Editor's picks - What's On
TUE OCT 3
Eat Up Ashburton - Al Brown in Conversation
Al is back with his biggest and best book yet, revisiting and updating classic New Zealand heartland meals and bringing stories from around New Zealand. Join us for a drink as Al chats about the new book, our amazing local ingredients, and his cooking adventures. Make sure you get Al to sign your copy!
Tickets include nibbles, available from Kitchen Kapers 03 308 8287 and at kitchenkapers@xtra.co.nz.
WED OCT 4
David Elliot: Pigs, Penguins and Polecats. The Ashburton Art Gallery houses the growing collection of author/illustrator David Elliot's drawings. See a selection of some of the artists favourite animal explorations in his new exhibition. Runs until November 12.
Wonky Donkey: Craig Smith, the man behind beloved children's book The Wonky Donkey, performs a school holiday show at the Sinclair Centre in Ashburton. Entry is $15 per adult and child, and $5 for each child thereafter. Show starts at 11am. Tickets from Ashburton Paper Plus.
FRI OCT 6
Children's Theatre: Mid Canterbury Children's Theatre once again brings you a double billing. Two shows in one, Disney The Aristocats Kids, and Disney My Son Pinocchio JR. Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm, at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre.
Opening Darfield Artweek: A trio of exhibitions, Darfield Rec Centre, Selwyn Gallery, Darfield Library, celebrate art in the Selwyn district. Opening night at Darfield Rec Centre, North Terrace, 7pm-9pm. Tickets $15 from Selwyn Gallery or $20 at the door. Contact: (03) 318 8702.
Springston Trophy: Equestrian event at the Rakaia Pony Club. Runs until Sunday, featuring 39 teams from around the South Island.
TUE OCT 10
Embroidery: Young Embroiderer Class, upstairs at Ashfords, Ashburton, hosted by the Ashburton Embroiderers' Guild. Costs $15, includes materials and threads. Class is for kids nine and older. Contact Nola Sim on 03 308 8835.
THU OCT 12
Art Couture NZ Wearable Art Competition: Choose from five categories: students, open, here we go again, hardware, sow's ear. Entries close August 4. Held from 7.30pm to 10pm at The Vineyard at Rossendale, 100 Old Tai Tapu Rd, Tai Tapu. Tickets $35. Check the Facebook page for details.
Battle of Passchendaele: New Zealand's darkest day will be remembered at the Sheffield Cenotaph at 2pm. A Gallipoli Oak and stone cross will mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele during WW1 for future generations.
FRI OCT 13
Mini Olympics: The inaugural Team Challenge Mini Olympics – a fundraising event for Methven Care Trust – at the site of the proposed new resthome for Methven within Camrose Estate. Registrations are now open. Further information, www.methvencaretrust.co.nz... and www.newzengland.co.nz....
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.5% Yes
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13.3% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
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