Breakfast Ashburton with Luke Howden

Jarrod Ross stopped by to talk the Mid Canterbury Combined First XV (Spartans). Also to celebrate the recent success of the Ashburton College rowers at the Maadi Cup, and how we can support rowing at the comedy Open Mic night at Tinwald School this coming Saturday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Friday Luke catches up with the voice of rugby, Grant Nisbett, to cast an eye over the sporting weekend ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Road works aplenty across Mid Canterbury at the moment! And starting Monday, NZTA will start re-sealing work on SH1 through Ashburton township. Luke caught up with Acting Systems Manager Scott McKenzie to ask about the big job ahead, and what drivers need to keep in mind for coming weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrating 50yrs of the blue trucks! Philip Wareing Ltd has grown to be a real Mid Canterbury icon. Luke caught up with the man himself, Philip Wareing, to talk humble beginnings, and the plan to party this weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Friday Luke catches up with commentator Paul Allison to look over the sporting action for the weekend ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 14yrs serving on the board of Mid Canterbury Rugby, Ged Rushton has stepped down. Luke pulled Ged into the studio to reflect on his time, and the state of the game in our community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Thursday morning Luke catches up with a local grower for some Farm Chat. Today it was Jonaton Hoets to talk the South Island Dairy Event, and if he's nervous ahead of Trump's tariff announcement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head students Jordan and Estella were back in from Mt Hutt College to share the exciting plans for centenary celebrations coming up Fri 15 April. Find more here: https://mounthuttcollege.co.nz/alumniSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's always fun checking in with our favourite Granny Shirley! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mid Canterbury Choir is hosting a variety concert this SUN 6 APRIL. The Tribute to Easter and Anzac Show will be in the Methodist Church at Baring Square, 2pm start. Featuring special guests organist Stephen Diedricks, and soprano Sarah-­Jane Rennie. Carol Gunn dropped by to share the gameplan with us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Thursday we catch Alice Breading from Sport Canterbury for a local wrap. On today's agenda: Reflecting on last week's Summer Tournament success, an option to get kids on the bike these coming school holidays, and a special shout out to a badminton stalwart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local Piper Harrison Doak is off to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in August. That requires a bit of moolah, so he's busy fundraising. Harrison joined Luke this morning to talk some of the events coming up including a variety concert, a whisky tasking, a pie sale, and even performed for us live! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lions Clubs Cancer Trust Mobile Screening Unit has hit the road here in the South Island. The bus will provide FREE skin cancer screening for kiwis, and the best part - It was built right here in Ashburton by BT CoachBuilders. Jo and Brendon dropped by to share with Luke how the project came to be, and the incredible showing of support to make it happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Man Liam Woods was back in studio talking the latest offering at the Regent Cinema - A Working Man, starring Jason Statham. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frances and Jayne stopped by to tell us about the Farming Families End of Summer Session. While here, Luke also wanted to ask Frances about the Rural Women Cook and Eat School Holiday Programme. Registrations close next FRI 11 APRIL. Find more on the Mid Canterbury Rural Women Facebook page, or call Jill 033026817. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farming Families Charitable Trust End of Summer Session is on this SAT 5 APRIL at Ashburton MSA. Featuring entertainment from Brad Staley Trio and Ashburton's very own Molly Harrison. Tickets just $45pp. Find more on the Farming Families Facebook page. Luke caught up with Frances and Jayne for a final reminder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Dalley and Wade Bell host a podcast called Feed for Thought. They have also teamed up with Pioneer Brand Products for a Rural Roadie, helping farmers discover profitable use of maize silage and the efficiencies in farm feeding systems. Luke caught Matt to ask about their Mid Canterbury stop. Please note: When they reference "tomorrow" they mean this coming Thursday. Event details below.  Thursday 3 April - 10:30AM - 12:30PM: Making milk from maizeJoin Matt and Wade for a discussion on how Jayson and Clare Nish utilise 12ha of homegrown maize to support their 625 cows at key points of the season. Lunch is on them. Location: 1611 State Highway 77, Lauriston 7776See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every fortnight Luke catches up with Ashburton Council boss Hamish Riach. This morning he was keen to clarify if the story in the Ashburton Guardian about pay-per-use public toilets was truthful, or tomfoolery. Sneaky Luke then had an April Fools gag of his own to surprise Hamish with... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hadyn Jones from Mr Jones and Tees was good enough to play along with our April Fools gag this morning. Eventually we had to come clean...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nominations for the Mid Canterbury Sports Awards close TONIGHT. Luke caught up with MC and former Supreme Winner James Cochrane to ask how we go about nominating someone we know. Find more here: https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/getting-active/mid-canterbury-sports-awardsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aorangi Young Farmer Regional Final was held across the Ashburton Showgrounds and Hotel Ashburton on Saturday. For the second year in a row, Gareth McKerchar from Pleasant Point has booked himself a spot at the national final. Also joining him in Invercargill in July is Leo Acland & Charlie Clark who won the Junior Young Farmer competition, and The Hinds Hustlers – Ebony Groves, James Sheppard & Ollie Morten from Hinds School in the AgriKids. Luke caught up with voice of the competition Te Radar to ask just how close it was in the end between Gareth and Jack Taggart from Hinds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Monday Luke catches up with sporting commentator Grant Nisbett to look back on weekend sport. This morning they tried to make sense of Moana Pacifika's win over the Crusaders, and Ryan Fox hoping for a ticket to the Masters from the Houston Open. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The national secondary school rowing regatta, the Maadi Cup, was held last week on Lake Karapiro near Cambridge. Ashburton College had a 9-strong team there, coached by Justin Wall. Luke caught up with Justin to ask how they got on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Battle of the Alps is a corporate fight night back at Mt Hutt Memorial Hall in Methven next Fri 11 April. For a taste of what to expect, Luke was invited along to a sparring session. He caught up with first time fighter Liv Gorman and mum Debbie to ask about the inspiration behind pulling on the gloves and stepping into the ring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Battle of the Alps is a corporate fight night back at Mt Hutt Memorial Hall in Methven next Friday 11 April. For a taste of what to expect, Luke was invited along to a sparring session on the weekend and caught up with event organiser and coach Gary Manning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our go-to doc is Dr Laura Pfeifer who was back with Luke this morning talking the bugs that come with changing seasons, and the importance of booking in that flu shot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Friday Luke catches up with sporting commentator Grant Nisbett to look over  the coming weekend sport action. This morning it was Liam Lawson, Crusaders v Moana Pacifika and the cricket. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aorangi Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year is being held this weekend across the Ashburton Showgrounds and Hotel Ashburton. This one is being hosted by Hinds Young Farmers Club. Luke caught up with Olivia Caddick to share in the plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roasty Douglas from Robilliards Jewellers came by to give Luke a hard time about loosing his wedding ring in the sand of the new EA Networks Centre volleyball court. He also had some handy reminders how we should all take the time to think about our jewellery before something happens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Friday Luke catches up with sporting commentator Paul Allison to look over the sporting weekend ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hokonui is proud to support the Ashburton Guardian Mid Canterbury Sports Awards in May. Luke caught up with Alice Breading to note nominations close this coming Monday 31 March! Find details on how you can nominate someone here: https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/getting-active/mid-canterbury-sports-awardsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Thursday Luke shares a natter with Granny Shirl. This week it was reflecting on Alice's 3rd birthday, and whether he and Amber should keep the gender of the new arrival a secret... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Thursday Luke catches up with a local farming contributor to talk rural. This week it was dairy farmer Stacey Stewart to chat about the newly created Greenstreet Catchment Group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Thursday Alice Breading from Sport Canterbury stops by to share what's happening in local sport. This week it was the addition of a sand volleyball court to EA Networks, and looking back on the Weetbix TRYathlon last weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maddie and Lucas from Base Youth Centre stopped by to chat with Luke about the Centre on Tancred Street, and a special school holiday offering they have with hip hop star King Cass! You can find more on that here: https://www.facebook.com/BASEAshburtonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Thursday Luke catches up with Alice Breading from Sport Canterbury. They started this week with a slightly different twist... Alice has just returned from a week long experience at Outward Bound. Luke was keen to hear about her experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashburton has a new sand volleyball court! Find it at the northern end of the EA Networks Centre carpark. Book a session with the front desk. Luke gatecrashed the inaugural game between ADC councillors and the Ashburton Warriors. He caught up with EA Networks Centre Manager Richard Wood and Aleena from the Warriors. Check out the video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1079969584174132See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changing of the guard at Mid Canterbury Rugby. Luke invited new CEO Kenny Addison in for a hi, and departing boss Tanya Dearns in for a bye. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie Man Liam Woods was back to talk Disney's new take on Snow White on now at the Regent Cinema. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Head Student Yasmin and Makaleta were in for the fortnightly Ashburton College catch up. On the agenda this morning - A look back at Polyfest, an update on Summer Sports Week results, leadership and academic opportunities, and the big challenge for the student exec in support of Ronald McDonald House. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South Island Agricultural Field Days are back on at Kirwee this week. Many Mid Canterbury locals will be making the road trip up to it. Luke caught Committee Chair Andy Stewart to ask about the excitement that awaits visitors at this year's event. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young Connor Mackenzie reckons Ashburton could do with a better Skate Park. So he's put together a proposal and is asking for community feedback via an online survey. Luke had Connor and mum Sheree in to ask about the campaign. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Meager is the Minister for the South Island, and also our local MP. Luke got him back on the phone this morning to ask about RMA reforms, the Kirwee Field Days and what he remembers from the first L4 COVID lockdown 5yrs ago today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the success last year, Methven Lions is back with another Charity Machinery Auction at Methven Showgrounds on FRI 9 MAY. Now's the time to take a look through the back sheds and paddocks for stuff to sell. Luke caught up with Alastair Clemens to ask how it all works. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each fortnight Luke chats with Mayor Neil Brown. On this morning's agenda: The proposed 7.3% rates rise and reflecting on the first COVID L4 lockdown 5 years on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke caught up with Ashburton College Principal Simon Coleman to ask what the go is with their school heating issues. They also found time to cover the fun stuff this week - Polyfest, Maadi Cup rowing, Tennis Nationals in CHCH and the South Island Secondary MTB Champs at Mt Hutt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Usually Luke chats with Ashburton District Council CEO Hamish Riach on pressing Council matters. However, Hamish is also a passionate rugby man. He served 17yrs as CEO of the Crusaders. Luke caught Hamish this morning to remember the great man Alex "Grizz" Wyllie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each Monday Luke catches up with Sporting Commentator Grant Nisbett to review the weekend sporting action. On this morning's menu rugby, Formula 1 and remembering Grizz Wyllie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expect to see a lot of "no vacancy" signs up across the District this week as the Mt Hutt Bike Park plays host to the South Island Secondary Schools MTB Champs for the third time. Bike Methven Club Captain Stu Marr shared with Luke what we can expect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EA Networks Centre will be bustling this coming Sunday as over 100 local kids tackle the Weetbix TRYathlon. Centre boss Richard Wood stopped by to give us a heads up on the excitement, and the road closures to be aware of. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.