Ashburton District, Ashburton

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

709 days ago

Respite care when you need it

Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village

Respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances. From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support – whether it’s for a single night or a few weeks.

A short stay at our care centre could be a welcome break from your usual routine.

We offer respite care … View more
Respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances. From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support – whether it’s for a single night or a few weeks.

A short stay at our care centre could be a welcome break from your usual routine.

We offer respite care at resthome-level and in most villages' hospital and specialist dementia-level care.

What you can expect
- Customised care via our award-winning myRyman Care app
- Bespoke seasonal menu, that's prepared fresh on site
- A variety of activities and outings, making it easy to stay connected with others.

We've been caring for people for over 35 years, it's what we do best.

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710 days ago

The Must-Give Christmas Gift!

Christmas Box

Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, … View more
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, it will create a lasting impact that goes beyond a treat at Christmas.

For only $40 you can donate a Christmas Box to a family in need, providing not just practical help, but much deserved hope too.
Find out more

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718 days ago

Poll: Are you able to get help with your health when needed?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.

The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled … View more
A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.

The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled ‘‘On The Brink’’ outlines the urgent need to address pay parity for GP nurses and doctors, beef up workforce numbers and improve funding allocations for practices with the hopes that this makes heatlhcare more accessible in the community.

Are you noticing delays in getting GP appointments or long waits at after-hours care?

Any comments below may be shared in your local paper's We Say You Say column.

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Are you able to get help with your health when needed?
  • 46.2% Wait times are too long - It's unacceptable.
    46.2% Complete
  • 30.8% I can get the help I need, it just takes longer.
    30.8% Complete
  • 7.7% I haven't noticed an issue.
    7.7% Complete
  • 15.3% I'm happy; I have no complaints.
    15.3% Complete
3445 votes
714 days ago

How to make your own Christmas terrarium

Resene

How to make your own Christmas terrarium painted in Resene.

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

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715 days ago

Repaint a doll's bed

The Team from Resene ColorShop Ashburton

Breathe new life into an old children’s toy with a fun new look using only Resene testpots! Find out how to create your own.

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715 days ago

Ashburton’s library and civic centre making progress, on the inside, while Selwyn's new centre sparks controversy

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

There has been plenty of progress, just not visible progress.

Construction of the $56.75 million Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, is tracking along, Ashburton District Council chief … View more
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

There has been plenty of progress, just not visible progress.

Construction of the $56.75 million Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, is tracking along, Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said.

“The tarpaulins and wrapping on the outside of the building is to enable work on the inside to proceed with relative protection from the weather prior to the facade of the building being attached,” Riach said.

“While this enables work to proceed, it does mean it is very hard to see building activity behind the tarpaulins.

“Once the facade is attached in the next few weeks and months, the building will look dramatically different.”

The project is still on track to be finished about mid-2023 while the budget remains under significant pressure because of “these difficult Covid times and skyrocketing construction prices".

“We are very grateful for the $20m grant given by the Government to the project as part of its Covid stimulus package.”

Ashburton’s new building will display the names gifted from Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, alongside the words Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, Riach said.

Selwyn’s Te Ara Ātea, the multi-use community facility and library that opened in Rolleston in December last year, has been a topic of debate recently.

Rolleston Residents Association members want the Selwyn District Council to put the word “library” under the name of Te Ara Ātea on its signage because they feel people don’t know what the building is – despite it attracting over 100,000 visitors.

Before the building opening the Association had campaigned to have the words community centre removed from the project, as the Rolleston Community Centre, which had housed the old library, was being retained.

The Selwyn council decided to use the name Te Ara Ātea, which means the unobstructed trail to the world and beyond, rather than a by-line describing the building’s various functions.

Arowhenua gifted the names for the new Ashburton library and civic building, with the library known as Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and the civic centre as Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka. Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi means the storehouse of written publications, while Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka derives from an ancient matai tree that once stood at Alford Forest. Known as Hine Paaka, the tree was a significant landmark to Māori travelling through the district.

*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

716 days ago

Lessons learned will benefit Tinwald upgrade

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Lessons learned from Walnut Ave are already being put into practice for Ashburton’s next major road works project.

The Tinwald corridor will be upgraded next year with traffic signals and an upgraded rail crossing installed at the intersection … View more
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Lessons learned from Walnut Ave are already being put into practice for Ashburton’s next major road works project.

The Tinwald corridor will be upgraded next year with traffic signals and an upgraded rail crossing installed at the intersection of State Highway 1, Lagmhor Rd, and Agnes St intersection, similar to the recently completed Walnut Ave upgrade.

The Walnut Ave project was criticised for taking too long, with a gap between Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail completing their parts of the project.

Fronting the Ashburton District Council, Waka Kotahi director regional relationships James Caygill said: “taking lessons learned out of the Walnut Ave project”, Waka Kotahi is working closely with KiwiRail to get all the design work done before the project goes out for tender early next year.

“We should have full design wrapped up by the end of the calendar year,” Caygill said.

“And with all things going well on [the tender] front, construction starting before the middle of next year.”

There is no estimated timeframe for completion until the project is tendered he said.

“At this stage, you should expect substantial progress by the middle of next year.”

One change has been made to the designs from the public engagement with the Melcombe St viaduct to remain open to two-way traffic, “with monitoring to maintain that works”, Caygill said.

It was proposed for the viaduct to be limited to left-out only onto SH1 he said, but concerns were raised about the impacts of the limited access “and the way that would cascade back through the level crossings or other intersections”.

The Walnut Ave project was heavily scrutinised by the council and the community over its prolonged timing but Caygill was pleased the project was completed on time.

The community will hope that with Waka Kotahi working closer with KiwiRail before construction begins in Tinwald, the project will not take the 18 months Walnut Ave did to complete.

*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

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716 days ago

Be in to win with Southern Cross Pet

Southern Cross Pet Insurance

Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View more
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.

Ends 21 December 2022
Enter Now

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716 days ago

Is your toast safe to eat?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd has issued a recall today of specific batches of its Tip Top brand Oatilicious Toast and Supersoft White Toast breads as the products may contain foreign matter (blue plastic).

What you need to know:
- The recall affects both Tip Top brand Oatilicious Toast bread … View more
George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd has issued a recall today of specific batches of its Tip Top brand Oatilicious Toast and Supersoft White Toast breads as the products may contain foreign matter (blue plastic).

What you need to know:
- The recall affects both Tip Top brand Oatilicious Toast bread (700g) and Tip Top brand Supersoft White Toast bread (700g) with the best before dates of 03DEC22 and 04DEC22
- Affected products should not be consumed.
- Customers should return these products to their retailer for a full refund.

If you have questions regarding the recall, contact George Weston Foods (NZ) Ltd on 0800 44 96 60.

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717 days ago

Home and property inspiration delivered to your inbox

Homed

What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

Homed newsletter keeps you on top of the real estate market, takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, give you a taste of how … View more
What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

Homed newsletter keeps you on top of the real estate market, takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, give you a taste of how celebrities live, keep you up to date with interior trends, provide project ideas, and more. Be inspired to dream big about your own space - and get on the path to making those dreams come true. Sign up for free here.
Find out more

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720 days ago

Win your share of $10,000 this Christmas with Mags4Gifts.

Mags4gifts

We are giving 10 lucky winners $1,000 cash each this Christmas, to enter all you have to do is make a purchase on Mags4Gifts. Spoil your loved ones by gifting them a subscription or treat yourself to your favourite magazine or newspaper subscription.

Mags4Gifts is your one-stop shop for all of … View more
We are giving 10 lucky winners $1,000 cash each this Christmas, to enter all you have to do is make a purchase on Mags4Gifts. Spoil your loved ones by gifting them a subscription or treat yourself to your favourite magazine or newspaper subscription.

Mags4Gifts is your one-stop shop for all of your Christmas gifts with a range of over 50 products to choose from, including our popular NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, and TV Guide magazines.

Each product purchased on Mags4Gifts will automatically place you in the draw to win a cash prize - and the best part, there’s no limit on how many times you can enter! Promotion ends 8 Jan 2023, for T&Cs click here.

The team at Mags4Gifts
Know more

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J
722 days ago

Tanglewood six string Banjo Guitar, Union series.

John from Leeston

Lovely condition, taking up wardrobe space.
$400 ono.

Price: $400

725 days ago

Poll: Should our voting age be lowered to 16?

Ashleigh Ogden from Neighbourly.co.nz

On Monday, 21 November, the Supreme Court ruled that preventing 16 and 17-year-olds from voting is 'unjustified age discrimination'.

The current age of voting is 18 in New Zealand and lobby group Make It 16 have been running a youth-led campaign advocating for the vote to be extended … View more
On Monday, 21 November, the Supreme Court ruled that preventing 16 and 17-year-olds from voting is 'unjustified age discrimination'.

The current age of voting is 18 in New Zealand and lobby group Make It 16 have been running a youth-led campaign advocating for the vote to be extended to our 16 and 17-year-olds.

“This is history,” said Make It 16 co-director Caeden Tipler. “Today New Zealand’s highest court has confirmed that stopping young people from voting is a breach of our human rights...The government and Parliament cannot ignore such a clear legal and moral message. They must let us vote.”

Share your thoughts below - these may be published in the We Say You Say column of the local papers.

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Should our voting age be lowered to 16?
  • 13.9% Yes - they should be allowed to vote
    13.9% Complete
  • 3.7% Maybe - I need more information
    3.7% Complete
  • 3.2% It doesn't bother me either way
    3.2% Complete
  • 79.2% No - I don't agree with this
    79.2% Complete
3337 votes
724 days ago

Rakaia Dump Station open for business

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

You can take a dump in Rakaia again if you are passing through in a motorhome or caravan. Sort of.

The town’s new waste dump station is operating after the former dump station closed when the Rakaia Salmon was upgraded in 2020.

Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the former site “was not very… View more
You can take a dump in Rakaia again if you are passing through in a motorhome or caravan. Sort of.

The town’s new waste dump station is operating after the former dump station closed when the Rakaia Salmon was upgraded in 2020.

Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the former site “was not very user friendly” and the council had worked with the community to select the new site with a better design.

Brown said the new site on Railway Tce is ideally located for tourists and motorhome drivers being just off State Highway 1, and is easily accessible.

Local motor home owner Murray Lister said it was an ideal situation as there is no congestion or traffic, making it an easily accessible site “with plenty of room to turn around”.

The council invested $160,000 in the project while the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association provided the pre-cast underground concrete unit and signage.

The waste station is accessible 24/7 and the dumped wastewater goes into the town’s reticulated wastewater system. The site also provides access to potable water.

Ashburton’s Lyn Peterson is the chairperson of the South Canterbury branch, which encompasses the Ashburton District, of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association, which has about 120,000 members.

She said the new Rakaia site would be well used and would be promoted by the association as part of its waste station network around the country.

725 days ago

Garage sale

Sherryl from Leeston

681 East Maddisons Road Rolleston Saturday 26th November 10am household items,vintage womans clothing cancelled if wet

Negotiable

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