Growing Smarter: Shaping Waikirikiri Selwyn's Economic Future
Selwyn District Council media release: 11th February 2025
How does a rapidly growing district harness its momentum and potential to shape a vibrant economic future? What does it take to transform a thriving agricultural district into an exemplar of innovation and sustainable growth? What strategies are needed to balance rapid growth with sustainability and community wellbeing?
These are the questions at the heart of Selwyn District Council’s ambitious new Economic Development Strategy - a 10-year roadmap designed to transform the region into a powerhouse of innovation and sustainable prosperity.
Breaking New Ground - The Strategy Overview
The strategy is titled Breaking New Ground: A Strategy for Economic Transformation 2024-2034 [PDF] and aims to harness the district’s unique strengths and opportunities to shape an economy that provides enduring benefits for generations to come.
As one of the fastest-growing regions in New Zealand, the plan comes at a crucial time for Waikirikiri Selwyn. As the district faces rapid changes in population, technology, climate, and more, the comprehensive document looks to facilitate informed, intentional growth and innovation across various sectors of the local economy, aligning with the aims of Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn - the framework which provides a 50 to 100-year vision for the district.
Find out more about the Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn framework.
To support the strategy’s execution, the Council has allocated a NZ$9 million budget over 10 years in its Long-Term Plan 2024-34.
Find out more about the current Selwyn District Long Term Plan.
A Collaborative Approach
The development of the strategy was a collective effort. Formal engagement began in November 2023 and lasted six months, and involved extensive engagement with over 250 local leaders, businesses, community members and mana whenua.
This inclusive approach ensures that the strategy reflects the needs and aspirations of the entire Selwyn community, says Denise Kidd, Executive Director of Community Services & Facilities at Selwyn District Council.
“We’ve been very, very intentional about engaging right throughout the process with our business community,” she says.
“We have been pleasantly surprised at the level of engagement we’ve had and that engagement has really helped us to focus on where we want to be. It’s a really intentional framework that, at its heart, is about collaboration, and leveraging off our strengths as a district.
Key Principles of the Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy
At the core of the strategy is the idea that future growth for Waikirikiri Selwyn must be purposeful, inclusive, and sustainable.
Centred on three key themes—getting the settings right, playing to existing strengths, and growing from within—it aims to leverage Selwyn's unique advantages and opportunities to shape an economy that provides enduring benefits to future generations.
To ‘get the settings right’, the strategy emphasises local cooperation, creating a business-friendly Council environment, attracting investment, and building a strong brand for Selwyn. The council plans to establish a Selwyn Futures Forum for economic leaders, create a service to engage prospective businesses in the area, and develop a distinct place-based brand identity for the district.
To capitalise on Selwyn’s existing assets, initiatives such as commissioning a Food and Fibre Opportunities study, exploring the concept of ‘Waikirikiri Selwyn as a Living Lab’ (promoting the region’s agritech and future foods), and developing stronger links between the agricultural sector and the visitor economy. There is a strong emphasis on backing Māori success and supporting a holistic and integrated approach to economic activity.
“Selwyn is strong at every step of the supply chain,” says Kidd. “We grow some of the best produce on our farms, have excellent manufacturing capabilities, and a world-class port—all backed by research and education. This gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase Selwyn’s products globally.”
While the strategy covers the next decade (2024-2034), it also recognises that significant changes require an intergenerational view. Of particular note is the way the strategy has been developed alongside two other Council strategies, Piki Amokura Youth Strategy and Te Paepae Ageing Well Strategy.
“Waikirikiri Selwyn is experiencing a remarkable level of growth in its young people and that presents both challenges and opportunities,” says Kidd.
“We’ve got this really extraordinary population of young people coming through and that presents us with an opportunity to direct and support them into meaningful jobs that are future-oriented.”
Through targeted training programmes, industry partnerships, and lifelong learning initiatives, the plan aims to equip Selwyn's workforce with the capabilities needed for emerging industries.
“We’re focusing on creating seamless pathways between education and employment,” says Kidd. “Whether it's digital literacy, sustainable practices, or innovative technologies, we want our people to grow with the economy, not be left behind by it.”
Innovation and Initiative
At the heart of Waikirikiri Selwyn's economic transformation lies an ambitious vision for innovation and entrepreneurship.
A plan to explore an Innovation Hub and Business Hub facility in Rolleston will serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and collaboration, providing an ecosystem where innovative businesses can thrive and collaborate, complemented by satellite facilities across other towns to ensure the benefits of innovation reach the entire district.
The strategy identifies key innovation sectors including agritech, clean energy, and digital technologies. Local success stories already demonstrate this potential including LEAFT - the Lincoln University spin-off producing innovative plant-based proteins.
Find out more about LEAFT Foods.
Throughout the strategy, there’s a strong emphasis on sustainability and future-focused thinking. The Economic Development Strategy is not just about economic growth; it’s about building a resilient community that thrives amidst change and uncertainty, recognising the interconnectedness of economic success with community wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
“It’s about meaningful sustainable change as we move into the future,” says Kidd.
A Bright Future for Selwyn
To ensure accountability and ongoing progress, the Council has established an Economic Development Committee to monitor council-related activity associated with the strategy. The strategy’s success will be measured through indicators including job growth, employment levels, innovation in terms of business growth and productivity, and sustainability outcomes. Additionally, a cross-sector steering group comprising business leaders will work alongside the Council and help drive projects.
As the strategy moves from planning to implementation, the Council is calling on businesses, residents, and stakeholders to engage with the vision and play their part in shaping the district’s economic future.
With its focus on innovation, sustainability, and community collaboration, the Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy sets Selwyn on a path to become a model for regional development in New Zealand and beyond.
The message is clear: Selwyn is open for business, open for ideas, and open for a future that balances economic growth with community well-being and environmental stewardship.
Read the full Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy here.