Asking people what's hot (and not) about Ashburton

By Liam van Eeden and Zoe Madden-Smith

“I feel like there’s not a lot to do if you’re not drinking.”

From Maccas to women’s rugby clubs, Ashburton locals tell us what’s hot (and what’s not so hot) in Ashburton, a small town an hour south from Christchurch. 

The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most.

Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube.

Made with the support of NZ On Air. 

More stories from The Regions:

Life as a teen after leaving Gloriavale

“I imagined life outside Gloriavale would look sad…but that’s not true at all.”

Hunters fear losing their guns for seeking mental health help. They don’t have to

“Hunting is the one thing that got me out of dark space.”

All Episodes9

Life as a teen on the isolated West Coast

‘There's a lot of people that feel lonely growing up here.’

Growing up in New Zealand’s most isolated hapū

This marae is three hours’ drive from the nearest town.

Hot or Not: Greymouth edition

We ask young people what’s hot, and what’s not, on the South Island’s West Coast.

Asking people what's hot (and not) about Ashburton

“I feel like there’s not a lot to do if you’re not drinking.”

Hot or Not: Southland edition

We ask young people what’s hot, and what’s not, in Southland

I’m a seventh-generation fisherman on Stewart Island

‘There’s a saying that Stewart Island is 10 years behind everyone else.’

Brotherhood of bogans: inside Southland’s boy racer scene

‘You have your opinion, but it’s my life - I’m going to do what I want.’

Life as a teen after leaving Gloriavale

“I imagined life outside Gloriavale would look sad…but that’s not true at all.”

Hunters fear losing their guns for seeking mental health help. They don’t have to

“Hunting is the one thing that got me out of dark space.”

The Regions

The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most.

Made with the support of NZ On Air.

Read1

We made a series about the lives of regional rangatahi

From hunting to boy racing, The Regions shows what it's like to grow up in small towns.

View all series