars and motorcycles from 1906 to 1970s. Plus much more motoring memorabilia on display. Parts available from the parts shed. Museum open at other times on request. Phone Les Bennett 308 4705 or 027 612 1160. 

 

  • Litter Free Ashburton holds its group litter collection on the second THURS of each month, meeting 1:30pm on the corner of SH1 and Havelock Street near the former library. It is looking for more members. If you can help, please inquire via the Litter Free Ashburton FB page or simply turn up at the meeting. Resources supplied. 

 

  • Ashburton Art Gallery Committee has fundraising notebooks for sale, featuring pieces from the gallery's collection. A great gift idea unique to our area. Notebooks can be purchased through the Gallery Shop for $30, or $25 by contacting Denise on 027 408 2372. 

 

  • Parkrun is now in Ashburton. Join the fun every SAT 8am on Walnut Ave through our stunning Domain. If running or walking isn't your thing, you could consider volunteering. They need people in a variety of roles including: photographers, first timer welcome, time keepers, pre event course check, course marshals, tail walkers, report writers, barcode scanners, finisher tokens, warm up leaders, course setup and close down. If you are interested or would like to find out more, search for "Ashburton Domain" on Park Run website or email [email protected]. Run, walk, volunteer!!

 

  • The Methven Summer School - six days of lifestyle, food and art courses designed to involve, inspire and inform! Courses are now live for the 2025 Methven Summer School that runs from January 4th to January 9th at Methven's Mt Hutt College. Come and learn a new skill, hobby or craft. A huge variety of classes from basket weaving, pottery, golf, cheesemaking,and Texas-style bbq-ing. Sign up at https://www.methvensummerschool.co.nz/courses 

 

  • Rakaia Hockey Club is celebrating 125yrs and planning is under way to celebrate this amazing milestone in April 2025. The club hopes anyone who has been a part of the journey as a player, coach, umpire, manager or supporter will be there to celebrate.Check the clubs Facebook page for updates. 
  • The Mid Canterbury Refugee Resettlement programme is looking for televisions, single bedding and kitchen ware. They are also seeking more volunteers to offer friendship and assist with tasks such as shopping, going to events and helping with conversational English. For more information, contact Wendy 0272447127.
  • The Birthright Christmas Tree is now up at Heartland Bank Ashburton on East Street. Accepting gifts both wrapped and unwrapped for local single parent families or kids living with Grandparents. We have over 70 families here in Mid Canterbury. The chance to gift something special to local kids that may otherwise go without. Purchase a gift for kids up to the age of 16 (please clearly label gender and age on the package) and drop under the tree at Heartland Bank until Christmas eve. 
  • Enjoy the flavours of Methven at the Methven Arts and Growers Market. Something for everyone to sample & savour with stalls, food trucks, coffee and more. Visit for a family friendly day out. Bring your baskets or bags and stock up on all the fresh produce, flowers, breads, pies, tacos. The market is on 8 & 22 December 2024, and then back in the New Year 2 & 16 February, 2, 16 & 30 March, 13 April, 27 April. 10am to 2pm on Hobbs Road (500mtrs from Golf Course). On Site Parking. Find more at https://methvenmarket.com/ or find them on Facebook.
  • The Altrusa Christmas Tree of Remembrance is back in the Arcade, near Health 2000. Catch members of Altrusa offering $2 stars to members of the public. Once folk have written their message to remember those who are not with us this festive season, the stars are hung on the tree. Proceeds from the tree will be donated to palliative care in Ashburton. The tree will be in the Arcade each day until SAT 21 DEC from 10am-4pm. Until 12-noon the final day. For more contact Alison Quinn 308 8078. 
  • The Great Santa Hunt is on at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum. Enjoy this free family fun during opening hours, 10am to 4pm. Find them all, earn a badge and go in the draw to win a special prize.

 

  • Santa Photos are back in The Ashburton Arcade from FRI 20 - TUES 24 DEC 11am-2pm. No booking required! Come and snap your annual Santa photo. 
  • School’s Out Stadium Inflatable and Pool Movie at EA Networks Centre on SAT 21 DEC. Sessions for toddlers 9am to 10.30am, regular sessions 11am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 2.30pm, finishing with a movie in the pool on the big LED screen from 3pm to 5pm. Inflatable costs: Under five $3, ages five+ $6.25, inflatable and pool combo $8. Standard pool prices. 
  • St Andrew's Presbyterian Church is back selling festive truffles at the Ashburton Farmers Market on SAT 21 DEC from 9am-12noon. Usual flavours peppermint and vanilla. $5 a bag. Thanks to the generous support of Woolworths and The Warehouse.
  • Methven Children’s Christmas Party is on SUN 22 DEC at Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, 3pm to 5pm. Free family event including a decorated bike and scooter competition. 
  • Ashburton Baptist Church Carols in the Car Park is on SUN 22 DEC from 7pm-9pm. Take a chair, enjoy the entertainment and singing of Christmas carols. The Baptist youth group will be running the fundraising BBQ. A great family fun night. If wet it will be held inside the church. 
  • Scouts and Venturers from throughout Canterbury will decend on Staveley for the week long Adventure Camp from THURS 2 JAN. The camp has been held every three years since 1982, starting initially at Pudding Hill, but moved to the present site, Staveley Camp in 1988. The over 350 persons will consume – 350 loaves of toast bread; 1350 bread rolls; 1500 sausages; 600 meat patties; 700 ham steaks; 400 kg of potatoes; 350 kg cooked meat (beef, pork, lamb, corn beef). Scouts and Venturers are able to choose activities, from three categories; leisure; sport and adventure. Many volunteers will be ensuring that the 200 plus Scouts and Venturers will have a fun filled week including welding; tramping; abseiling; archery; flying; paintballing; water sports and so much more
  • Air New Zealand Lost Luggage Talk at Ashburton Museum WED 15 JAN at 5.30pm. To celebrate our exhibition Lost Luggage, join us for a talk by Maryann & Olivera from Air New Zealand where we will learn about the airline’s lost luggage history. They will discuss the concept of lost luggage, how to avoid it impacting your holiday, and share their tips on how to get your bags back as soon as possible. 
  • Thanks to Creative Communities, Keep Learning Mid Canterbury is bringing the dynamic Koffie from Kadodo Music to Mid Canterbury. Book your spot on the African Drumming and Dance Workshop at Staveley Camp and Native Forest on SAT 25 JAN. Suitable for all levels, including beginners. There's the chance to enjoy the forest and stay at the camp to then enjoy a Well Being Day on the Sunday. Drums and lunch provided. Book via Keep Learning Mid Canterbury website. 
  • Shear4Life returns to the Ewing family woolshed at Hindsridge Farm, 1098 Hendersons Road, Hinds SAT 1 FEB, from 8am to 4pm. Veteran shearers over the age of 50 from right across the country will take to the boards to remember good mates lost to cancer. Gold coin entry. People are encouraged to bring along some money with funds raised going to Ashburton Cancer Society and Hospice Mid Canterbury.
  • The Ashburton Lions South Island Motorhome Show and Country Fete returns to Ashburton Showgrounds SAT 22 and SUN 23 FEB 2025. Motorhome sales, food vendors, market stalls, amusement rides and more. Fun for all ages with camping onsite. $5 entry each day, kids free. Find more at www.southislandmotorhomeshow.co.nz. 

 

  • Hampstead Rugby Club is celebrating 100yrs the weekend FRI 4 - SUN 6 JULY 2025. They will kick off on the Friday evening with a catch up to share memories with those they have worked and played alongside. On Saturday, games of rugby across the grades from juniors to seniors will be held, followed by a reunion dinner in the evening with a speaker. On Sunday people will be able to watch a golden oldies game of rugby. They want to make sure everyone involved with Hampstead over the past century is invited. For registration details and more information please contact Tracey on 0274058064 or email [email protected]. 

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