Rolleston: A glimpse into the City of the Future
Selwyn District Council media release: 6th August 2024
Rolleston has undergone a period of radical growth in the last 30 years and it shows no sign of stopping—it's been New Zealand's fastest-growing town for several years running and is expected to grow by another 40 per cent over the next 25 years.
But what sets Rolleston apart is not just its rapid expansion, but the thoughtful, future-focused approach it takes to that growth. And as it grows, it's positioning itself as a model New Zealand city well-suited for the 21st century and beyond.
Rolleston Fields and Urban Development
Comprehensive infrastructure investments underscore the region’s future readiness and have become key attractions:
- the Selwyn Health Hub;
- Foster Park - the largest sport and recreation park in Selwyn District;
- the Selwyn Aquatic Centre;
- Rolleston Reserve; and
- Rolleston Fields - an $85m mixed-use shopping precinct, helping shape the town’s future as a dynamic urban centre.
Rolleston Fields is situated on Tennyson Street and offers a diverse array of shopping, dining, and leisure options - exemplifying how well-planned design can create forward-thinking spaces that cater to both locals and visitors alike.
In collaboration with Lilly Cooper and Caroline Cooper-Dixon of Cooper Developments, the Council has worked to establish Rolleston Fields as a contemporary town centre capable of serving the community for generations. The centrepiece of the project is Te Ara Ātea - a state-of-the-art library, community, and performance complex designed by the renowned firm Warren and Mahoney.
Recent developments include a covered arbour centrepiece that will serve as a community hub for year-round events, new retail and office spaces, and a youth zone, featuring a skate park (designed by Kiwi skateboarding icon Dave North), and sports areas.
Building Partnerships
The project is a good demonstration of the fact that Rolleston's transformation is a collaborative effort requiring input from a wide range of stakeholders, including local government, developers, community organisations, and educational institutions.
Justin McDonald is the director of Urban Estates/Que Homes and praises the Council's openness to new ideas and willingness to collaborate with developers.
"We've been very lucky over the years to have had such a good relationship with the Council," Justin says.
"Many local governments are under a lot of pressure right now, but the Council is doing a great job overall." This statement underscores the regular interactions and collaborations between Urban Estates and the Council.
Que Homes was founded in 2012 in response to high demand for new builds and Urban Estates was established five years later as the land development division. Since then, they’ve become a significant developer in the Selwyn area, with projects across Broadfield Grange, Prebbleton's Hamptons, and work in Izone, the award-winning industrial and business zone on the northern edge of Rolleston.
Justin says that he and other community leaders recognise the ambition and focused effort of the Selwyn District Council in supporting Rolleston's growth.
“The Selwyn District Council is very ambitious and is making good progress with a range of initiatives,” he says. “That collaborative spirit extends to strategic planning discussions through initiatives like the Business Leaders Forum, which brings together business leaders and partners from large organisations across Selwyn to share insights and visions for the district's future.”
The council's commitment to Rolleston is evident in its commitment to enhancing the town's infrastructure and quality of life. From expanding public amenities to investing in community programs, the council's actions reflect a genuine dedication to fostering growth and well-being. Justin particularly praises the Council's work on Rolleston Fields as a positive example of SDC's projects that align with the interests of Urban Estates.
Looking to the future, Justin says that the Council’s ability to plan for the long-term and balance affordability and quality in housing developments is a shared strategic interest and will be crucial to support continued growth.
“We need to make sure that we actually have enough development moving forward,” he says. “We need that section availability to keep the price point at a place where you can actually get first-time buyers into the market.”
“The Ministry of Education is doing amazing with the amount of schools they have in the pipeline for the future and I think the Council is doing great in regards to all of the amenities that they're putting in. It’s one of the wealthiest councils in New Zealand, so we've got to invest that back into the community and thinking, not just to 2050, but up to 2100 and beyond.”
“Our goal needs to be creating spaces that not only meet the needs of today but also anticipate the demands of tomorrow."
Making Connections
With a focus on sustainable growth and urban planning, the Council envisions Rolleston as a self-sufficient city-like entity, reducing dependency on Christchurch for services and amenities.
In the interest of improving connectivity, one of the flagship projects is the creation of a direct flyover connecting Rolleston township with business/industrial areas, providing improved safety at high-risk highway intersections and a more resilient and sustainable transport network. This infrastructure upgrade will facilitate smoother traffic flow and enhance accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
By investing in quality infrastructure — and fostering the elements that make the region unique — Rolleston can carve out its own identity, and become a destination in its own right, says Justin.
“We need to think big and create attractions that people will travel to see,” he says. “Looking at the current trends in the world, we see a greater emphasis on the arts, abstract concepts, and sculptural elements. That’s what we need here. Introducing artistic and cultural elements could be the key to drawing visitors and giving them a reason to come and explore.”
As the region continues to evolve, it offers a lesson for other urban areas facing rapid growth: by committing to forward-thinking urban planning, resilience, and long-term community well-being, councils can do more than just prepare for the future—they can actively shape it. The collaborative relationship between Urban Estates and the Selwyn District Council, characterised by open communication, openness to new ideas and alignment on long-term visions, serves as a model for how developers and local governments can work together to create thriving communities.