Latest News
Latest news
Wastewater pipe renewal underway on Tancred Street
Wastewater pipes are being replaced on Tancred Street, between Cass Street and Chalmers Avenue, over the next six weeks and temporary road closures will be in place.
More news
Finalists announced for Zonta Ashburton Art Awards
A total of 47 finalists have been selected for the Zonta Ashburton Women’s Art Awards, which will be exhibited at Rokowhiria, the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, in March.
Conserve water notice for Methven lifted
The conserve water notice for Methven has now been lifted following an outage at the water treatment plant yesterday.
Chertsey water supply restored
Residents on the Chertsey drinking water supply can now use water normally, after earlier being asked to conserve water following an unexpected outage at the treatment plant.
Water restrictions remain as summer heat returns
Ashburton District Council is reminding residents that Level 2 water restrictions remain in effect as hot weather returns to Mid Canterbury.
Your guide to a rainy day in Mid Canterbury
From museums and creative hubs to pools and spas, here are some of the best ways to enjoy Mid Canterbury a drizzly day.
Explore the wonder of Ashburton Lakes
Hakatere Conservation Park, in Mid Canterbury, is centred around the Ashburton Lakes District and is bordered by the braided rivers of the Rakaia from the north and the Rangitata from the South.
Campaign pitches Mid Canterbury as NZ's most undiscovered destination
Travellers arriving at Christchurch and Auckland airports are being encouraged to explore Mid Canterbury with a cheeky catchphrase – Nowhere, worth going.
Summer calls for family adventures in Mid Canterbury
Summer holidays call for unexpected adventures to keep your kids entertained, without breaking the bank. It’s not about ticking off the obvious, it’s about finding the extraordinary in places you didn’t expect.
Council services over the 2025-26 holiday period
Here’s a summary of Council services over the holiday period from 24 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 – there are a few temporary changes to operating hours at some facilities.
Council Brief
A weekly roundup of our top news and important notices. Council Brief is published every Thursday in the Ashburton Courier, Ashburton Guardian and on this website.
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Public Notices
Latest Public Notice
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Council Comment
MAYOR: The spirit of Christmas is alive
It’s hard to believe that we are so close to the end of the year, the last two months have gone fast.
Cr Tony Todd: Preparing for the challenges ahead
This week has been another busy one at Council, with the breadth of Council business easily seen in the 109-page agenda of our Activity Briefings.
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Upcoming meetings
Road Closures
FAIRFIELD ROAD
from 19 Jan 7:00 to 31 Jan 18:00
ELIZABETH AVENUE (RAKAIA)
from 19 Jan 7:00 to 27 Feb 18:00
SPAXTON STREET - LILLEY PLACE - MACPHAIL PLACE
from 5 Jan 6:00 to 27 Feb 18:00
CHALMERS AVENUE
from 5 Jan 6:00 to 30 Jan 18:00
THOMPSONS TRACK
from 13 Jan 6:00 to 27 Jan 20:00
View all Road Closures | Live map
Council Events
Zonta Ashburton Women's Art Awards 2026
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
Back for its tenth year, the Zonta Ashburton Women’s Art Awards exhibition for 2026 will be open from 07 March!ZAWAA seeks to raise the status...
RAD Reboot
Ashburton Library
RAD is all about getting techy teens into an environment with likeminded people where they can get hands on experience in repairing...
Artist Talk | Kathy Reilly
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
Join us for an artist talk with printmaker Kathy Reilly.In the summer of 2021, Kathy travelled to the Subantarctic Islands on a research expedition. For...
The Great Santa Hunt 2025
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum
Where oh where can they be? The Santa Hunt is back, with a twist!Starting at Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum on December 17, join...
Facilities News
Documenting our heritage: Mid and South Canterbury photo competition
Art Gallery and Museum
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is partnering with Rokowhiria, Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, in a photo competition to celebrate the special heritage places in Mid and South Canterbury.
Wearable arts with wedding vibe
Art Gallery and Museum
The world of wearable arts is coming to Ashburton … and it has a bridal vibe.
Great Santa Hunt headlines our What's On Guide for summer
Library
Our long-time favourite Christmas event, the Great Santa Hunt, once again heads the list of activities in this summer’s What’s On Guide.
Mini golf bookings now open online
EA Networks Centre
Mini golf enthusiasts can now book a round at Mini Mid Canterbury, the district's new mini golf course.
Project News
Second Ashburton Bridge: Update 19 December 2025
2025 News
As 2025 wraps up, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what’s been achieved on the Ashburton second bridge project so far and share some of what’s coming up in the new year.
Stockwater Exit: Large section of Pudding Hill race network to close
2025 News
A large section of the Pudding Hill stockwater race network will close next year, as part of Council ending its stockwater delivery service.
Stockwater Exit: Council to consider partial closure of Pudding Hill race network
2025 News
Council will consider a recommendation from the Stockwater Transition Working Group on 17 December to partially close the Pudding Hill stockwater race network.
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Alerts & advisories
Conserve water notice for Methven lifted
The conserve water notice for Methven has now been lifted following an outage at the water treatment plant yesterday.
Chertsey water supply restored
Residents on the Chertsey drinking water supply can now use water normally, after earlier being asked to conserve water following an unexpected outage at the treatment plant.
Water restrictions remain as summer heat returns
Ashburton District Council is reminding residents that Level 2 water restrictions remain in effect as hot weather returns to Mid Canterbury.
Water restrictions in force as consumption rises
Level 2 water restrictions have been implemented across the Ashburton District, in response to a jump in water consumption and no significant rain in the forecast.