Selwyn District facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Selwyn District
Territorial authority district
Photo taken from the TranzAlpine train
Location of the Selwyn District within the South Island
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury
Wards	Ellesmere Malvern Selwyn Central Springs
Formed	1989
Seat	Rolleston
Area
• Total	6,381.15 km2 (2,463.78 sq mi)
Population  (June 2023)
• Total	81,300
• Density	12.741/km2 (32.998/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)	Map of postcodes

The Selwyn District is a large area in the middle of Canterbury, on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. It's mostly countryside with farms. The district gets its name from the Selwyn River / Waikirikiri. This river was named after Bishop George Selwyn. He was the first Anglican bishop in New Zealand. In the 1840s, he traveled all over the country by horse, foot, boat, and canoe. Many places he visited were later named after him.

A Look at Selwyn's Past

Who Lived Here First?

The first people to live in the Selwyn area were the Māori. They arrived in New Zealand about 700 years ago from the Cook and Society Islands. Today, the main Māori tribe in Selwyn and much of the South Island is Ngāi Tahu. Their local meeting place, called a marae, is in Taumutu. This is close to where Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) flows out.

European Settlers and Farming

In the late 1800s, European settlers arrived. Most of them came from Britain. They turned the land into farms. Farming has been a very important part of the area ever since.

How Selwyn District Was Formed

The Selwyn District, as a government area, was created in 1989. This happened when the Malvern and Ellesmere counties joined together. A part of Paparua County also became part of Selwyn.

Recent Growth and Changes

Since 1989, the district has been a stable and successful place. In recent years, more and more people have moved here. In fact, in 2013, Selwyn was the fastest-growing local area in New Zealand!

Many new residents have moved from Christchurch. They often live on small farms or in Selwyn's towns. These towns are easy to travel from to Christchurch. Some of these towns include Rolleston, Prebbleton, Lincoln, West Melton, and Kirwee. Rolleston is the biggest town in Selwyn.

In 2010, Selwyn District, along with Christchurch and Waimakariri District, was affected by an earthquake. The earthquake's center was near Darfield.

Exploring Selwyn's Geography

Where is Selwyn District?

The Selwyn District is located in the middle of Canterbury. This means it's also in a central spot on the South Island.

What are Selwyn's Borders?

• North: The Waimakariri River forms the northern border on the Canterbury Plains. In the hills, the border with the Hurunui District is less clear.
• East: To the east, you'll find the city of Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, and the South Pacific Ocean.
• South: The Rakaia River forms the southern border. Beyond it is the Ashburton District.
• West: The western border is the main ridge of the Southern Alps.

Key Natural Features

Selwyn District has two main types of land: the plains and the high country.

• The Plains: This is where most people live and most activities happen. It's a wide, flat area of grassland that is quite dry. In the far southeast, you'll find Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora. This large lake is surrounded by marshy areas. The Selwyn River / Waikirikiri flows into it. Other rivers that feed the Selwyn River include the Waianiwaniwa River, the Hororata River, and the Hawkins River.
• The High Country: This area has fewer people. It's mostly made up of hills, mountains, and narrow river valleys. Most of the high country is grassland, including some tussock (a type of grass). You can still find areas of beech forest in the Craigieburn Forest Park and the Arthur's Pass National Park.

Selwyn's Climate

The plains have a mild climate. Summers are warm and dry, while winters are cool. The Southern Alps block a lot of rain, making the area drier. They also cause a special wind called the "Canterbury Nor'Wester." This wind is strong, hot, and dry. It's most common in spring and summer and can sometimes be strong enough to cause damage. In the mountain areas of the Southern Alps, it's much colder and wetter.

Selwyn's People and Population

How Many People Live Here?

The Selwyn District covers about 6,381 square kilometers. As of 2023, the population was 78,144 people. This means there are about 12.2 people per square kilometer.

The population has grown a lot!

• In 2006, there were 33,645 people.
• In 2013, it grew to 44,595 people.
• By 2018, it was 60,561 people.
• In 2023, the population reached 78,144.

This shows a big increase of 29.0% since 2018, and a huge 75.2% increase since 2013! The average age in Selwyn is about 37.6 years old.

Who Lives in Selwyn?

People in Selwyn come from many different backgrounds.

• About 84.1% are European/Pākehā.
• About 9.0% are Māori.
• About 2.4% are Pasifika.
• About 11.4% are Asian.
• About 1.5% are from the Middle East, Latin America, or Africa.
• About 1.5% are from other backgrounds.

Some people identify with more than one group.

Where Do People Live in Selwyn?

Selwyn District has six towns with more than 1,000 people. These towns are home to about 79.5% of the district's population.

Selwyn's Economy

Farming and Agriculture

A big part of Selwyn's economy comes from farming.

• Most farms raise animals like beef cattle and sheep in drier areas.
• In wetter areas, you'll find dairy farms (for milk) and deer farms.
• Some people also breed horses.
• Growing crops is also important. Farmers grow wheat and barley on the plains. Smaller amounts of grapes, other fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and flowers are also grown.

Job Growth in Selwyn

In 2012, Selwyn District had the fastest economic growth of any district in New Zealand. The number of jobs grew by 9.5%, which is much higher than the national average of 1%. This meant 1,200 new jobs were created in the district that year.

Major Businesses and Education

The services in Selwyn's small towns mostly help the local community. However, there are some important exceptions:

• Lincoln: This town is home to Lincoln University. It also has many Crown Research Institutes and other groups that focus on scientific research.
• Rolleston: This town is where IZONE is located. IZONE is the largest business park in New Zealand.

The Selwyn District Council also owns 11% of Orion. This company distributes electricity in the area.