What's On Mid Canterbury

  • Downsizing? Decluttering? Consider donating good quality pre-loved furniture, clothing, jewellery, homewares and books to the St John Op Shop. They also welcome the likes of manchester, mirrors and artwork. Help them help you by raising money for Ambulances & Medical Support Staff. You can drop donations to the shop 129 Tancred St (opposite Westpac Bank), or they can collect/deliver. Call to book 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.  
  • Join the global movement that is Parkrun! Every SAT starting 8am, take a jog from 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!!
  • Enjoy the flavours of the Foothills 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 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.
  • Need something signed by a Justice of the Peace? JPs are available every TUES and FRI at Community House on Moore Street. Pop in between 12pm-2pm, no appointment needed. For more contact Community House on 03 308 1237. 
  • Mount Hutt College is celebrating 100 years of secondary education in Mid Canterbury on Anzac Day April 25th. All past and present pupils, teachers and whānau are welcome for a number of different events. For more information and to register visit the school website https://mounthuttcollege.co.nz/ or click to the alumni Facebook page.
  • Mill Creek Pony Club is again hosting its popular agria potato fundraiser. Great for baking, roasting, mashing, making into chippies... The perfect all rounder! Get 10kgs for just $20. Freshly dug and kindly donated by Guy and Jane Slater - Crichel Down Potatoes Ltd. Find more and order via the Mill Creek Pony Club FB page. 
  • Applications are now open for the 2025 Mid Canterbury Provincial Scholarship. Any student (male or female) who is enrolled in tertiary study and has a home base in Mid Canterbury is welcome to apply. There are 2 scholarships up for grabs to the value of $1000 and $500, as well as a Resource Grant for $500. Applications close April 11th. For more and to apply please contact Pauline Hewson at [email protected] or call 027 241 2041.
  • Thirty-one finalists have been chosen for the 2025 Zonta Ashburton Women’s Art Awards. The finalists were chosen from 126 entries, an unprecedented number for the event, which is in its ninth year. Twenty-five finalists have also been chosen for the Young Generation Award, for artists aged 16-20. The Zonta Ashburton awards seek to raise the status of visual artists who identify as women, as well as acknowledging the contribution women make to the greater art scene. The awards are also aligned with the values of Zonta International, which exists to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. The exhibition runs until 27 April at Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum. Vote in the people’s choice. Coinciding with this is a solo exhibition by Marie Porter, the 2024 premier award winner. 
  • Do you like helping people and making a difference in their lives? Citizens Advice Bureau Mid Canterbury is looking for volunteer interviewers! You will work as part of an amazing team supporting clients with information and advice on a range of issues. You will help people know and understand their rights under the law and access services they are entitled to. Volunteers commit to a 3-hour shift each week. Training and resources provided. You do need to be comfortable using a computer. If this sounds like you, get in touch with Sarah Clifford at Community House.  
  • Project Uplift encourages local women to donate bras which are given to women in need across the Pacific. In some cases they are also distributed to women and girls across NZ through schools, health boards and community groups. Having a bra provides comfort, dignitary and support. The bra she receives from Project Uplift is often the only bra that woman owns. Collecting both new and second hand nursing bras, crop tops and sports bras. Drop your donations to Sparrows on East Street. Find more at www.projectuplift.org.nz. 
  • Council is cohosting a free seminar about passive houses on WED 12 MAR, including a visit to a passive house in Methven. The Canterbury chapter of the Passive House Institute of New Zealand and Council have teamed up for the event, which will include information about how passive houses are built, costs and the experience of the home owners. The seminar starts at 3pm in Methven and people can register via Eventbrite. 
  • Wikipedian-at-large Dr Mike Dickison has been engaged to update the Wikipedia pages for various sites and attractions around the Ashburton district. He will host a free talk about Wikipedia on SUN 16 MAR at Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, 2pm. The former museum curator and digital librarian has worked on a similar project for Banks Peninsula. Wikipedia was now over 20 years old and had become a crucial part of the world's store of knowledge. Mike’s talk will explore how Wikipedia works, what happens behind the scenes, and what 250,000 amateur Wikipedians do to keep it alive and accurate. Also the threat posed by AI generated text, which has rapidly polluted the world's information ecosystem but so far has yet to make inroads into Wikipedia, and why the world's richest man hates an online encyclopaedia so much. 
  • Tinwald Cycling Club is hosting a Quiz Night on FRI 21 MAR, doors open 6pm for a 6:30pm start. At the Tinwald Sport and Rec Clubrooms on Maronan Road. $15 per person, teams of 6. Includes snacks and supper. Fundraising for a new van. Spaces limited. To register, email Kyle [email protected]. 
  • Sport Canterbury is hosting a strapping clinic with MYO Physio Caroline Polson on FRI 21 MAR at EA Networks Centre, 6pm-8pm. Limited spaces, secure yours by getting in touch with Alice Breading 027 232 0145 or [email protected]. 

 

  • EA Networks Centre and Wheetbix Try Challenge are playing host to a Kids Duathlon/Triathlon on SUN 23 MAR. It’s a chance for kids to have fun, stay active and healthy through a programme of participation. Open to Kiwi kids of all sporting abilities, $40 entry per child. Register at eanetworkscentre.co.nz.  
  • Ashburton's Amazing Race is back for a third year! Starting 12pm SAT 5 APRIL from Collegiate Rugby Grounds on Park St, challenges take contestants on a fun filled journey around the wider Ashburton township. They include tests of physical, creative, musical and teamwork skills. Expect a few changes from previous years. The day finishes with a prize giving with cash prizes up for grabs! Register your team of 5 by WED 26 MAR via the Keep Learning Mid Canterbury website. A portion of the $75 registration fee goes to local charities. Organised by Connecting Mid Canterbury - the charity behind Mid Canterbury TimeBank and Keep Learning Mid Canterbury. 
  • ANZCO and Workwell Family Fun and Wellness Day is on SAT 29 MAR 12-4pm. At Hampstead Rugby Club off Bridge Street. Tug of War, Sports events, Health advice, Cultural dances, Food trucks and Free bouncy castle for the kids! Also enjoy giveaways, competitions, spot prizes and free BBQ. All ANZCO staff and families welcome. 
  • A new outdoor music event: Live on the Lawn will offer an afternoon of live jazz set amongst the trees, grass and flowers at Ashburton Domain. The event is on SAT 29 MAR and runs from 12pm – 3.30pm. Bring your picnic blanket and settle down for a lazy Saturday afternoon of beats amongst the blooms. Entry to the event is free. Bring your own refreshments, or purchase a tasty treat from one of the onsite vendors. Acts onstage include The Curio Club – a trio specialising in transforming well-loved rock and pop songs into jazz; Garden City Combo - comprising of members from Christchurch’s Garden City Big Band; and Swing 42 –a group of some of our most dedicated and respected jazz musicians. On the Long Lawn (located adjacent to the West Street layby). Follow the Council’s Facebook page or website for updates.  
  • 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.
  • You're invited to a fabulous night of piping from the talented Harrison Doak on THURS 3 APRIL at Ashburton College Auditorium, 7pm start. A fundraiser to help get Harrison to Scotland for the World Pipe Band Champs in August. With an all-star line up of talented pipers and drummers from around the region, the night is shaping up to be one not to miss! Secure your tickets and find out more by searching Harrison Doak - Bagpiping on Facebook. 

 

  • Farming Families Charitable Trust End of Summer Session is on SAT 5 APRIL at Ashburton MSA. Featuring entertainment from Brad Staley Trio and Ashburton's very own Molly Harrison. Platters provided and a fundraising auction in support of the trust. Early bird tickets $45pp, tables of 10 $400. Tickets from 15 MAR $60pp. Find more on the Farming Families Facebook page. 
  • Fabric and Craft Bazaar is back SAT 5 APRIL from 9am-3pm at the Sinclair Centre on Park Street. Donations of good quality fabric, wool and craft supplies accepted. Items can be dropped off to Smith and Church or Resene Paints. For enquiries and collection contact Rosemary on 027 439 6793. An Ashburton Altrusa project raising funds to go back into the community. 
  • Methven Lions is back hosting their fundraising Farm Machinery Auction on FRI 9 MAY at Methven A&P Showgrounds. This follows the first successful auction last year. Entries are now welcomed. Printed entry forms can be requested by emailing [email protected] or phone Alastair on 027 438 6336 or find the event on Facebook.
  • Winchmore Rural Women is hosting a Quiz Night on FRI 9 MAY at Winchmore Hall, 7:30pm start. Teams of up to 6, $10 per person. Great prizes, raffles and supper up for grabs. BYO your refreshments and additional nibbles. Entries to Steph Butchard 021 124 2665 or [email protected]. 
  • 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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