Stories by Jonathan Leask

It's been a long road and now construction of Ashburton's long-awaited bridge isn't far off. But calls for a bypass persist.

Better signage would not have avoided a woman dying following a water incident at the Rakaia River mouth in Canterbury, a local councillor says.

With a government requirement changed post long-term plan, the Ashburton District Council briefly revisited its decision to roll out green waste collection in 2026.

The Ashburton District Council will investigate a cat policy after conservationists asked for help to keep bird songs ringing out.

The speed limit through the town is set to increase to 70kph by 1 July.

A Russian business that owns a high country station in Mid Canterbury now owns a slice of Ashburton's CBD.

It's costing ratepayers about $7000 but the council says it's creating profit for local businesses.

NZTA will reverse speed limits on 38 sections of the state highway network - including through the Rakaia township - back to their previous higher speed limit.

An Ashburton woman was surprised to find out the council would no longer help with the maintenance of the California Redwood tree that towers over her property.

Canterbury's 10 water zone committees look set for a restructure, but the Ashburton chair is questioning where the accountability is in the proposed new model.

James Meager is now a minister outside of cabinet after being given the new title of Minister for the South Island. Audio

The man who said Ashburton would be turtle town after school speed zones were introduced is happy to see them changing.

The axe still hangs above Balmoral Hall in Ashburton, but its dancers are at least relieved they have time to find a new venue.

Chris Allen died, aged 62, in a tragic accident on his Ashburton Forks farm on Monday.

The long-awaited project will help reduce congestion along State Highway 1, where the existing bridge has had to close twice due to flooding in recent years, cutting the South Island off in the…

Two people per month on average have been trespassed from the new library and civic centre prompting the council to introduce a new code of conduct.

A large Canterbury solar farm is gearing up to increase the power output in the district, but it's also creating a massive jump in green waste.

Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury president said the government's changes around the Resource Management Act will be well received by local farmers.

Mid Canterbury biodiversity and pest management projects received a combined $50,000 boost, which will help a riverside restoration project reach the finish line.

"There's nothing for our kids and teenagers in this town."

Organisational failure saw Environment Canterbury fail to reprimand the chairperson - that's what the council are saying.

Ashburton's new library and civic centre cost $62.1 million to build.

A hut holder says Ashburton's council made the right decision not to apply for resource consent to divert water from Balmacaan Stream to the troubled Lake Camp.

Customers required emergency hospital treatment after suffering severe allergic reactions in two separate incidents at Ashburton cafes.

Helmets remain "strongly recommended" at the Staveley Ice and Curling Rink as it waits to consider the outcomes of investigations into a tragic accident.