Breakfast Ashburton with Luke Howden

Always fun catching up with Granny Shirl to ask about school holiday fun. Today she proves how sometimes it's the cheapest things in life that can provide the greatest thrills! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruce Kell is one of the "Rescue Warriors" who three years ago rode the length of NZ in support of the Westpac Rescue Chopper. He sat down for an extended chat with Luke to reflect on that journey, and how he is saddling up to do it again for Mission 2026. Luke began by noting he has some friends who have been walking parts of the country on the Te Araroa Trail. Do they travel the same track for this?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back to Mt Somers Station for Farm Chat with David Acland - Everything from a late taste of winter, to meeting David Seymour, to his take on David Clark's ECan strugglesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Dayna Galloway from The Parenting Place to talk screen time. No doubt something which is up for the school holidays... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our friendly local optometrist Michael Croft from Specsavers was back in to tell us about the growing prevalence of myopia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke was lucky enough to sit down with the gorgeous 101yr old Audrey Lilley to ask about the 101 challenge - Her mission to walk 101 laps of Methven House in support of the wonderful new Methven Central. They are already a quarter of the way toward their $101k target!! Click here: Audrey's 101 Challenge: Help Us Build the Future of Care in Methven. - GivealittleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jane and Carolyn were in to tell us about the importance of having a will, and how it provides the wonderful opportunity to be able to leave a lasting gift for our community via Advance AshburtonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young 3.5yr old Alice shares how it was getting her hair cut for the first time! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke hit the streets to ask locals whether Council should vote to spend $300k on fixing up the Rakaia salmon at its big meeting today See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenny Addison from Mid Canterbury Rugby was in to tell us about the final regular season game for our Hammers this weekend - At home Sat v North Otago. Both a Hanan Shield challenge and the chance to support the Meningitis Foundation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queen "It's a Kind of Magic" is on at the Ashburton Event Centre tonight. Luke caught up with the man who takes on frontman Freddie Mercury, Warren Vernon-Driscoll See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Man Joe Danielson was back to share his thoughts on the new documentary "Prime Minister" about Dame Jacinda Ardern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what it would take to cycle the entire length of New Zealand? Bruce Kell and his fellow Rescue Warriors didn't just wonder—they did it. Inspired by a coffee table book and fuelled by a desire for challenge, these locals conquered 3,000km of New Zealand's most diverse terrain in just 24 days. Now they want to do it again! Luke sat down with Bruce to first reflect on the first mission... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Move Well, Age Well Expo is back tomorrow in the new spot of the EA Networks Centre. Luke caught up with Lesley Symington from Safer Mid Canterbury to ask what we can expect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our local MP is James Meager. Luke caught up with him to ask about the changes to earthquake prone buildings and also to ask about his exciting overseas trip (overseas, yet still in NZ...)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the final day of Wills Month! However it's never too late to get your will sorted. Luke caught up with legal eagle Jane Argyle-Reed to ask why it's so important. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hammers Head Coach Matt Winter was back to share thoughts on the hard-fought battle v Poverty Bay, and how the pressure is still on into the final regular season game this weekend despite already locking in top seed and a home semi-final... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke recounts a fin-tastic day out with young Alice at Mid Canterbury Children's Theatre "Finding Nemo Jr"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with NZTA Maintenance Contract Manager Chris Chambers to ask about a heap of roadworks taking place across Mid Canterbury See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin Wall has been in Shanghai celebrating local success at the World Rowing Champs. Luke was able to catch him from the other side of the globe to share in the excitement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nisbo was back for his take on the big plays of the weekend See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local firefighter Steve Ochsner was back in with a timely reminder to check our smoke alarmsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Methven Care Trust today has launched the "Audrey 101" campaign. This will see 101yr old resident Audrey Lilly walk 101 laps of the existing Methven House to raise $101k for the new Methven Central! Mandy Mee stopped by to share the deets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thank you for all your votes! The Best Pie in Mid Canterbury is... Tamar Red Devon from the Mt Somers Store!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sporting Commentator Paul Allison was back to preview another stacked weekend of actionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenny Addison dropped by for a chat all things Mid Canterbury Rugby - The Hammers one win away from a home semi final, Mt Somers the scene for an U18s showdown this weekend, and a special guest visit from the Hanan Shield! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After working up quite the appetite these past few weeks, Luke asked dietitian Cushla Holdaway if there's any good to be found in a pie?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nisbo was back to look over another big sporting weekend to come - All Blacks, NPC and golf's Ryder Cup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following on from the second part of the chat, David mentioned how he met with local farmers at Ruralco. Luke noted that it's a good time to catch farmers given good commodity prices! He also was keen to know what the deputy PM feels it means to be "right wing"? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Granny Shirl was back for a natter. Luke asked if she spotted him on TV last night!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke put the Deputy PM David Seymour to the test with a 3 Pepper Pie from Harvey's Bakehouse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy PM David Seymour stopped by for a chat with Luke. It's been a challenging few years. The first question Luke had was to ask if David felt things were improving? Are we seeing change from this Government?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke dropped by Harvey's Bakehouse to discover what it takes to make a pie See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with local dairy farmer Stacey Stewart for some Farm Chat - school holiday helpers, calving and preparation for the coming A&P shows See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour stopped by for a chat with Luke. He was keen to ask about that role and how it all works... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel from EA Networks were asked to chew over three of the top pies in our search for Mid Canterbury's best. Time for the verdict... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel from EA Networks were asked to chew over three of the top pies in our search for Mid Canterbury's best. First up the entry from Sims.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Mum Stacey was back in for her take on A Big Bold Beautiful Journey at the Regent Cinema See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our panel from EA Networks were asked to chew over three of the top pies in our search for Mid Canterbury's best. Next up were the entries from Harvey's Bakehouse and Tamar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has made some pretty bold claims about the affect of paracetamol on pregnant women. Luke caught up with Dr Laura Pfeifer for her take. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we hunt for the best pie in Mid Canterbury, Luke was keen to know what makes a great pie. Who better to answer that than founder of the world famous Fairlie Bakehouse - Franz Lieber!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring into these school holidays! Ashburton District Council has launched the Spring edition of their popular What’s On Guide. 27 events taking place across the Ashburton Library, Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, EA Networks Centre and in our parks. Loads of fun and activities – from searching for treasure to racing remote controlled cars and planting delphiniums in the domain. The best part, most of them are free! Printed copies of the What’s On Guide are available at Council facilities, or you can download a copy from the Council website. Sarah Mosely was in to share some of her picks.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Black legend Sir John Kirwan is in town tonight for a free talk on mental health and resilience. His Mind Matters session is at Hotel Ashburton courtesy of Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust and Westpac. Luke caught up with JK en route to ask about looking after that top paddock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JK is being hosted by Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust and Westpac at Hotel Ashburton this morning. Luke was keen to talk a bit of rugby with him as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Royal A&P Show is back in Christchurch from November 13-15. Tickets on sale now at theshow.co.nz. Luke caught up with Sir David Carter to ask what it means to now be a "royal" A&P show...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke went live to Tancred Street moments before Bookarama opened to hear from pseudo reporter Peter Mac and book enthusiast Conrad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Currently leading the voting in our search for Mid Canterbury's Best Pie is Tamar Farm's Red Devon. Luke caught up with Richard Wright to chew over what goes into their delicacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke stopped by the National Guinea Pig Show in Methven on the weekend and bumped into an old friend he hasn't seen in about quarter a century... Our local Guinea Pig breeder Sandra Smith!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke got out to the NZ Cavy (Guinea Pig) Show in Methven on the weekend and managed to catch a word with one of the judges - Campbell Mitchell who had travelled from Scotland for the occasion! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Also on today is Ashburton Market Day. Luke caught up with organiser Carol Johns to ask about the new site at Baring Square East.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.