Breakfast Ashburton with Luke Howden

Ashburton District Council CE Hamish Riach was back in for a fortnightly chat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Youth Week! Maddie and Jenny from the Hakatere Youth Advisory Group stopped by to tell us about the excitement they have packed into the Sports Hall on Tancred Street.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's World Bee Day! Luke caught up with local beekeeper Reagan Martin from The Little Honey Co to find out just how crucial these wee critters areSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sky Tower Stair Challenge returns this Sat where firefighters from across the country tackle the 51 flights of Auckland’s Sky Tower. 1103 steps in support of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. Geoff Barr is among the almost dozen locals from Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia stepping up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Cochrane was back to reflect on some of the highlights from Saturday night's Mid Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don Geddes has been the Incident Controller for the Winslow straw fire which has now been extinguished. Luke caught up with Don to ask about the effort that's gone in over the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate White from Keep Learning Mid Canterbury dropped by to tell us about the "Getting a Job" session they have lined up this Thursday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nisbo was back to reflect on another big weekend of sportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is investing $164mil over four years to expand urgent and after-hours health services across the country. The aim is to ease pressure on Emergency Departments. Luke caught up with Dr Laura to address a common misconception - that Ashburton Hospital doesn't have an ED. Instead we have something called an AAU. What is that?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Breading was back in from Sport Canterbury to share some events coming up for local tamariki. Also how it's women's month for rugby, and men's month for netball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam McArthur takes on the leading role in Variety Theatre's 2025 production of Mary Poppins. She stopped by to share with Luke what it's been like getting to this point. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Acland was back for Farm Chat - Reaction to the news of the feed fire overnight, the preparation into Moving Day, and whether he's been enjoying duck on the menuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An extended chat with Granny Shirley this week on families and a proud parenting milestone for Luke. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dellwyn Moylan popped by to share a project she's spearheading to make scarves for kiwi war vets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke shared his review from a sneak peek of Variety Theatre's Mary Poppins. Season starts Fri at the Event Centre. Tickets from the venue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Man was back to tell us about the new flick "Small Things Like These" on at the Regent Cinema. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Laura Pfeifer was back for a chat about measles and the Community Open Day Methven Medical Centre has lined up this Sunday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steph Poole from ACADS came by to chat Road Safety Awareness Week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owen Moore was on the box last night! He featured in that Seven Sharp story about the Russian satellite bits. Luke was keen to find out more about this out-of-this-world piece of their collection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Scott McKenzie from NZTA for the latest update on the major works on SH1 through town. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke hasn't been popular with wife Amber since buying an all-in-one shampoo from the supermarket on the weekend. He caught up with Kim Reed from DNA Hairdressing to ask what the problem is?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Brown was in for Council Chat. Excitement now the concept drawings for Ashburton's new mini golf course are out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Williams from Hospice Mid Canterbury dropped by to talk awareness week and some of the great events they have lined up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kirsty Arps was back in from Mid Canterbury Rugby to share how the Girls Gala Night at Hinds went, and to draw the winner for their big Mother's Day prize! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pete Jacobs was back in to wrap another action packed GDC Wheels Week Plus. Kind of. Turns out 2025 keeps serving up the surprises, this time with an encore! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold medal paralympian Anna Grimaldi is the special guest for the Mid Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards. Luke discovered how she found athletics as her sport of choice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nisbo was back from his southern travels to look over the footy and league action of the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold medal paralympian Anna Grimaldi is the guest speaker at this weekend's Mid Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards. Luke caught up with Anna to ask about that unexpected run in Paris last year that resulted in the most golden moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something happened at this year's game of GDC Wheels Week Plus Wheelchair Basketball that even Luke struggled to believe... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dorie Hall was the target of a brazen burglary on Friday night. Theves not only took off with sports equipment and a sound system, but many prizes that had been laid out in preparation for the Dorie Community Preschool fundraising quiz. Luke caught up with Preschool Chair Alice Vanderweg to find out how they refused to let this disgusting act get in the way of a good time supporting local kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Collegiate Rugby Club played host to All Black legends Christian Cullen and Mark Shaw. Luke got them in studio to ask where they have found common ground, the changing attitude around the black jersey, and how Cully has now moved his sights to the tee block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Allison was back to look over the sporting action for the weekend ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EA Networks Centre Manager Richard Wood dropped by to talk the pool party they have planned to mark the centre's 10th anniversary this Sunday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Breading from Sport Canterbury was in to share in a local shout out, to wish cross country kids good luck, and to preview the new netball season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Croft is one of our friendly local optometrists from Specsavers Ashburton. He stopped by to tell us about floaters...  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grany Shirley was back for her weekly natter. Luke asked if she's one to rock shoes without socks, and if she's on chimney watch now the conclave has begun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spotted on Facebook this morning thanks to Specsavers Luke was asking is it ok to wear shoes without socks? He caught Gabrielle Simpson from our very own NZ Sock Co for her take. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're almost at the end of the dairy season. Luke caught up with Greenstreet farmer Stacey Stewart to get an idea of what that means and why we may need to factor in some more time on rural roads over the next month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hokonui is proud to support the Ashburton Guardian Mid Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards. Luke caught up with MC James Cochrane for a long-form preview of the awards night on 17 May, and to look over the 35 finalists named across 8 categories, covering 20 sporting codes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashcoll Head Student Taniela brought in Yr12 basketball star Lucy to talk the ripping start they have had to their seasonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Cunneen dropped by to tell us about the Collegiate 100 Club and bringing All Black legends Christian Cullen and Mark Shaw to town for a hack and a chat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Greg Cross from the Ashburton Car Club to review their GDC Wheels Week Plus Street Sprints and Motokana events, and to preview the Suzie Morrison & Grant Gordon Memorial Night Trial this evening. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Man Liam Woods was back in with his take on the new Marvel movie Thunderbolts showing at the Regent CinemaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spotted on Facebook today thanks to Specsavers we asked thoughts on the idea of banning social media access for those aged under 16. Neysa Koizumi from Digital Waitaha had some considerations to share.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A reason for dairy farmers to celebrate today as the latest GDT rose 4.6% overnight. Luke caught Ro from The Country for her take.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Jack Miller from Mid Canterbury Rugby to touch on the dire need for new referees across all grades of club rugby, and how we can help by popping along to a Referee Information Evening at the Ashburton Showgrounds this Wed night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Ashburton Fire Chief Jeff Mashall to ask what sort of animal rescues the Ashburton Brigade has been called to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hakatere Kahui Ako are hosting an maths information evening for parents at the Tinwald School Hall TONIGHT. It will look at the Ministry of Education’s new maths curriculum for years 0 to 8. Find out how to support your child’s maths at home and hear about the changes to teaching, learning and assessments. The free information evening runs from 6pm to 7pm. Luke caught up with Liz Wells to find out a bit more about it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashburton District Council CE Hamish Riach was in for a water-themed chat this morning - an update on the impact last week's flooding had on the roads, what a SABU means, and the plan for the EA Networks Centre Pool Party this coming Sun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a raging success with the first one last year, Methven Lions is back with their big Machinery Auction at the Methven A&P Showgrounds this FRI 9 MAY. It starts 11am. Check out the Lions Club of Methven Facebook page for a comprehensive list of entries. Luke caught up with Alastair Clemens to ask what we are instore for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.