Candidates for seats on Council are beginning to emerge, with just two weeks until the nomination period closes.

If you want to keep an eye on who is standing for all the different roles in this year's local elections, then head to voteashburton.nz to find a current candidate list.

To help you get to know candidates better, Council will be providing all those standing the chance to record a 90-second video answering some set questions. The video will be available on voteashburton.nz alongside the candidates' election information.

Recording conditions will be the same for all candidates, to ensure the opportunity is fair, and candidates will be invited to take part after the nomination period closes.

Council is also looking at other events for voters to see candidates in action, including meet-the-candidates evenings in Ashburton and Methven. We hope to have more details on those soon.

If you are thinking about standing for Council, the Mayoralty, the Methven Community Board, Environment Canterbury or the Braided Rivers Community Trust, then all the information you need about campaigning and the nomination process can also be found at voteashburton.nz.

Events at Council facilities over the school holidays have been drawing a younger crowd, and that has also been great to see.

Our What's On Guide was again a big hit, with nearly 500 downloads from Council's website, and 500 printed copies made available. The Matariki Escape Room was definitely a favourite, but there was plenty of fun happening across many activities and venues.

Well done parents, and organisers!