Breakfast Ashburton with Luke Howden

With a bit of perseverance, Luke managed to connect with Ross Stackhouse who is over in Melbourne for the festival of racing. And to his surprise, son Daniel was also keen to jump on the call! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught racing commentator Matt Markham for his picks on this year's Melbourne Cup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Smith from the TAB was in to share his picks ahead of the 165th Melbourne Cup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Loch Tantau is the Head of Maths at Mt Hutt College. Luke caught up with him to share some reassuring words for students heading into NCEA exams from today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Liz was in for Council chat - Inauguration meeting, selecting Richard Wilson as Deputy, the Methven Community Board and examsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Ashburton lad Aiden Rodley is with the TAB at Flemmington covering the Melbourne Cup. Luke caught up with Aiden for his picks of the day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hospice Mid Canterbury Jingle and Mingle is on SUN 23 NOV at Staveley Boutique Lodge. Tickets: $65 (from Kowhai House or Humanitix here). Following the success of the much-loved Christmas Experience House Tours, this brand-new event brings together some of our most requested demonstrations and festive highlights. A day of festive inspiration - featuring live demonstrations such as glazing a Christmas ham, Christmas tree trimming & styling, creative gift wrapping, building festive platters, making gravlax salmon, show-stopping desserts, flower arrangements crafting Christmas lanterns and Christmas table styling. Ticket also includes a fresh roll with lamb or ham, a glass of bubbles, slice of famous Christmas cake and lucky ticket spot prizes. Luke caught up with Angela and Anne-Marie to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with ring master (burner) Jay from Spicy Boys to review Ashburton's first Chilli Eating Competition at the Show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with winner of the Great Ashvegas Chilli Eating Competition Jesse Painter. He's a three-time national finalist. He shared the importance of clearing out those chillies from your system post-match... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competitor Zennith's take on the Great Ashvegas Chilli Eating Competition at Ashburton A&P Show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show President Ben Stock tried his taste buds in the Great Ashvegas Chilli Eating Competition on Sat. Luke caught him afterward to ask how he found the experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught Nisbo live from Chicago to reflect on the All Blacks win over Ireland to kick off the northern tour See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Measles is starting to spread. Health NZ has announced a vaccination week to encourage people to protect themselves. Luke caught up with Dr Laura to ask about this incredibly contagious disease and how the MMR vaccine works. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toby from RD Petroleum came runner-up in the Great Ashvegas Chilli Eating Competition at the A&P Show on Sat. He was beaten by a 3-time national finalist. Luke was impressed to learn for Toby this was a first!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's showtime! The Ashburton A&P Show is on today and tomorrow, gates open both days from 9am. Luke caught up with Carmen Lye from the organising committee to ask what she's looking forward to.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Elliott Smith live from Chicago ahead of the All Blacks v Ireland Sunday morning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dayna Galloway from The Parenting Place was back with thoughts on Halloween trick or treating See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports Commentator Paul Allison was back to preview the weekend action See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for a fun-filled day at the Rakaia School Auto Fair. SUN 2 NOV 10AM – 3PM at Rakaia School Grounds. Just $5 entry per adult | $2 per child | $10 per family. Luke caught up with Principal Mark Ellis to ask what we can expect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with dietitian Cushla Holdaway to share in some tips for beating the heat in the chilli eating competition at the A&P Show on Saturday See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Michael Croft from Specsavers for a spooky Halloween special... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wirley was back to share the damage from last week's wild weather, and an interesting conundrum she has with rubber bands... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz McMillian has named 2-term Councillor Richard Wilson as her deputy for the coming term. Luke caught up with Richard to share a congrats and ask if it came as a surprise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We didn't get to hear much of it on Seven Sharp the other night, so Sam Luddy was nice enough to record his Audrey parody of The Proclaimers for our listening pleasure See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught Cole Groves to ask his thoughts on the sale of Fonterra's consumer brands, and if he's set to make an appearance at the Ashburton A&P Show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Breading from Sport Canterbury was back in to talk the netball last night, and some local sport to come including County Athletics tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught local MP James Meager to ask about the Government's proposed vehicle testing changes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As revealed at Prize Giving last night, Luke welcomed in the newly minted Ashburton College Head Students Nate and Layla See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Mandy Mee from Methven Care Trust to celebrate Audrey Lilley finally making it on Seven Sharp last night, and the incredible fundraising milestone they have now achieved!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entries for the 2026 ANZ Business of the Year Awards close this FRI 31 OCT. Luke sat down with last year's Supreme Winner Matt Turner from Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa to ask about their operation and what entering the awards meant for him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke presented the first heated test to new Ashburton College Head Students Layla and Nate... A sample of the hot sauce he will be facing in the Chilli Eating Competition at Ashburton Show this weekendSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bit of a change with Movie Man Joe this morning as we turned from the big screen to the big stage. He has a starring role in Variety Theatre's "Rockzilla" on at the Ashburton Event Centre for three shows only FRI and SAT. Luke asked Joe what we can expect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ashburton A&P Show returns this FRI and SAT. Luke caught up with Show President Ben Stock and reigning champion Kim Reed to talk the return of the crowd-favourite Celebrity Shearing competition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sounds like Southland and Clutha copped the worst of those wild winds we received last week. Luke caught up with an old work buddy, Andy Muir, who hosts "The Muster" on Hokonui Southland to ask how bad it is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke put Ben and Kim to the test trying some of the hot chilli sauce Jay from SpicyBoys will be serving up this weekend at the Show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ashburton A&P Show returns this FRI and SAT. A new addition to the line up is a Chilli Eating Competition with RD Petroleum. From 11am on Saturday, feel the burn, earn the glory and score some cash! A top prize of $500 is up for grabs. Enter via website. Luke caught up with Jay Madgwick-Pamment from SpicyBoys who's helping bring it together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 15yrs on from the disaster that claimed the lives of 29 men - Pike River hits the big screen at the Regent this weekend. Starring Melanie Lynskey as Anna Osborne and Ashburton's very own Robyn Malcolm as Sonya Rockhouse. Luke was lucky enough to catch Robyn to ask about the filmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke made a surprise call to Fit 4 Life Manager Angus McKenzie to share some exciting news as we wrap the search for Best Gym/PT in Mid Canterbury with EA Networks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught Andrew Hart to preview the return of the R&R Precision Spreading Methven Rodeo on SundaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught Mayor Elect Liz McMillian to ask how we got on post stormSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught Nisbo to talk the cricket and the NPC final Canterbury v Otago tomorrow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Bewley was in for Paul Allison to preview the NPC final Canterbury v Otago See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught our Mayor Elect Liz McMillian to ask about the odd situation we find ourselves in - declaring a State of Emergency when she isn't officially the Mayor yet!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Granny Shirley wasn't holding back with her thoughts on the weather today!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Breading was in to share a few local sporting happenings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with local MP James Meager to talk weather and strikes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Cezarne Rogers who spoke on behalf of local NZEI support workers on their involvement in industrial action today See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Sylvia Matino from the MetService to ask how rare it is for us to have a Red Weather Warning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Winchester Rodeo is back this Saturday. Luke caught Club President Grant Kelynack to ask what we can look forward to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Peter Armstrong from EA Networks to ask how they have been preparing for the big wind eventSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.