New figures from Infometrics show that Selwyn District is continuing to grow despite a broader national economic downturn, with gains in employment, consumer spending, tourism, and new developments.

The data, covering the year to March 2025, reveals Selwyn outperformed national averages across several indicators. Employment in the district rose 4.2 percent, while nationwide it fell by 0.9 percent. Jobseeker numbers in Selwyn sit at just 2 percent, compared to the national average of 6 percent.

Consumer spending in Selwyn increased by 3.1 percent, compared to a national decrease of 1.4 percent. The district’s GDP also grew by 0.8 percent, bucking the national trend of a 1.1 percent decline.

Selwyn District Council Chief Executive Sharon Mason said the district’s economy remains resilient despite wider financial pressures.

“The country is going through a difficult period with cost pressures on households and businesses, so we are really pleased to see that the Selwyn economy is proving to be robust,” she said.

Part of that strength is driven by continued population growth. In the March quarter alone, 323 new dwellings were consented, representing a 20 percent rise.

“Our new arrivals have a strong positive impact on the district’s economy as they bring new jobs, new money and contribute to a strong pipeline for local builders,” said Mason. “As a council we are working hard to finetune our systems to make the building and consenting processes as smooth as possible.”

Tourism is also playing a growing role. International visitor spending in Selwyn jumped 18 percent over the past year, more than double the national increase of 7.7 percent.

“We are really pleased to see that figure, as destination management is increasingly important and one of the key priorities in our Economic Development Strategy,” Mason said. “The Council is working hard to promote Selwyn as a destination, and we see enormous potential and growth opportunities for our local tourism industry.”

The agricultural sector is also expected to provide an extra boost, with lamb and beef prices rising 10 and 15 percent respectively, and dairy prices hitting record highs.

“It is terrific to see our farmers doing well, as Selwyn has historically been heavily dependent on their success,” said Mason. “But it is encouraging to see that our district experiences growth across all sectors.”