Our electorate:

Selwyn is a new electorate extending from the Southern Alps to Akaroa, including all of Banks Peninsula. Its southern boundary is formed by the Rakaia River, while its northern border skirts Christchurch city and then follows the Waimakariri River.

It includes the communities west of Christchurch City between the two rivers including Lincoln, Prebbleton, Springston,  Rolleston, West Melton, Burnham, Kirwee, Darfield, Leeston, Southbridge, Dunsandel, Hororata, Lake Coleridge and Springfield, and extends inland to include Arthur’s Pass. It also includes Christchurch International Airport and the Christchurch suburbs of Yaldhurst, Oaklands, Halswell, Westmorland and Templeton.

The Selwyn electorate was newly created in 2007 and replaces parts of the Waimakariri, Banks Peninsula and Rakaia electorates. It was created because the southern electorates expanded northwards, causing the disappearance of the old Rakaia electorate.

For electorate boundaries click here.

Our people:

The Selwyn electorate has seen enormous growth in recent years – a 20% increase in population between 2001 and 2006, which is more than double the national average.

Among all New Zealand electorates in 2006, Selwyn had the most; families with income of between $70,001 and $100,000 (20.5%); married people (55.9%) and highest homeownership (77.8%).

It is a comparatively mono-cultural electorate, with lower-than-average Pacific Island, Maori and Asian populations. Selwyn electorate is a mix of town and country, with more than 2700 agricultural businesses employing well over 3000 people. The 2006 census showed that 7500 businesses were based in the Selwyn electorate area covering everything from rural services and property management to television and telecommunications companies.

For more information about the people of the electorate click here

Our landscape:

We are privileged to live in one of the most spectacular and diverse landscapes in New Zealand, from the Southern Alps to the beautiful rivers and lakes on the plains. From the iconic high-country stations to the scenic coastline of the Akaroa Peninusla, Selwyn has a range of outdoor activities for everyone and a booming tourism sector.

On our doorstep there are wineries, internationally-renowned golf courses and lodges, skiing, rafting and climbing, gourmet food, walks and fishing to name just a few attractions.

The Selwyn District Council website is an excellent resource for visitor information at http://www.selwyn.govt.nz/

Selwyn District was the fastest growing territorial authority in NZ in 2008-09, with 2.8% growth.