Stories by Jonathan Leask

Lake Camp has been a summer recreational mecca for over half a century - but families fear it will be too dry to use this summer.

Recent polling shows abuse aimed at councils is on the rise. LDR looks into the behaviour that is increasingly becoming a threat to democracy.

People in Ashburton are cranking up their wood burners in the face of the cold winter weather and the town has already breached the high-pollution threshold twice.

Farmer Ray Logan has had enough of what he describes as the "over-the-top" use of road cones.

The household was accused of putting out multiple yellow and red bins to dump 480kg of rubbish and becoming abusive when approached about it.

An investigation will look at how Ashburton district's local economy could benefit from a bite-size portion of the Te Araroa trail.

The statue is in need of work, but with the project unbudgeted the council has yet to work out where the cash to fund it will come from.

An investigation continues into Environment Canterbury's chairperson, five weeks on from him standing down from the role.

The Transport Minister is not ruling out introducing a toll on a second Ashburton bridge - either on the new bridge or existing State Highway 1 crossing - to help pay for its construction.

A new freight hub is being described as a "game changer" for Mid Canterbury, which will help shift trucks off the busy highway and keep Ashburton moving.

Ashburton's Chinese market garden settlement will be officially opened on Sunday and will be open to the public from Monday.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown remains confident that the town's second bridge won't fall into what could be a $24 billion fiscal hole.

Local residents say there was no consultation and are campaigning to bring back the campground, or remove the bollards.

The one thing the Ashburton District Council wanted to deliver in 2023 didn't happen, the proposed second bridge took a big step forward, and 30kph school speed zones were introduced.

An increased road budget, three waters compliance and interest are behind a signalled 11.5 percent rates rise in the first year of the Ashburton District Council's long-term plan.

Throughout the operation, police adopted a "spot and stop" policy, where drivers were pulled over if detected speeding, and seatbelt checks were carried on the car's occupants.

Consents been made to develop a $200m equine stud and equestrian centre next to Lake Hood in Ashburton.

A new Canterbury regional tourism plan has been endorsed by the local councils but there's no money to implement it.

当地住户认为重型机动车带来诸多问题，如扬尘、噪音、安全性及对道路的破坏等，当地议会支持其诉求但进行了一定妥协。

Tour bus access to one of the best views in New Zealand is being restricted due to safety concerns.

Who is responsible for keeping Rakaia River pristine? It's a question that's led to protracted legal action in Canterbury, with another twist this week.

Ashburton District Council operates with transparency, despite many workshops taking place behind doors closed to the public in the last financial year, its chief executive says.

A roading expert has explained why potholes are repeatedly patched up rather than properly fixed.

Two violent fights have been filmed at Ashburton College, a year after a review into bullying claims at the school.

The Three Waters reform is not dead and buried with a change in government, "just going to be done differently".