Breakfast Ashburton with Luke Howden

All about the South Island rugby dominance with Nisbo, starting with celebrating our mighty Hammers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trudy Beach was the winner of the 2025 County Lions Stars in your Eyes at the Event Centre on Friday night See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are searching for the best gym/PT in Mid Canterbury with EA Networks. Vote for your favorite on the Hokonui Ashburton FB page. Luke stopped by one of the front runners over the weekend - Cilla Baker at E3 Training on Wills Street. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Rickard was in to preview the big dance including a big injury blow for the Hammers, the perks of being at home, and how important it is for the community to be there!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sporting Commentator Paul Allison was back to preview the Meads Cup final, and the heap of other sporting happenings this weekend See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The TV cameras were back in Methven yesterday documenting Audrey Lilley's 101 challenge for Methven Central. The call was put out for the community to join in a special sing-along and boy did they what! Luke was there with conductor Sam Luddy and Mandy Mee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's all on the line tomorrow!! The big dance, the Meads Cup final. Our Mighty Hammers take on Thames Valley at the Showgrounds, 2:05pm kick off. Luke caught a word with co-captain Adam WilliamsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nisbo was back to cast an eye over another big sporting weekend ahead See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Breading from Sport Canterbury was in to share the deets on a few local sporting opportunities See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Granny Shirley reflects on the loss of Jim Bolger and shares the conundrum she has around the Summer Series Concert moving to Wanaka  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sue Abel dropped by to share the deets on the Hampstead Cultural Whanau Day on SAT at Hampstead All Sports Club on Bridge Street, 11am-3pmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Blain is a local teacher, turned farmer, turned children's author! Luke caught up with Mary to ask about the fab new book "Explore with Me Mid Canterbury" and how it's helping support an awesome local charity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Acland was in for Farm Chat - thoughts on our new Mayor, changes to emissions targets, and slow to rise soil tempsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the smash-hit success of Popzilla in 2023, Variety Theatre Ashburton is back with an electrifying new production – Rockzilla! Luke caugh up with Director Jessie Thomson and Musical Director Jo Castelow to ask what we can look forward to. Find more and book your tickets here: Rockzilla – The Ultimate Entertaining Experience! – Ashburton Event CentreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For what is likely to be the last time this year Luke was joined by Ashcoll head students Taniela, Sophia and Lilly to reflect on their highlights from the yearSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Belinda Pearce from Milestone Homes was in to talk through the process of building a new home See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 sleeps til the big dance! Kenny Addison was in to share an early heads up on the stuff we need to know ahead of this Saturday's Meads Cup final See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Man Joe Danielson was back in for his take on 95yr old June Squibb as "Eleanor the Great"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advance Ashburton Community Foundation has scholarships for 2026 open now. Scholarships are available for any type of tertiary study, further education, any type of industry training and apprenticeships, and personal development. Luke caught up with Carolyn Clough and found out they expect to reach a pretty special milestone this year. For more including application forms visit the Advance Ashburton website – www.advanceashburton.org.nz. Applications close FRI 31 OCT.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 21 years Neil Brown has served on the Ashburton District Council, the last 6 as mayor. Earlier this year he made the call not to run again. Luke sat down for an extended chat with Neil to reflect on 2 decades of public life, the highlights, the toll it takes on family life, and what his next moves will be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hokonui is proud to support the 148th Ashburton A&P Show – back Friday 31 OCT and Sat 1 NOV. New this year is the Chilli Eating Competition with RD Petroleum and Jay from SpicyBoys. Luke caught up with Show President Ben Stock to ask how it will work and how it could win us cold hard cash! Visit www.ashburtonshow.co.nz for more and full programme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a resounding win for our new Mayor Liz McMillian on Saturday. Luke caught up with Liz to ask how she's feeling taking on the new job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Beweley was in for Nisbo to look over the sporting highlights of the weekend See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Mid Canterbury Hammers have booked a home Meads Cup final! Luke caught up with Coach Wintz into what is sure to be a big week for the lads. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nisbo was back to preview the sporting action for the weekend ahead See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you believe there's such thing as the national playspace awards? Luke caught up with Kieran Smith from Rec Aotearoa to draw on what they look for when crowning the best playground in the motu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ADC Open Spaces Manager Ian Soper dropped by to share in the celebration for Mid Canterbury's best playgroundSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Rickard was back in to preview the big Semi Final Hammers v Wai Bush See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Allison was in to preview the sporting action for the weekend ahead See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with James "Cheesey" Urquhart from Mt Hutt to reflect on a big season See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hammers co-captain Declan McCormack stopped by to share thoughts into tomorrow's big Meads Cup Semi Final v Wai Bush See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Breading from Sport Canterbury was back to note the busy times of Term 4 and share some of the great opportunities we have locally to get out and get active! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Wiggy to talk Mental Health Awareness Week and a great new programme he is piloting here in Mid Canterbury - Rural MATES. Something he says is much neeeded. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen as Molly performed in studio "Where the Wildflowers Grow" - the song recognised as runner up in the songwriting category of the recent NZCMA Entertainer of the Year Awards See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke sat down for an extended chat with local songbird Molly Harrison to talk over exciting and busy times - launching her debut single "From the Hillside", hitting up the Gympie Music Festival, recognition for another song "Where the Wildflowers Grow" and her big next steps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Methven Primary Principal Sue Furndorfler to ask about the new playground they are working on See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do our local kids think would make a great playground? Luke tasked Room 3 at Hampstead School to come up with some designs and boy - the results speak for themselves! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For what could be the final time as Ashburton College Head Students, Jake and Yasmin stopped by to reflect on a big year in the top job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Mum Stacey Broadbent shares thoughts on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in his latest offering "The Smashing Machine"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do our local kids think would make a great playground? Luke tasked Room 3 at Hampstead School to come up with some designs and boy - the results speak for themselves! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Archer is from Playco, the largest builder of playgrounds in NZ. Luke caught up with Ryan to learn about the fun of involving kids in the process of developing new playground equipment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenny and Kirsty from Mid Canterbury Rugby dropped by to share the housekeeping for the Hammers big semi-final v Wai Bush on Sat. Also the challenge to paint the town Green and Gold, and how you can pick up some merch at the Showgrounds Thurs night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're on the hunt for the best playground in Mid Canterbury thanks to EA Networks. Luke caught up with Ryan Archer from Playco - the largest builder of playgrounds in NZ. He began by asking what's the stuff that goes into making a great playground?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are on the hunt for the for the best playground in Mid Canterbury with EA Networks. Luke caught up with Ryan Archer from Playco - The country's largest builder of playgrounds. So safe to say he knows a thing or two about piecing them together. In this bonus part of the interview Luke starts by asking Ryan what is the actual purpose of a playground...?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Community Kate White was in to share all the wonderful local events to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. Find deets here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canbead Mid and South Canterbury is hosting a fundraising quiz night at Armadillos on Burnett Street WED 15 OCT, 6pm start. Luke caught up with Fiona Giles to ask about their creative therapy workshops, and some of the great prizes up for grabs on the night. Find more and register hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke sat down with the Facilities Manager at Community House, Robbie Ross, to ask about the exciting renovations to come and how we can support them with the Heart of Community appeal. Find deets here: heartofcommunity.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Bronwen McNoe is a research fellow at Otago Uni. Along with the Cancer Society and Lotteries NZ she has created this awesome "Playground Explorer" app. Luke caught up with Bronwen to find out how it works. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nisbo was back to reflect on the NRL Grand Final, the All Blacks messy win in Perth and NPC into playoff stagesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Winter reflects on the convincing Hanan Shield win over North Otago, and how he now sets his sights on the home semi-final this coming weekend v Wai Bush See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.