Latest fromAshburton

Man chokes on pie, dies during novelty event at rugby fundraiser
Phillip Andrew Ludemann was competing in a speed time trial with his father.

Fire takes hold of Methven country pub
The roof of the Brown Pub in Canterbury's Mount Hutt Village is well involved in fire.

Yolkers crack the big time
New Zealand's Yolk Ferns have been crowned world champions at egg throwing.

Horror intersections: A matter of time before more deaths, say locals
Crashes at either end of Route 72 or the Inland Scenic Route have resulted in two dead.

Ashburton cops cleared of planting evidence
The man was charged with possessing methamphetamine but this was dismissed by a judge.

Police plea: Information over stolen vehicle in Canterbury
Dashcam footage is being called for from members of the public.

Tramper found unharmed after three days missing
Timothy Clements, 36, was due to return from his Ashburton Lakes tramp on Monday.

Search continues for missing tramper Timothy Clements
Police Search and Rescue staff are at the Te Araroa Track near Lake Emily.

Your weather: Country to bask in warmer temps this weekend
Temperatures are forecast to soar 6C above average in some parts of the country.

'Worst crash I've ever seen': Driver dead after smashing into Hawke's Bay bridge
The mangled Holden Commodore has been removed from the scene.

'She had the biggest heart': Mum, two kids killed in crash
The mother is survived by her partner and four remaining children.

'Unbelievable' loss: Nine killed in nine hours on roads
To lose one family member was tough, to lose five was "unbelievable", says relative.

Nine dead on roads: Boy, 11, survives crash that killed family members
Five members of same family died in Tirohanga Rd crash south of Kinleith.

Truck carrying sheep crashes and flips
The truck driver escaped with minor injuries, and no sheep appear to be injured.

Does Canterbury coast harbour submarine secret?
Debate over sightings and sinking of wartime Japanese submarine in New Zealand.

'Absolutely disgusted': Police investigating after tour group urinate on side of road
Ashburton residents are disgusted, and police are investigating.

One seriously injured after two-car crash in Canterbury
A helicopter has been dispatched to the crash site near the township of Hinds.

Winz killer appeals conviction
Russell John Tully will argue his case at Court of Appeal in March.

68 people - mostly men - drowned in 2018
In 2018, 24 fewer people died from preventable drowning than year before.

Police name toddler who drowned in Ashburton ditch
Emergency services were called to a Maronan Valetta Rd address at about 5.20pm on Sunday.

Toddler drowns in Ashburton ditch
Emergency services called to the scene about 5.20pm on Sunday.

One person dead after falling into water in Ashburton
Emergency services were called to the incident on Sunday evening.

Watch: Hay truck catches fire, highway closed
A crane is now on the way to the scene to remove the wreckage.

Breakthrough: DNA could crack Kirsty Bentley murder case
She went missing 20 years ago today. Now, there are hopes new methods can catch her killer

Small Business: The Ashburton farm breeding Christmas turkeys
Two per cent of turkeys sold in New Zealand are bred and processed by this family.

Lotto player strikes gold, bagging $1 million
Powerball and Strike Four will both roll over to Saturday night's draw.

Man burned after cutting oil drum near Ashburton
Man aged 40 going to hospital after oil drum exploded.

Why Ashburton's low unemployment rate is proving a problem
With 1.9 percent unemployment, local employers just can't find enough people to work.

Watch: 'Massive' tornado in Canterbury
"It ended up coming about 10m from the car, and there was debris and dirt flying around."