Decorative photo The increasingly diverse roots of who we are as a community in Waikirikiri Selwyn will be celebrated at CultureFest this year.

The event at the Lincoln Event Centre reflects a vibrant and evolving community, where nearly one in four residents were born overseas, and the mix of cultures, languages, and traditions is more dynamic than ever. From street food to traditional dance, CultureFest is a celebration of the many threads that make up the fabric of Waikirikiri Selwyn.

Crowds of over 5000 people are expected to gather at the popular free-entry family event on Sunday 14 Crowds of over 5000 people are expected to gather at the popular free-entry family event on Sunday 14 September 10am-3pm to enjoy over 30 food stalls sharing flavours from around the world, have a go dance and sports events, market stalls, fairground rides and over 20 performance groups.

September 10am-3pm to enjoy over 30 stalls sharing food from around the world, have a go dance and sports events, market stalls and over 20 performance groups.

The foods, performances, sports and other activities reflect the growing diversity of the district, with the most recent census showing almost one in four residents (24.1%) was born outside of New Zealand, while one in three young people (aged under 25) identified their ethnicity as non-European (Māori, Pacific Peoples, Asian, MELAA or Other).

This year people from 57 different countries have become citizens at Council citizenship ceremonies, with the largest numbers coming from South Africa, India and The Philippines.  The growing diversity is a sign the secret of Waikirikiri Selwyn is out, Council Executive Director Community Services and Facilities Denise Kidd says.

“For a few years we have been the most popular place in the country for Kiwis to move to and we are seeing a growing number of people from around the world recognising that Waikirikiri Selwyn is a great place to call home. Each group brings a vibrancy to our community. CultureFest is a celebration of that in food, dance, music, sports and other fun.”

Presly McRae from the Canterbury Solomon Islands Association says CultureFest is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy this diversity. It is also important for the group of 10 from the association who will be performing for their third year.

“CultureFest is a good way to showcase our culture to others. It’s very important. We’re far away from our home; we don’t really have that many other Solomon Islands people here, so it keeps our children involved in the culture, to know their roots, where their ancestors are from and what these dances are about.”

The group will be performing three dances from different cultures across the island nation, including Presly’s personal favourite shield dance, using traditional hunting weapons and shields.

The celebrations will continue for two weeks following the main CultureFest event with the return of the community events series featuring screening of cinema from around the world, dance nights, women and girls pool nights, and more.

Diversity statistics for Waikirikiri Selwyn from 2023 census

  • 84.1% residents identifying as European (down from 87% in 2018)
  • 11.4% identified as Asian, 9% as Māori, 2.4% as Pacific Peoples and 1.5% Middle Eastern.
  • 7.9%  district’s population born in Asia compared to 3.6% in 2018
  • 32.9% Selwyn residents aged 25 and under identify their ethnicity as non-European compared to 20.4% among over 25’s
  • 24.3% residents of the Whitecliffs area born overseas. Other Selwyn townships with one in five residents born overseas including Kirwee (20.3%), Springfield (20.6%) and Springston (20%)

Pictured: Presly McRae in action at CultureFest 2024.

Last modified: 28 Aug 2025 3:34pm