Ashburton District, Ashburton

Have you got your tickets yet?

Have you got your tickets yet?

For just $15, you could win a fully furnished home in Clarks Beach, Auckland worth over $1 million. Buy your tickets today!

R
373 days ago

Waimakariri River

Ray from Eyrewell Forest

Hi All, recently went down to the waimak river on Downs road, turned right at the end of Downs road and veered right further along. Was puzzled to come across literally hundreds of pink ribbons tied to bushes for some 100m or so. Does anyone have any idea as to why someone spent lots of time doing … View moreHi All, recently went down to the waimak river on Downs road, turned right at the end of Downs road and veered right further along. Was puzzled to come across literally hundreds of pink ribbons tied to bushes for some 100m or so. Does anyone have any idea as to why someone spent lots of time doing this??

379 days ago

Is your house NZ's Merriest Home?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Many of us love to transform our home in December to bring in the Christmas spirit. But perhaps you feel you've gone the extra festive mile? We are looking high and low for NZ’s Merriest Home. Is it yours? Let us decide!

Share just one photo below of your house (inside or out) to … View more
Many of us love to transform our home in December to bring in the Christmas spirit. But perhaps you feel you've gone the extra festive mile? We are looking high and low for NZ’s Merriest Home. Is it yours? Let us decide!

Share just one photo below of your house (inside or out) to go into the draw to win the title of NZ's Merriest Home.

The Neighbourly team will choose the finalists but you, our Neighbourly members will vote on the ultimate winner who'll receive the prize of a $600 Prezzy® Card and the title of NZ's Merriest Home. So, go ahead! In the comments below, share your one festive photo to enter.

Image
375 days ago

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF SUMMER DREAMS

The Team from NZ Compare

It's been a cool summer, but hopefully, warmth will soon embrace us! We're overjoyed to announce a whopping 1100 responses from all you wonderful folks, spreading those delightful summer vibes!

Thanks for sharing your awesome summer holiday plans for a chance to WIN 1 of 2 $100 Prezzy … View more
It's been a cool summer, but hopefully, warmth will soon embrace us! We're overjoyed to announce a whopping 1100 responses from all you wonderful folks, spreading those delightful summer vibes!

Thanks for sharing your awesome summer holiday plans for a chance to WIN 1 of 2 $100 Prezzy Cards! And now, the moment you've been waiting for – did you hit the jackpot as the lucky winner? Find out now!

If this round didn't bring you the big win, no worries! Keep up with NZ Compare for all the scoop on future contests and cool deals! We're here to brighten up your budget and make things fun.

Image
375 days ago

In the swing of things

The Team from Resene ColorShop Ashburton

Repurpose an old pallet and decorate in Resene paints to make a luxurious garden swing.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

Image
376 days ago

SPA Plastic

Helen from Westland District

For sale new, as I do not intend to use it.

Price: $500

377 days ago

Poll: What's Your Gift Ideas?

The Team from NZ Compare

Not sure what to buy for your loved one this holiday season? Let's exchange ideas and create a gift guide together!

Share your ideal Christmas gift or offer suggestions for others in need of inspiration.

For more inspiration, check out PriceMe.co.nz for gift ideas and compare the … View more
Not sure what to buy for your loved one this holiday season? Let's exchange ideas and create a gift guide together!

Share your ideal Christmas gift or offer suggestions for others in need of inspiration.

For more inspiration, check out PriceMe.co.nz for gift ideas and compare the goodies from your favourite brands.

Image
What's Your Gift Ideas?
  • 9% Tech Marvels
    9% Complete
  • 32.2% Gourmet Delights
    32.2% Complete
  • 9.8% Outdoor Adventure Gear
    9.8% Complete
  • 15.7% Beauty & Fashion
    15.7% Complete
  • 33.3% DIY and Handmade Wonders
    33.3% Complete
255 votes
378 days ago

Severe Thunderstorm warning

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Metservice has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for people in the following local areas:
Marlborough, Christchurch and Canterbury Plains
Hurunui, Selwyn and Waimakariri
Darfield, Glentunnel, Hororata, Oxford, Sheffield, Kirwee and Charing Cross.
Cust, Eyrewell Forest and West Eyreton
View more
Metservice has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for people in the following local areas:
Marlborough, Christchurch and Canterbury Plains
Hurunui, Selwyn and Waimakariri
Darfield, Glentunnel, Hororata, Oxford, Sheffield, Kirwee and Charing Cross.
Cust, Eyrewell Forest and West Eyreton
Oxford, Rangiora, Ashley Forest, Lees Valley

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain, large hail and damaging wind gusts.

What you need to know:
- Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
- Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, and make driving conditions hazardous.
- Very strong wind gusts can break branches from trees, damage roofing, and make driving hazardous especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

The National Emergency Management Agency advises that as storms approach you should:
- Take shelter, preferably indoors away from windows;
- Avoid sheltering under trees, if outside;
- Get back to land, if outdoors on the water;
- Move cars under cover or away from trees;
- Secure any loose objects around your property;
- Check that drains and gutters are clear;
- Be ready to slow down or stop, if driving.

During and after the storm, you should also:
- Beware of fallen trees and power lines;
- Avoid streams and drains as you may be swept away in flash flooding.

Keep up to date with active MetService warnings here.

Image
379 days ago

Locking up and leaving for adventure

Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village

If you’ve seen the current Ryman TV commercial, then you’ve probably seen Judy rowing past the camera on a beautiful still Auckland morning.

Rowing is one of Judy’s passions, and she’s had great success with it, competing up and down the country since picking up the sport in her 50s. A … View more
If you’ve seen the current Ryman TV commercial, then you’ve probably seen Judy rowing past the camera on a beautiful still Auckland morning.

Rowing is one of Judy’s passions, and she’s had great success with it, competing up and down the country since picking up the sport in her 50s. A highlight in her rowing career was in 2017 when Judy, along with her rowing partner Alison, competed in The World Masters Games, winning a silver medal in the 1000m Women’s Pairs.

She currently holds the title of top women's single sculler in the 70-75 year age group in New Zealand and is second in the North Island for the 65-75 year age group.

Adventure is in Judy’s DNA. She’s always up for hitting the open road and exploring the fantastic wilderness that Aotearoa has to offer. When she’s not rowing, Judy loves to hike. And she’s no stranger to several hard South Island trails.

Having a lifestyle this active and busy means that Judy doesn’t want to be worrying about her home while she is away. She chose Ryman’s Murray Halberg Village because it suits all her needs, right down to the location near the water as well as all the safety and security benefits.

“It’s a lock up and leave it situation,” she says.

Click to read the full story.

Image
382 days ago

Historic Chinese market garden to open as heritage park

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

After 16 long years, the former site of Ashburton's Chinese market
garden settlement will finally open in February as a community heritage park.

Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said it has taken years of work to restore the Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement.

“It’s a … View more
After 16 long years, the former site of Ashburton's Chinese market
garden settlement will finally open in February as a community heritage park.

Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said it has taken years of work to restore the Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement.

“It’s a special moment to have an opening date after 16 years since the late Yep Ng came forward to council with the family’s vision.

“I’d like to thank the many people that have been involved in making this project come to life.

“It honours the memory of Yep Ng and the descendants of the Ng King brothers, past and present, and will be a great community asset for all to enjoy.”

Brown described the site as an “outdoor museum” where the community can learn more about the history of Chinese pioneers in Ashburton.

The market garden settlement on Allens Road operated from the early 1920s until 1964, and was the largest Chinese community in the South Island during that time.

The approximately 2.3-hectare site remains home to a group of historical buildings and facilities that have been stabilised to stop further deterioration.

A landscape plan will take several years and will include pathways, interpretive panels detailing the history of the site, sitting areas and extensive planting, a council spokesperson said.

The project was born in 2008 when one of the group of owners, Yep Ng, worked with other family members to have the settlement come under council management.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in 2013, which saw the descendants of the five original settlement landowners retain ownership and handover stewardship of the site to the council so it could become a community reserve.

A working group began developing plans for the site in 2016 and the work to turn it into a heritage park began in 2019.

The site was declared an archaeologically significant site in 2019 and the following year it became a Category 1 historic place on the New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero.

As well as a $25,000 Chinese Poll Tax grant, the council had committed $40,000 to the project that was conditional on the project receiving a $65,000 grant from Heritage New Zealand.

It only received a $50,000 grant and the council opted to fund the $15,000 shortfall in 2020 to ensure the project was completed.

The opening on February 25 is a private invite-only celebration for the descendants of the Ng King settlers and the people involved in the project over the past 16 years.

It will then be open to the public.

The Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement is a rare remaining example of a 20th century Chinese market garden settlement in New Zealand.

The early Chinese settlers in Ashburton were all male, with the first women and children arriving in 1939 when three of the men were able to bring their families out to New Zealand under the war refugee scheme.

The community settlement grew and at its peak during the late 1940s and 1950s there were around 12 houses and as many as 80 people living on the site.

As it grew, its purpose changed from a small hub for single men who operated the market garden business, to a vibrant small community settlement with multiple families and a wide range of functions, making it almost entirely self-sustainable.

Towards the late 1950s, families began to disperse and the numbers living and working in the settlement declined.

The market garden and on-site shop at Allens Road were closed in 1964, and Yep Ng and his brothers retained the King Brothers fruit shop on Burnett Street, which kept trading until 2006.

Over time, the buildings fell into disrepair and a number of the ancillary buildings were lost but the core of the settlement remains standing.

The site is home to one of the last remaining original Chinese pig pit ovens in Australasia, which was restored in 2013 with funding from the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.

The remaining buildings have been stabilised to form a focal point of the community heritage park.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga describes the site as “a significant reminder of a once flourishing business, the Chinese immigrants that drove it, and the important contribution they made to the Ashburton and wider Canterbury community”.

382 days ago

Body found - Avon River

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Cordons are in place near the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Police are at the scene.

What you need to know:
- A body has been found in central Christchurch.
- The body was located next to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in the Avon River on Friday morning.
- Cordons are being established.… View more
Cordons are in place near the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Police are at the scene.

What you need to know:
- A body has been found in central Christchurch.
- The body was located next to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in the Avon River on Friday morning.
- Cordons are being established.

Follow updates on Stuff.

Image
382 days ago

Feature wall dos and don’ts

The Team from Resene ColorShop Ashburton

Switch it up your place with fresh new looks that are high on impact and low on cost with Resene paints.

Image
382 days ago

Win a family vacation to the Solomon Islands

Stuff NZ

Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! You could be the lucky winner of a mesmerising 4-night getaway to the breathtaking Solomon Islands sponsored by the film Migration and thanks to our friends at Solomon Airlines – all exclusively for our subscribers! Terms and conditions apply.
View more
Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! You could be the lucky winner of a mesmerising 4-night getaway to the breathtaking Solomon Islands sponsored by the film Migration and thanks to our friends at Solomon Airlines – all exclusively for our subscribers! Terms and conditions apply.

What’s included?
Return flights for a family of 4 from Auckland to Munda, Solomon Islands via Solomon Airlines, a 4-night stay in a family bungalow at Zipolo Habu Resort, the use of kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkelling equipment, and return Munda Airport transfers are all provided by the accommodation.

Don't miss your chance to turn your dreams into reality. Your ticket to paradise is just a click away! Enter now.

The team at Stuff
Find out more

Image
383 days ago

Make money from your unused space

Heybarn

Unlock the potential of your unused space, whether it's a shed, garage or paddock and start making it work for you.

Kiwis from all over New Zealand are looking to rent affordable space for storage, a workshop or an event.

Visit - let us help you find the perfect renter for your space.
Find out more

Image
384 days ago

Summer Dreams Giveaway!

The Team from NZ Compare

WIN 1 of 2*$100 Prezzy Cards to fuel up your festive trip, groceries from your fav supermarket. Spend on goodies for your holiday!
CLICK below to ENTER.

What's your holiday vibe this year? Beach escape, overseas adventure, or a cozy staycation at home? Simply share your plans for a … View more
WIN 1 of 2*$100 Prezzy Cards to fuel up your festive trip, groceries from your fav supermarket. Spend on goodies for your holiday!
CLICK below to ENTER.

What's your holiday vibe this year? Beach escape, overseas adventure, or a cozy staycation at home? Simply share your plans for a chance to WIN!

Ends Dec 14th 2023!

Image
386 days ago

Poll: Are Crocs the ugliest shoe?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Crocs are a controversial shoe choice across New Zealand with some schools banning them. It's fair to say you either love them or hate them, so which is it? Share if you're a croc-wearer, and vote how you're feeling about their iconic look.

Type 'Not For Print' if you … View more
Crocs are a controversial shoe choice across New Zealand with some schools banning them. It's fair to say you either love them or hate them, so which is it? Share if you're a croc-wearer, and vote how you're feeling about their iconic look.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.

Image
Are Crocs the ugliest shoe?
  • 56.6% Yes, they are very unattractive
    56.6% Complete
  • 15.3% No, they don't look bad
    15.3% Complete
  • 7.4% I think they look great
    7.4% Complete
  • 20.7% They do so much more than look pretty
    20.7% Complete
2778 votes
Top