Selwyn’s rural economy has continued to underpin strong growth across the district, with new figures showing resilience despite weaker national performance.

The latest Infometrics quarterly report showed Selwyn’s GDP grew 1.9% in the year to December 2025, significantly ahead of the national increase of 0.4%. The growth was largely driven by strong agricultural commodity prices, particularly dairy, sheep, and beef.

The dairy payout for Selwyn farmers was forecast to reach about $780 million for the 2024/25 season, representing a 35% increase on the previous year. Rising farm incomes also appeared to boost local confidence, with consumer spending up 4.2% compared with a 1% decline nationally.

Employment across the district rose 3.3% over the year, while nationally employment fell 1.2%. The number of businesses operating in Selwyn also increased, climbing 3.6% over the same period.

Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said the figures reinforced the central role agriculture played in the district’s prosperity.

“Farming is at the heart of Selwyn. These figures reinforce the importance that agriculture has in our community, giving a good foundation for our economy to build from,” Gliddon said.

The report also pointed to continued population and housing growth, with Selwyn maintaining the lowest recorded crime rate in the country at 85 cases per 10,000 people. Residential consents rose 32.7%, while house sales increased 21.9%, reflecting strong demand for housing.

“These figures show our ongoing growth and some of the reasons why people continue to see us as a great place to live. As a Council, our focus is on ensuring we have the right services and supports to keep what is good, while balancing the costs and needs of our rural and urban communities,” Gliddon said.