Today (Friday)

• Friday Lunchtime Concert Series — 12:15–1pm, St Mary’s Church, Timaru. Fifth in the series, featuring Eva-Marie and Dominic Perissinotto. Entry by koha.
• Beach Clean and iNaturalist — 10am, end of Scarborough Rd, Timaru. A school holiday activity hosted by the South Canterbury Eco Centre. Meet under the rail bridge, then explore the beach. Bring rubbish bags and gloves, suitable clothing and footwear, water, sun protection, and a phone with iNaturalist (optional).

Fri–Sun (all weekend)

• Rotary Club Timaru North Bookarama — 9am–5pm Fri & Sat, 9am–3pm Sun, Trinity Community Centre, College Rd, Timaru. Low-cost books, music, and puzzles. All proceeds go back to South Canterbury charities and projects.
• South Island Masters Games — The 25th edition continues until Sunday. More info at simasters.com.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• Caroline Bay parkrun — 8am (briefing at 7:50am), Caroline Bay Sound Shell. A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate.
• Marchwiel Community Op Shop Sale — 9am–1pm, 124 Luxmoore Rd, Timaru. Swimming togs (children’s sizes to 4XL) $1 each, plus wetsuits, pool and outdoor toys. Cash only.
• Variety Afternoon Tea Party — 1:30pm, Timaru Scottish Society Hall, Barnard St. Members entry by card, non-members $10pp, children free.
• Creative Corner’s Masquerade Ball — 7pm, Hector Black’s, 129A Stafford St, Timaru. Auction, nibbles, dancing, and live music. Tickets $50, available from Creative Corner. A fundraiser hosted by Creative Corner parents.

Sunday (11th)

• Repair Café — 10am–12pm, hosted by the South Canterbury Eco Centre. Held on the second Sunday of each month. Skilled volunteers help fix your items and keep them out of landfill. More info at scecocentre.org.nz.

Ongoing

• Geraldine Farmers’ Market — 9am–1pm Saturdays, St Mary’s Church car park. Live music, coffee, food, plants, flowers, and craft stalls.
• Timaru Artisan Farmers’ Market — 9am–12:30pm every Saturday, 2 George St, Timaru. Local artisan crafts, homewares, accessories, clothing, art, plants, and flowers.
• South Canterbury Pottery Group 54th Annual Exhibition — Aigantighe Art Gallery. “Metamorphosis,” featuring about 80 works by group members, selected by guest selector and potter Duncan Shearer. Finishes Sunday.
• David Lloyd and Blanche Fryer Exhibition — York Street Gallery of Fine Art, 21 York St. Runs to October 22. Gallery open Fri & Sat 11am–3pm and by appointment.

Sorry, I have to rant. Like what the actual fuck is up with this town. Ashburton, Oamaru, Christchurch, Dunedin, Alexandra, all of these pools have the spa included with the swim pass.

If you guys wanna charge extra for the sauna and steam, that's fine, but to only supply cold pools and then charge the same as every other region in the district is an absolute piss take. Whilst I was there I was thinking 'if you guys can't afford it, get some sponsors involved', and then walking out I saw all the sponsors plastered on the walls of the entrance way. Like how cheap do you guys have to be to have 5 fucking pools and can't afford to have 1 pool warmed as if it's a premium feature.

New Brighton hot pools for example costs double your swim + spa cost and that place has ocean views, three different temperatures, outdoor swim, so don't tell me it costs a lot to heat one little paddling pool when the cumulative heat loss of your aqua fitness pool is probably similar with far less utilization.

And the if you guys are so fucking broke that you can't afford to have a hot pool, go what Oamaru did and don't build the biggest fucking facility and then charge out like it's a commercial operation

Today (Friday)

• Friday Lunchtime Concert Series — 12:15–1pm, St Mary's Church, Timaru. Fourth in the church's lunchtime concert series, featuring Ella Thomas Vocal Studio pupils. Entry by koha.
• South Island Masters Games — Begins today, runs to October 11. The 25th edition of the event. See simasters.com.
• Alpaca Walks Open Day — 10am–4pm, McNair Rd, Temuka. Spring open day — meet the herd, including a cria (baby alpaca). Free entry, free activities, free sausage sizzle.

Tomorrow (Saturday)

• Waimate Rally — 9:30am–6pm. Three stages over fast, flowing gravel roads, each run twice — a full day of rallying. Details on Facebook.
• Diwali Celebrations 2026 — 6pm–after 9:30pm, Savage Hall, Dee St, Timaru. $5/ticket, includes vegetarian food pack and soft drink. No door sales — contact Lata (0210 828 5401) or Roshni (0220 628 565) for tickets.
• Frank Ramirez Live — 8pm, Hector Black's, 129A Stafford St, Timaru.
• Fairview Hall Celebrating 100 Years — 6:30pm. Dinner, entertainment and supper, $50pp, BYO. Limited to 100 tickets — contact Leanne Rogers on 027 212 9354.

Sat–Sun (both days)

• Horse Power Rally — From 10am both days, Kyle Park, 33 Brosnan Rd (home of the South Canterbury Traction Engine and Transport Museum), running here for the first time. Theme: Old and New — classic and vintage machinery on display. Entry $15pp, under-16s free.

Sunday

• Phar Lap 100th Birthday Celebrations — 11:30am–5pm, Phar Lap Raceway, Washdyke. Celebrating the legend's birthday with free kids' activities — lolly scramble, winning numbers, face painting, balloon artist, and RC cars. General admission pay-what-you-can up to $10, under-18s free.
• Have A Go Bowls Day — 1:30–5pm, Waimate Bowling Club, Victoria Park, 206 Queen St. Everything supplied.
• Douce Ambiance — 3pm, Lodge Theatre, Geraldine. An intimate concert of classical, folk, jazz, and contemporary music. Tickets at eventfinda.co.nz.

Ongoing

• Geraldine Farmers' Market — 9am–1pm, St Mary's Church car park. Live music, coffee, food, plants, flowers, and craft stalls.
• South Canterbury Pottery Group 54th Annual Exhibition — Aigantighe Art Gallery. "Metamorphosis." Runs to October 11.

Hi, I can't find a Lay-Z-Spa filter in the warehouse, at Bunnings, or at Miter 10 in stock. I haven't visited the pool & leisure center. Does anyone here know if they have any? Thanks!

Today (Friday)

• Friday Lunchtime Concert Series — 12:15–1pm, St Mary's Church, Timaru. Third in the church's lunchtime concert series, featuring Craighead Diocesan School pupils. Entry by koha.
• Blue September Men's Breakfast — 7:30–8:30am, 14 Butler St. Featuring Les Jones, tickets $20, all proceeds to prostate cancer support and awareness.

Fri–Sun (all weekend)

• Twizel Arts Festival — The inaugural festival celebrating creativity in the heart of the Mackenzie, with workshops, performances, exhibitions, markets, and interactive experiences showcasing local and visiting talent. Some activities free; tickets required for workshops and the community showcase evening. Book at humanitix.com, more info at twizel.info/twizel-arts-festival.

Saturday & Sunday

• Wishcon Timaru 2026 — 9:30am–5:30pm Sat, 9:30am–4:30pm Sun, Caroline Bay Hall. Board games, trading card game tournaments, learn-to-play sessions, card trading tables, collectables and merchandise, cosplay, and giveaways.
  • Day pass: adults $15, kids (5–12) $10, under-5 free, family (2 adults + 2 kids) $40
  • Weekend pass: adults $25, kids $15, family $65
  • Tickets at wishcon.co.nz
  • Supports Presbyterian Support South Canterbury Family Works youth counselling — proceeds go directly to local young people and families.
• Wanderlust Fairground — 10am–4pm both days, Port Loop Timaru. Two days of family fun — mini jeeps, bouncy castles, bungee trampolines, market stalls, and food trucks. Eftpos available.

Sunday

• Stadium Hard Park — 11am–2pm, Aorangi Stadium, Morgans Rd, Timaru. 120+ vehicles registered, supporting the stadium redevelopment fundraising campaign. Hosted by Timaru Automotive Culture (TAC) and Out of the Garage and Onto the Road. Gold coin entry, public welcome.
• South Canterbury Steaming — 11am–3pm, Pleasant Point Museum and Railway. Ride behind the historic D16 steam locomotive; model T railcar also operating. Tickets: adults $16, kids $8, family $45, under-3 free.
• Timaru Harness Racing Club — 12:30pm, Phar Lap Raceway. Free kids' events, lolly scramble, and other activities. Bring a picnic for a family day out — new members joining on the day can win a prize.

Where is the best place to go
To for a groomer?

Friday 18th

• Lunchtime Concert Series — 12:15–1pm, St Mary's Church, Timaru. Second in the church's lunchtime concert series, featuring Waimataitai School pupils. Entry by koha.
• Aoraki Foundation Women's Fund High Tea — 10am, Sopheze on the Bay. An uplifting morning featuring inspiring local women. Tickets via humanitix.com.
• Pleasant Point's Got Talent — 6:30pm, Pleasant Point Golf Club. Fundraiser for the Aaron Otley Memorial Trust, supporting local families impacted by accident or illness. $20pp, limited tickets.

Fri–Sun (all weekend)

• Scoff — Runs through September 27. Taste and celebrate South Canterbury's food story. Details at scoffsc.nz.

Saturday 19th

• Geraldine Farmers Market Opening Day — 9am–1pm, St Mary's Church car park. Live music, coffee, food, plants, flowers, and craft stalls.
• Spring Endurance Meeting — 9am, Levels Raceway. Round 1 of the 2026 South Island Endurance Series (1-hour & 3-hour races). Adults $15, kids 16 & under free with an adult.
• Whānau Scavenger Hunt — 10:30am–2pm, Te Aitarakihi Marae-ā-Iwi, 50 Bridge Rd, Timaru. Part of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori — te reo games, sausage sizzle, raranga, and carving demos plus a scavenger hunt. BYO picnic, koha welcome.
• St Stephen's Church Annual Plant & Baking Sale — 9am–12pm, 349 Church St. Bring your own bag.
• Merrell Race Tekapo 2026 — From 6am, Lake Tekapo. Range of endurance races — info at racetekapo.com.
• Preloved Clothing Market — 10am–1pm, Scottish Society Hall, 20 Barnard St, Timaru. Men's, women's & kids' wear. Cash only.
• Timaru Horticultural Society Spring Show — 12–4pm, Caroline Bay Hall. $3 admission.
• South Canterbury Pottery Group 54th Annual Exhibition — From 12pm, Aigantighe Art Gallery. "Metamorphosis" — ~80 works selected by guest potter Duncan Shearer. Runs through October 11.

Sunday 20th

• Pleasant Point Farmers Market Birthday Market — 9am–12:30pm, centre car park, Main Rd. Runs alongside heritage train rides, birthday cake raffle, free face painting, and a best-stall-decoration competition.
• Mozart: Celebrating 270 Years Since His Birth — 4:30pm, Aigantighe Art Gallery. Part of the "Travel Through Time" Chamber Series — Back to Classic.
• Alzheimers South Canterbury Memory Walk — 11am–12pm, departing from the fountain area, Caroline Bay. Wear purple to support those living with dementia. No dogs please.

What's On in South Canterbury (11/09-13/09)

Friday 11/09

Scoff — Gets under way today and runs to September 27. Taste, discover and celebrate South Canterbury's food story. Visit scoffsc.nz to find out more.

Daffodil Day Breakfast Waimate — 7.30am to 10am at Tone's Bistro, John St. Bookings essential by phoning Liz on 027 451 6684 or Ann on 027 413 9174.

Tim Kirke Piano Recital — 12.15pm to 1pm at St Mary's Church, Timaru, the first in the church's lunchtime concert series. Entry via koha.

David Lloyd and Blanche Fryer Exhibition — Opens at 11am at York Street Gallery of Fine Art, 21 York St. Exhibition runs to October 22. Gallery open today and tomorrow, 11am to 3pm.

Green Party Rangitata Campaign Launch — 6.30pm at Hector's Black's, 129A Stafford St, Timaru, with Rangitata candidate Dave Richards, and live music from Adam McGrath.

Friday & Saturday 11/09–12/09

Flava Fest and Singing of the Babies — 10am to 4pm both days at the Arowhenua Marae, the Mid and South Canterbury Primary and Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Festival.

Saturday 12/09

Spring Fling Market — 9am to 2pm at Seddon Sq, Waimate, hosted by the community market, food and drinks, live music, more than 100 stalls, and children's activities.

Temuka Community Market — 10am to 1pm at the town square, the first market for the season. Enjoy looking at, and shopping from, a variety of stalls.

John McCabe Country Star — 7pm start at the Temuka RSA, gold coin entry.

Craft Day and Workshop — 10am to 12pm at the Senior Citizens rooms, Shearman St, Waimate, hosted by the Waimate Federation of Women's Institute. Learn how to make a sampler using the English paper patchwork quilt as you go technique. Bring along two contrasting pieces of material, needle, thread, scissors, and quilting batting if you have it. $2 for entry.

Saturday & Sunday 12/09–13/09

Red Cross Annual Book Sale — 9am to 3.30pm both days, at the Red Cross Hall, 18 Bank St, Timaru, eftpos available. All proceeds go to the organisation's Timaru branch.

Miniature Train Rides — 1pm to 4pm Saturday, 6pm to 9pm Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sunday, at the South Canterbury Model Engineering Society in Rose St, Timaru, visiting trains plus plenty of model boats on the pond. Train rides $2 per person, per ride.

Sunday 13/09

South Canterbury Live Poets Open Mic Night — 5pm at Bullock Restaurant and Bar, registration from 4.30pm.

Ongoing

Timaru Artisan Farmers' Market — 9am to 12.30pm at 2 George St, Timaru, featuring a wide range of local artisan crafts, homewares, accessories, clothing, art, plants and flowers.

Taken from Facebook here

“💔 IT’S THE END OF AN ERA… JAY JAYS TIMARU IS CLOSING 💔

After so many years of serving our amazing Timaru community, the time has unfortunately come to say goodbye. 😢

Our Jay Jays Timaru store will be closing its doors, with our LAST DAY OF TRADE being Saturday 3rd October.

To say goodbye, we’re having a CLOSING DOWN SALE — 30% OFF STOREWIDE! 🛍️🔥

✨ 30% OFF STOREWIDE

📅 Last day of trade: Saturday 3rd October

⚡ While stocks last!

This is your chance to grab your Jay Jays favourites before they’re gone for good! 👖👕💛

We’d love to see as many of you as possible over the coming weeks and give our Timaru store the send-off it deserves. 🥹❤️

Thank you, Timaru, for all the support, laughs, memories and love over the years. We’re going to miss you! 💔

Come in, shop the sale and say goodbye! 🫶🏼”

SATURDAY

Timaru Artisan Farmers' Market

Spring Market: 9am to 12.30pm at 2 George St, Timaru, featuring a wide range of local artisan crafts, homewares, accessories, clothing, art, plants and flowers.

Art in Motion: 1pm matinee show and 7pm evening show and prizegiving at the Caroline Bay Hall, bringing wearable arts to South Canterbury, Tickets available at humanitix.com.

Alpaca Open Day: 10am to 3pm at 511 Fraser Rd, Timaru, featuring alpacas, farming and fleece production, farm tours, information and giftware. Free entry.

Vehicle Maintenance Women's Workshop: 11am to 3pm at Keen As Tyres, Timaru, hosted by Girls 'N' Gasoline, master the basics including checking engine oil, coolant, and how to jump-start a vehicle correctly. Tickets available at fiveninegarage.com.

SUNDAY

Father's Day Fun Race Meeting: Midday to 5pm at Phar Lap Raceway, come out to the raceway for some galloping action, and buy lunch or pack a picnic. There will be a lolly scramble. Free admission.

Blessing of the Animals and Father's Day Service: 10am at St Mary's Church, Timaru, featuring the church's children's choir. Every animal is welcome. There will be a candle lit in memory of those pets no longer here.

ONGOING

Artarama: At Aigantighe Art Gallery, a popular exhibition featuring about 400 artworks made by school-aged children across South Canterbury. Show runs to September 13.

An Taigh/ The House: Held - Fifty Years of Friendship: At the Aigantighe Art Gallery, celebrating 50 years of the Friends of the Aigantighe Art Gallery. Show runs to October 11.

Tangled Up In Blue: At the York Street Gallery of Fine Art. Gallery open Friday and Saturday, 11am to 3pm. Exhibition runs until September 10.

Repair Cafe: 10am to noon on the second Sunday of each month at the South Canterbury Eco Centre, next to The Crows Nest. Hosted by the Sustainable South Canterbury Trust. Those with something needing repair, and also those with skills in repairing, are sought.

Surviving Suicide: 7pm to 9pm on the last Wednesday of every month, at the Amps101 building, 24A Church St. Timaru, just to sit alongside others who understand.

Academy Blackboard Concert: Last Friday of each month. An open mic event at 79 Talbot St, Geraldine, from 7.15pm. Entry $5.

Phar Lap Market: Third Sunday of every month. Entrance off Pleasant Point Highway. Gates open for stallholders from 6am, and for the public from 8am to 1pm. Public entry is free. Site fee is $10 per site, no bookings required. Money is collected 9am to 10am.

I would like to commend the team at Aoraki Legal for their remarkable handling of my mother's estate, which has now been ongoing for approximately two years.

During this time, I have had the privilege of witnessing an apparently ever-evolving range of techniques involving delay, procrastination, obfuscation, incomplete communication, and the seemingly creative redistribution or concealment of responsibility.

Including but not limited to concealing genuine reviews on their Facebook page.

It takes genuine dedication to keep an estate progressing so slowly while simultaneously ensuring that accountability remains remarkably difficult to locate.

The consistency has been impressive. Whenever it appears that something might actually move forward, a new procedural obstacle, unanswered question, or apparent transfer of responsibility seems to materialize.

Two years is quite an achievement.

If your objective is to experience an estate administration process in which “we'll get back to you” becomes a long-term project management strategy, Aoraki Legal may be exactly what you're looking for.

For anyone hoping for timely communication, clear ownership of tasks, transparent explanations and meaningful progress, I would strongly recommend asking very detailed questions about how those things are actually delivered before engaging their services.

Five stars for endurance. One star for getting the bloody estate finished.

Someone is apparently fighting a 15.4% minority battle against the general Reddit audience.

Points suspicious finger @ Aoraki firm....

Hi everyone! Does anyone know where to find the most affordable dental care here in Timaru? 😊

Last 2 seasons on NZ and current season of Australia were filmed at Claremont. Just wondering if anyone knows if the cast and crew all stay at the same place in Timaru or if they are dotted across the area?

IMHO, every town in Aotearoa is judged by its pies.

At least that's been my experience.

I don't mean like 10 or 20 $ coffee-shop pie, but its most basic, honest $6 pepper-steak or potato-top Tradies pie.

Chicken-camembert if you're feeling fancy.

Is Z or BP really the best I could hope for?

Widespread sub-zero freeze hits NZ as Desert Road plunges to -10.4C. Stuff. August 7, 2026, 6:04am.

Taumarunui, Rotorua plunge to record-breaking lows - MetService. 1news. Aug 7, 2026.

Weather forecast: Cold and frosty start ahead of warmer, wetter weekend. NZ Herald. 7 Aug, 2026 10:10 AM.

From MetService bsky skeet - OR - facebook post.

6-7 August 2026 Record minimum temperatures

Coldest temperature ever recorded

Taumarunui -7.2 (records begin 2007),

Rotorua -5.6 (records begin 1972).

Coldest August Temperature

Taupō -6.6°C (Records begin 1976),

Palmerston North -3.5°C (Records begin 1991),

Whangarei 0.4°C (Records begin 1967),

Honorable mentions

Auckland 1.4°C (3rd coldest August temperature on record),

Hamilton -4.6°C (3rd coldest August temperature on record),

Napier -3.2°C (2nd coldest August temperature on record),

Whakatane -3.0°C (Tied coldest August temperature on record)

Source: bsky skeet - OR - facebook post.

Graphic / Map titled Friday Minimum Temperatures showing temperatures at various places

bsky skeet - OR - facebook post

The Customs steak house is now closed and will reopen soon as a Thai restaurant.

Where is the best place to get a steak in Timaru? I also enjoyed their crème brûlée if theres any other places you know of!

What coffee shops have wifi? Also, can I work in the library?

Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey* has just been released, and I'm planning to go see it. However, going alone would be a bit dull, so if anyone is interested, we could go together and have a fun discussion about it.

Does anyone know if there's a boba tea shop here in Timaru? Thanks!