Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre

The Gallery and Heritage Centre focuses on the district's history and culture. At the heart of the Gallery collection is the works of internationally celebrated Ashburton-born children's book author and illustrator David Elliot. As the institutional caretaker of Elliot's vast collection the Gallery has gained a notable point of difference. Included are drawings from award winning books The Making of the Word Witch (a collaboration with the late Margaret Mahy), The Moon and Farmer McPhee and Lewis Carroll's The Hunting of the Snark.

The Museum, which is a separate entity, has collections which record the natural and cultural history of the district. There is a model of theRangitata Diversion Race, a key factor in the region's economy.This was New Zealand's first major river diversion and largest irrigation scheme.The race which involves a powerstation at Highbank runs 66 kilometres across the District irrigating many farms. It was started in 1936 as a depression work scheme. Also see the famous photo of Bob Semple the first Labour government's Minister of Works who is usually depicted driving a bulldozer.