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!!
Need something signed by a Justice of the Peace? JPs are available every TUES and FRI at their new spot in the Ashburton Library. Pop in between 12pm-2pm, no appointment needed.

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.

The Mayfield and Districts Red Poppy Society is seeking all current and former defence personnel who reside in the foothills area. If you or someone you know now resides in the Mt Somers, Mayfield, Westerfield or Carew areas contact Reon Blake on [email protected] or 0211703715. The society is compiling a list of service people to keep them informed of their activities, and to enable a post-World War 2 Roll of Honour Board.

Braided Rivers Community Trust Quick Response Grant is taking applications now. This grant is particularly useful when an unexpected expense or unbudgeted event arises. It is designed to provide support when time is of the essence, helping to address urgent situations that require immediate attention or resources, ensuring that your organisation can continue its activities without delay. Whether it's a sudden repair, an unforeseen opportunity, or an emergency expense, this grant can help bridge the gap and provide the necessary funding when it’s needed most. Applications close THURS 1 MAY. Applications are accepted via email or by hand at the BRCT office, download a copy via their website.

Methven Scarecrow Trail - Heroes and Villains theme (from children’s movies). On until SUN 27 APRIL. Maps from the Methven iHub or Methven Four Square. Cost $15 for a map. Find and identify over 30 scarecrow characters and be in to win prizes for the most correct answers.

Mid Canterbury Anglican free Easter services and Easter Egg Hunts are on MON 14 APRIL at All Saints Anglican Church, Methven. Service 10am, hunt 10.30am. Also at St Aidan’s Church, Mt Somers. Service 2pm, hunt 2.30pm. Then WED 16 APRIL St Patrick's Church, Dorie. Service 10.30am, hunt 11am. And finally at St Mark’s Church. Service 2pm, hunt 2.30pm.

After months of rehearsals, the cast of Big Little Theatre Company are ready to stage the romantic Shakespeare comedy ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’. It’s on at Ashburton Event Centre TUES 15 to THURS 17 APRIL. It will take place in a surprise new location within the event centre, offering audiences an immersive and unexpected experience. Director Jackie Heffernan said it will involve actors from Big Little’s junior, intermediate, and senior companies. Shakespeare as we’ve never seen before. About Proteus who follows his best friend Valentine to Milan, where he becomes infatuated with the woman Valentine intends to marry, named Silvia. As Proteus plots to get rid of Valentine, little does he know his devoted love, Julia, has followed him in disguise. Tickets just $25 from Event Centre.

Wellbeing Opuke, in collaboration with Ashburton Public Library, Ashburton Art Gallery, Eco Educate is offering free craft and activities sessions WED 16 APRIL. From 10am to noon at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, Methven and from 1pm to 3.30pm at Mayfield Domain.

Hakatere Marae Holiday Programme runs TUES 22 to THURS 24 APRIL. Free fun activities for 5 to 14 year olds, from 9am to 1pm each day. Parents encouraged to stay. Register by ph 02041397229.

Methven and Foothills Walking Festival over Easter Weekend. Includes the Enchanted Forest Starlight Walk on SAT 19 APRIL, from 6pm to 8pm at the Enchanted Forest entrance. Gold coin. Enjoy an extra special night stroll through the Enchanted Forest walk along the Methven walkway which will be lit up for a starlight adventure. Easter Egg Hunt is on SUN 20 APRIL from 1pm to 3pm. Meet at the Awa Awa Rata Reserve. Again just a gold coin. A fun few hours walking the tracks at the beautiful Awa Awa Rata Reserve to find cards you can exchange for Easter Eggs! Then there’s the Family Day at the Enchanted Forest MON 21 APRIL, from 11am to 3pm, at the Enchanted Forest entrance. The festival’s most popular walk. Join your favourite fairies, and of course the troll under the bridge for a fun family day out including face painting, learning hula hooping, join a tea party and help Pirate Pete find his lost treasure. Please come along dressed up and enjoy the different activities along the walk. Find more on the Methven Foothills Walking Festival Facebook page.

An Anzac Day concert is being held in the MSA Social Hall FRI 25 APRIL, 2pm. Featuring the MSA Men's Choir and MSA Orchestra. Also special guest artist, Erin Connelly-Whyte (soprano). Free admission, all welcome.

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum is hosting an Anzac Day talk “With the Girls Overseas” on FRI 25 APRIL, 2pm. In this free talk, sound historian Sarah Johnston will shed light on recordings broadcasters made of New Zealand nurses during the Second World War. Courtesy of RNZ and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision she will play some of these 80-year-old recordings and talk about the men and women who we hear in them. Join them for this special talk and then explore the lives of four Whakatere Ashburton locals who put their lives at risk during WWII in the exhibition Land, Sea and Air.

Mt Hutt College Centennial is being marked Anzac Day FRI 25 APRIL at the College in Methven. The day starts 9am at the Memorial Arch with an Anzac memorial. Registration from 1pm, with the official ceremony 3pm in the School Hall. Decade photos in the Gym from 4pm, time capsule being buried 5:45pm. Then evening celebrations at Methven Resort. Find more and book your tickets here.

Rakaia Hockey Club is inviting all those who’ve been associated with the club to come and join in the 125th celebrations Anzac Weekend FRI 25 and SAT 26 APRIL. Enjoy a game of grass hockey, view all the old uniforms and catch up with team mates. Register on their Facebook, forms available at Adventure Sport or Hockey Turf.

An unprecedented 126 entries were received for this year's Zonta Ashburton Women’s Art Awards. In its 9th year, the 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 SUN 27 APRIL at Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum. Check out the Young Generation entries, and vote in the people’s choice. Coinciding with this is a solo exhibition by Marie Porter, the 2024 premier award winner.

The biennial Mid Canterbury Funders Forum Funding Clinic is on WED 30 APRIL, starting 5.30pm at the Ashburton College Auditorium. Advance Ashburton is Chair for the Mid Canterbury Funders Forum, which includes all of the funders in our area. Each funder will give a short presentation explaining how they are, what they fund, and how to apply. Then, attendees will have the opportunity to chat with the individual funders who would be best to apply to for grants. It is worthwhile for groups and organisations as they can save time by targeting applications to funders that they have the best chance of gaining grants from, and all of the funders are in one place which makes it easy to ask questions about applications.
Ashburton County Lions is hosting the annual Mahjong Tournament on FRI 2 MAY at Ashburton Bridge Club on Alford Forest Road. 9:30am-3:30pm. Registration just $30 per person, includes morning and afternoon tea and lunch. Get yours in by MON 28 APRIL by email [email protected]. For more you can also call 021 766 246.

Hakatere Kahui Ako is hosting a Maths information evening at Tinwald School Hall on TUES 6 MAY, 6-7pm. Hear from an expert about the updated maths and statistics learning area and what that means for your child. Challenge your thinking - what does a mathematician really look like? Discover how teachers have been learning and adapting their teaching. Hear about changes to assessments and reporting. And most importantly, find out how to support your child's maths learning at home.

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].

Winchmore Rural Women is hosting a Quiz Night on FRI 9 MAY at Winchmore Hall, 7:30pm start. Gather some friends, teams of up to 6. $10 per person. Bring along some money for raffles, BYO refreshments and nibbles. Fun evening with great prizes, raffles and supper. Entries to Stephanie Butchard 021 124 2665.

Ready to dance for a cause? The Early Edition is on SAT 10 MAY from 4:30pm to 9:30pm. Get along for a boogie at the Print Room and help raise funds for The Ashburton Benevolent Trust. Playing the best of 80s, 90s and early 2000s. This one's for the over 25yrs. Rock up, rock on, and rock out by 10pm. A joint venture between The Print Room and Inner Wheel Club of Braided Rivers. Tickets $35, get yours and find out more here: https://facebook.com/events/s/early-edition-the-print-room/1372585447099040/

Book the babysitter and rally the troops… Longbeach School is back with its bi-annual Quiz Night on FRI 23 MAY at Tinwald Rugby Clubrooms. Doors open 6pm for a 6:30pm start. Guaranteed to be bigger and better than the last with huge raffle prizes up for grabs. Also a chocolate wheel spinning throughout the night, and antipasto platters available to pre order. Don’t miss a night of great night of laughs, fun and entertainment! Teams of up to 6, $80 per team. All to raise funds for Year 7/8 students heading off to Stewart Island in Term 4. Find more and register here.

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].