Latest News

Latest news

Uphill ramp

Former refugees share journey via images

The Afghan former refugee youth of Ashburton have been working on a photography project over the past six months and will be sharing it with the community during World Refugee Week.

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Food truck operating at night

New MPI levy for local food businesses

Council is getting in touch with about 200 registered food businesses in the Ashburton District to advise them of a new Food Business Levy being imposed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Tyre Skidding on Icey road

Council's roading crew in winter mode

Winter’s arrival this week means early work starts for Council’s roading contractors, who are out applying grit to icy spots from 4am on days when ice is forecast.

Election promotion poster

Local Elections: Information session for candidates

Council is hosting a candidate information session on Wednesday 18 June and anyone thinking about standing for Council or the Methven Community Board in the Local Elections later this year can come along.

Family in front of model of Eiffel Tower

Glow in the Park visitors tick over 59,000

Glow in the Park organisers are looking at visitor data collected during the King’s Birthday weekend event, but they are already counting it a big success.

Methven Community Board members

Community board adopts strategic plan for Methven

The Methven Community Board is wasting no time setting about implementing its newly-adopted strategic plan.

Vehicle bridge over braided river

NZTA: Second Ashburton Bridge update 30 May 2025

Welcome to the first newsletter for the Second Ashburton Bridge (2AB) project.

Public toilets

Hakatere's new public toilets now open

The new public toilets at Lower Hakatere Huts are now open.

Men in hi viz

Annual Plan 2025-26: Focus firmly on core business

Council has adopted its Annual Plan for 2025-26 and set new rates, and fees and charges, for the financial year beginning 1 July.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach

CE Hamish Riach: Methven's plan for the future

It was a pleasure to be at the Methven Community Board's meeting this week, when they adopted a strategic plan for their community.

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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


From the Mayor & CE

CE Hamish Riach: Methven's plan for the future

It was a pleasure to be at the Methven Community Board's meeting this week, when they adopted a strategic plan for their community.


MAYOR: Fasten your seatbelt, stow the tray table ... and Glow

If you’re flying with Air New Zealand this month, make sure you read the Kia Ora magazine tucked into the seat pocket in front of you – you’ll find Ashburton’s big Glow in the Park event on one of the pages.


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Upcoming meetings

Council

18 June 2025, 1.00 pm


Stockwater Transition Working Group

24 June 2025, 12.00 am


COMMITTEE: Three Waters

25 June 2025, 10.30 am


COMMITTEE: Audit & Risk

25 June 2025, 1.00 pm


ADVISORY GROUP: Biodiversity

4 August 2025, 1.00 pm


Road Closures

NICHOLSON STREET

from 9 Jun 7:00 to 25 Jul 18:00


WILLS STREET

from 6 Jun 19:00 to 6 Jun 21:30


TREVORS ROAD

from 7 Apr 7:00 to 27 Jun 18:00


KING STREET, ALEXANDER STREET

from 3 Feb 6:00 to 13 Sep 18:00


View all Road Closures | Live map

What's On

Check out what’s on in our facilities.


Ashburton District Council Events

Hakatere Noodle Festival 2025

Ashburton District Council

The Hakatere Noodle Festival is back with more yummy dishes and free entertainment.

Light up the Night 2025

Ashburton District Council

Ashburton kicks off the season of Christmas festivities with Light up the Night. Join us for a night of food, fun and the jolly man...

Active Adventures

EA Networks Centre

A child led, parent supervised session for toddlers age 1-5 to play and explore their gross motor skills using a range of soft play equipment...

Little Splashers

EA Networks Centre

Join us for Little Splashers- a session where you and your Little Splasher have the opportunity to explore the world of water in a parent...

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Facilities News

Plans approved for mini golf course

EA Networks Centre

The final concept designs for the new 18-hole mini golf course at EA Networks Centre have been signed off by Mayor Neil Brown, with a November opening date pencilled in for the project.

Art curator hangs artwork

Art shows combine for reopening night

Art Gallery and Museum

The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum has been a whirlwind of activity leading up to the opening of four new exhibitions this Saturday evening.

Aerial view of sports centre

EA Networks Centre celebrates 10 years with free activities for the community

EA Networks Centre

EA Networks Centre is planning a fun day of free community activities to celebrate its 10th birthday on Sunday 11 May.

Children colouring in

Fun factor high at Council facilities over holidays

Library

Council’s community facilities were inundated over the school holidays by hundreds of youngsters taking part in activities ranging from Easter egg hunts and inflatable pool play to 3D printing and making colourful, fluorescent lei.

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Project News

Stockwater race

Drop-in sessions for stockwater exit work

2025 News

Council is holding two drop-in sessions for the public to be part of the discussion about the future of Bushside and Stoney Creek stockwater intakes.

Stockwater race

Stockwater Exit: Bushside Intake public survey open

2025 News

Council is seeking the views of the wider community on the future of the Bushside stockwater intake.

Stockwater race

Stockwater Exit: Water balance report commissioned

2025 News

Council has commissioned a water balance report for the Washpen/Mt Harding Creek system, as part of its work on the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake.

Man speaks to meeting

Stockwater Exit: Pudding Hill wider survey

2025 News

Methven community members who came along to a public meeting about the future of the Pudding Hill stockwater intake are being encouraged to take part in Council’s online survey about the intake.

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Tenders

Portal used for advertising tenders and other commissioning requirements to the market. All processes through to contract award stage are manage in Tenderlink.

Open for Feedback

House drawn on Post-it Note

Resource Management Notifications

From December 1, 2031 to December 1 2031

Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy

From May 26, 2025 to June 18 2025

Recently Closed

Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw Review

From August 28, 2024 to September 29 2024

Representation Review Initial (Draft) Proposal

From June 13, 2024 to July 21 2024

Draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034

From March 27, 2024 to April 28 2024

View all consultations

Alerts & advisories

Small brick block building

Hinds water treatment plant upgraded

New filtration and UV disinfection equipment at the Hinds water treatment plant will be commissioned this week, with no disruption for those connected to the township’s supply.

Aerial shot of water plant

Hosing ban for Methven during water plant maintenance

Council is implementing a hosing ban on the Methven and Methven Springfield water supplies from Wednesday 26 February to allow maintenance on one of the reservoirs at the Methven water treatment plant.

Holiday homes

Hakatere water notice extended by three days

Council is extending the conserve water notice for the Hakatere drinking water supply for another three days so additional work can be done on the water plant infrastructure.

Overnight disruption for Hinds water supply

The Hinds drinking water supply will be temporarily shutdown overnight (Wednesday 5 February) between the hours of 11pm and 3am, to allow for urgent repairs following the discovery of a leak in a watermain at the water treatment plant earlier today.

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