What's On Mid Canterbury

  • The Ashburton Kidney Society is holding their 2026 AGM, and the community is warmly invited to come along and learn more about the important work they do supporting people and families facing kidney health issues. It’s happening 7pm WED 13 MAY at the St John’s Rooms, 241 Tancred Street. There’ll be a guest speaker – a nutritionist, plus supper provided, making it a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and find out more about kidney health and local support services. With kidney health concerns on the rise and more pressure on resources across the country, awareness and support groups like this are more important than ever. Everyone is welcome. For more information, check out their Facebook page – just search Ashburton Kidney Society. Or email ashburtonkidneysociety@gmail.com. 
  • The Lions Club of Methven invites you to their Machinery Auction on FRI 15 MAY, from 11am at the Methven A & P Showgrounds. This popular auction features a wide range of machinery and gear, including fencing equipment, headers, mowers, motorbikes, a spreader, cultivation gear, a tractors, baler and wrapper — with more entries added right up until auction day. It’s a great chance to pick up quality gear, enjoy a BBQ and a few beers, have a chat with locals, and support Lions projects within the community. An inventory list will be published in The Courier, The Snowfed, and on the Methven Lions Machinery Auction Facebook event page during the week prior to the auction. Please note entries are still open, with forms available via the Facebook event, or by email to lionsmachineryauction@gmail.com.  
  • Allenton Sports Club is celebrating 100 years. The constituents of the club are bowls, croquet and tennis. Events running the weekend FRI 15 and SAT 16 MAY. Friday night is an open night whereby people come along and enjoy a fun night, meet our guests, Jo Edwards and Val Smith and enjoy some finger food. Open to all from 5.00pm. Saturday is the club's formal celebration night with a dinner, guest speakers, Jo Edwards & Val Smith (former NZ Blackjacks), music and entertainment. Tickets $50.00 per person. Doors open at 4.30pm. Enquiries to allentonsportsclub@gmail.com or contact Craig Harrison 0273203435.  
  • After the success of Ashburton's first Fix It Fairs last year, Ashburton Library and Keep Learning Mid Canterbury are teaming up to run another one SAT 16 MAY. Pop along to the Library between 10:30am and 12:30pm, and speak with volunteers from local community groups on how to to fix your items. CanBead will be on hand with all the tools needed to fix jewellery. They can help with things like fixing clasps and shortening. SeniorNet will be there to fix gaps in your knowledge when it comes to working out how to use your phone, tablet or other digital device. Menzshed members can assess your items and show you what types of things they can fix down at the Menzshed, where they have all the equipment to fix almost anything! Mid Canterbury TimeBank members and friends will be available to mend or alter your clothing so you can get more years of wear out of it, e.g. fix missing buttons, tears, holes, hemming. A grea chance to reduce things being 'thrown away' into landfill. The Fair is a free event, but koha is gratefully accepted.  
  • Rural Support Mid Canterbury is serving up a great afternoon with Tennis for Farmers, on SUN 17 MAY from 3 till 7pm at the Ashburton Trust Tennis Centre. This is a relaxed, social event open to all abilities — whether you’re a seasoned player or just keen for a hit. There’ll be a BBQ dinner, plenty of spot prizes, and a wellbeing guest speaker panel featuring Doug Avery, Dan Smith, and Cole Groves. It’s a great chance to unwind, connect with others, and take a break off the farm. To get involved, simply RSVP by emailing tennisforfarmers@outlook.com. 
  • Hundreds of birds will be on show as the Ashburton Bird Club Show hosts its Annual Show this weekend. The show is in the Tinwald Memorial Hall on Graham St SAT 16 and SUN 17 MAY, from 12pm to 4pm, and 9am to 11am respectively. Expect between 500 to 600 exhibit birds on show, as well as seed for sale. Exhibitors would come from as far afield as Dunedin and Nelson. There will also be raffles. Entry just $2.  
  • Rokowhiria, Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taongaare presents ‘‘Documenting our Heritage”. Photos taken for their competition showcasing heritage sites in Mid and South Canterbury, beginning at 5.30pm. Exhibition runs until SUN 17 MAY.
  • Two international astronomers will be in town this month to speak at two public meetings hosted by the Ashburton Astronomy Club. Dr Martin George will speak on ‘brilliancies, blunders, or just plain luck’ on MON 18 MAY, where he will discuss a selection of great moments in astronomy and space endeavours, and contrast these with some blunders over the years. Then Professor Wayne Orchiston will speak on Meteorites of New Zealand on SAT 23 MAY. Both talks are at Ashburton Christian School at 7.30pm and open to the public to attend, at a cost of $5 per person each night. 
  • Put your thinking cap on and support future rugby stars at the JAB Rugby Quiz Night, hosted by the Mid‑Canterbury Rugby Union. WED 20 MAY at Hotel Ashburton, with doors opening at 5.30pm.  Teams of up to five, entry $100 per team, plus prizes, raffles, and an auction on the night. Register your team by phone or text to 027 222 9338.  
  • The Rakaia community will celebrate its sporting elite this month with the Rakaia Sports Awards on WED 20 MAY. The awards happen every two years, and will be held at the Rakaia Recreation Centre. Guest speaker is former Rakaia sportsperson of the year, Kyle Gray. He was a New Zealand representative at Cycle Age Grade World Championships. Tickets for the event are on sale now. 
  • Join Ashburton Scout Group for a Jamboree Bingo Fundraiser Night on FRI 22 MAY. An exciting evening of bingo, raffles, prizes, and great company. For just $20, you’ll enjoy 20 rounds of bingo (2 cards), plus silent rounds and super prize games, with plenty of chances to win big. Pre-order a platter to share (small $20, large $40), and enjoy additional food, drinks, raffles, and extra bingo sheets available for purchase on the night. At Mania-O-Roto Scout Park, Chalmers Ave. Doors open 6pm. Please note this is a 18+ event (EFTPOS available, no cash prizes). All proceeds go toward helping our scouts get to Jamboree camp in Hamilton—so bring your friends and make a night of it! Email jamboreefundraising4@gmail.com or call Russell 027 254 5122.  
  • Friends of Methven Primary School is hosting a fundraiser of “The Bitches Box - Episode 4” on SAT 23 MAY at Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, Methven. From 5:30pm. A Night of fun, laughter and drinks + an Auction of Promises. First time EVER in Methven — so rally your crew and lock in your tickets now! Find more and book here.  

  • Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club and Hinds each have their annual ploughing matches this month. The vintage machinery club at Paton’s property on Wakanui School Rd on SAT 23 MAY, and Hinds at the Lowe property 815 Winslow Rd, Hinds on SUN 24 MAY. Both events start at 10.30am. Spectators welcome.

  • Tinwald Garden Club’s next meeting is THURS 28 MAY, 2pm. At the Hall the corner of Grahams Road and Thomson Street. Raffles, speeches, displays. All visitors very welcome.  
  • Celebrating 150 years of education in the Foothills area over King’s Birthday Weekend, SAT 30 and SUN 31 MAY. All past and present students, teachers, principals, staff, and committee members from Mt Somers Springburn, Mt Somers, Springburn, Alford Forest, and Bushside Schools are warmly invited to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate shared schooling history. Saturday will include a meet and greet, light lunch, decade photos. In the evening a dine and dance will be held at the Hotel Ashburton. Then on Sunday, the Mt Somers & Staveley Museum and the old school house will be open for viewing before a sausage sizzle at the Mt Somers Rugby Club clubrooms. They are hoping for a crowd of around 150, with registrations coming from as far away as the United Kingdom, Australia and the North Island. Registrations are now closed. Enquiries to Max Alexander – 027 211 8960.
  • Nominations are being sought for the arable industry’s best and brightest for the annual industry awards. Now held every second year, he seven open categories are; Maize Grower of the Year; Cereal Grower of the Year; Seed Grower of the Year; Agronomist of the Year; Innovation; Positive Environmental Impact; Working Together. The 2025-26 season wasn’t the easiest, with weather issues including wet conditions during harvest in some regions, but this doesn’t diminish growers’ skills and effort. New Zealand grain and seed growers are some of the best in the world, and now it’s time to celebrate them. Nominations for the seven categories close MON 1 JUN, via the website, www.arableawards.co.nz. The Arable Farmer of the Year is selected from the three grower awards winners - cereal, seed and maize - while inductees to the Arable Hall of Fame are chosen by the awards’ organising committee. Tickets for the awards dinner, at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, on August 20, are also available now from the awards website. 
  • Get your team together for a night of fun, facts and fabulous outfits at The Big Dress‑Up Quiz! Hosted by Connecting Mid Canterbury, this lively quiz night invites teams to pick a theme, dress the part and bring their best brains. On FRI 5 JUN at the Ashburton Seniors Centre, 206 Cameron Street. Doors open at 5:30pm, with the quiz kicking off at 6:30pm. Teams of six people can enter for $15 per person. Expect a great night out, with prizes for the best dressed team and top quiz scorers, plus raffles and spot prizes. Supper is provided, and it’s BYO drinks. All funds raised support the charities Keep Learning Mid Canterbury and MC TimeBank, helping strengthen learning and community connections across the region. Book in by email to Kate@connectingmc.org 
  • CanBead Mid and South Canterbury are calling for stallholders for their fundraising artisan market. The event, at the Tinwald Hall, on Graham St, is an annual fundraiser for the illness, trauma and loss support group. It is on SUN 14 JUN from 11am to 3pm. To book a $40 site email charlene@caninspire.org.nz 
  • Get ready for a magical mid‑winter night at the Mt Somers Winter Ball. It’s back SAT 20 JUN at the Mt Somers Memorial Hall, 64 Hoods Road. Doors open from 8pm, with live music from Nick & Dan, a sparkles theme, and a great night of dancing guaranteed. Tickets are $70, with supper provided, a cash bar available, and no BYO. This is an R18 event and always a popular night out on the Mt Somers social calendar. Enquiries & tickets via Mt Somers Winter Ball organisers / Mt Somers Store.  

  

ONGOING

  • Ashburton Writers’ Group members have put together their second anthology of interesting tales. It’s called Group Therapy: The Sequel. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to Mid Canterbury Riding for the Disabled. The anthology showcased the ‘‘wonderful and wide-ranging pieces’’ of members, as well as short stories from the top three writers in each category of the annual Ashburton short story competition. Writers’ group members were encouraged to submit their best story or two from topics given at meetings during the year for inclusion in the book. Nine members took up the challenge and submitted 31 stories, each up to 500 words. Youngest member Meghan Nish, 14, also illustrated the front cover. The group did their first anthology about five years ago, and following its success decided to repeat the process. Group Therapy: The Sequel costs $20 per book and can be purchased via the Ashburton Writer’s Group Facebook page or via Nigel Dean on 027 232 8174. 
  • Hotel Ashburton has a new card group. You're welcome to come along every TUES for 500 and Euchre, starting 1:30pm. Entry $3. Cards and Board Games on FRI starting 1:30pm, gold coin donation. You're welcome to join a lunch held beforehand. Then FRI evenings join in fun Housie. Doors open 6:30pm, first call 7:15pm. Cards from $2. 
  • 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. 
  • Kai's Up offers a free meal for anyone - no judgement, no criteria. Every THURS (yes, even in the rain), 6pm in The Catholic Church carpark, corner of Havelock and Park Street. Feel free to bring your own containers. Meal, hot/cold drink, sweet treat provided. Stick around and eat on site, or bring your own container and take home to eat. Families welcome. Thank you to all the volunteers behind the scenes that make this happen. Follow Kai’s Up on FB.

 

  • 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 ashburtondomain@parkrun.com. 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. 

  • Mid Canterbury Citizens Advice Bureau is now offering drop-in sessions at the Ashburton Library every WED from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

  • Need help with your phone,tablet, laptop or other digital devices? Ashburton District Council has friendly digi coaches back at the Ashburton Library. Whether it's setting up an app,troubleshooting a tech issue, or learning something new, come in and sit down with a digi coach. They are available Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 1-3pm. No booking needed, just drop in.

 

  • Need a van? Does your sports club, dance club, social club or school go on trips or outings as a group, and you would like to travel together? Community House has a 12 seater van available for hire. For more details or to book please visit the website https://www.communityhousemc.co.nz. You can also give them a call 03 308 1237, or email reception@communityhousemc.co.nz. 
  • Hampstead Sports Club is back hosting Housie! Come along for a night of fun, laughs, and the chance to win some great prizes. On every TUES, doors open at 6:30pm, with Housie starting 7pm. At Hampstead Sports Club off Bridge Street. New faces are always welcome — it’s a great way to catch up with friends and start the year with a bit of excitement. Don’t miss out — fun, prizes, and laughter guaranteed! Find more on the Hampstead Sports Club NZ Facebook page.
  • Rakaia Sunday Market and "Art & All" museum and antiques is on every first and third SUN of the month (weather permitting). On the corner of Railway Tce West & Rolleston Street - Near the dog park. 10am-3pm. Plenty of parking. Please bring  cash, although there is some EFTPOS available. Food, entertainment, arts &crafts, farm fresh meat, baking, plants & compost and fishing gear all on offer. If you wish to sell - single stall $20, double $40. Food vendors also welcome. To find out more and book your spot call 0224192781.

  • Citizens Advice Bureau Mid Canterbury are celebrating having 500 entries in their community directory.It’sa free resource for people who are looking for information and groups within the district from starting a new sport or hobby, hire a hall for an event or need support from a social service. Access via ashburton.cab.org.nz

  • A flood warning text-alert service is available in Ashburton, giving residents early notice when rivers start to rise and there is a risk of flooding. Canterbury Regional Councilsaysthe system – available on 12 river floodplains across the region – provided a crucial extra layer of early warning and can make a life-changing difference for people living or working near rivers.These text alerts give people precious time to prepare – time to move stock, shift equipment, protect property, and keep their families safe.The free opt-in service sends automated text messages when river flows reach thresholds that may result in flooding. Residents can sign up by texting the relevant river name to 3730. When the selected river reaches a critical flow threshold, subscribers receive an early-warning text. To opt out, text cancel to 3730.

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