Plants and their importance to humanity is the theme of a special exhibition at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, which will be open to the public every day over Labour weekend 2025.

Botanical Art Worldwide 2025 is the second iteration of a project in which artists around the world join together to raise awareness of biodiversity in crops that have been closely associated with humans over thousands of years. The New Zealand version of this global project has been displayed at the Botanic Gardens in Auckland and Wellington, and will be in Ashburton until 7 December.

While you're at Rokowhiria, the art gallery and museum, pop in and see the pop-up exhibition about the Ng King Bros Chinese market garden settlement. Over Labour weekend, there will be a small exhibit on display in the learning centre that will feature archaeological items from the original site, video interviews and other objects. Explore the historical and cultural importance of these special community gardens!

The EA Networks Centre will also be open every day of the long weekend for recreation, though the public holiday on Monday 27 October will see temporary changes to some other Council services and facilities.

Rubbish and Recycling

There is no change to kerbside rubbish and recycling collections and Monday’s collection will take place as usual, with residents to have their wheelie bins out by 7.30am. Remember to use your windstrap, whether it's windy or not.

Resource Recovery Parks

The Ashburton Resource Recovery Park will be open Saturday from 9am-6pm, Sunday from 9am-5pm, and Monday from 9am until 5pm.

The Methven green waste dropoff will be open Sunday from 12pm until 4pm.

The Rakaia Resource Recovery Park will be open on Saturday from 9am-3pm, but closed on Monday.

EA Networks Centre

Swim, put up some hoops or work out in the gym every day of the long weekend as the EA Networks Centre will be open as usual on Saturday and Sunday, and from 10am-5pm on Monday.

Gym classes on Labour Day include Aquafit at 10.15am, Revolution at 12.15pm and The Trip at 3.30pm.

There will be no swim school lessons on Monday 27 October.

Ashburton Library Te Kete Tuhinga

The Ashburton Library will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm as usual, and closed on Monday.

Rokowhiria, Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Rokowhiria, the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, will be open 10am-4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Labour Day Monday.

A special collection of botanical art has recently opened to the public and it features the work of artists around the world who have focused on plants used for food, textiles, building, energy and medicine. Botanical Art Worldwide 2025 is about plants and their importance to humanity.

Drop in and also celebrate the art of Margaret Trolove (1925-2025), a long-standing member of Ashburton’s artistic community. Work in this exhibition demonstrates her skilful handling of watercolour, ink and pastel in calm, patient works - inspired by her beloved garden. The exhibition will run until 30 November.

Customer Services

Council’s Customer Services counter at Te Whare Whakatere will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, re-opening on Tuesday 28 October at 8.30am. If you have a problem or urgently need to contact us, then the afterhours service will be operating 24/7 - please phone 03 307 7700.

Emails, Snap Send Solves and website requests will be cleared Tuesday morning.

Public toilets around the district will be open as usual during the long weekend.

All facilities will return to normal hours on Tuesday 28 October.