two farmers picking from a row of plants, one passing produce to the other to place in a basket

The strength of Selwyn’s economy has been underlined, as it continues to perform well, driven by strong primary sector returns.

The latest Infometrics quarterly report shows Selwyn’s economy remains resilient, with GDP growing 1.9% in the year to December 2025, driven by strong agricultural commodity prices, particularly dairy, sheep, and beef. Nationally, the economy grew by 0.4%.

The dairy payout for Selwyn farmers is forecast to reach approximately $780 million for the 2024/25 season, up 35% on the previous year. The report shows that these increasing agricultural returns are fueling confidence among residents, with consumer spending up 4.2% compared to a 1% drop nationally.

Employment rose by 3.3% over the year compared to a national decline of 1.2%, while the total number of businesses in Selwyn increased 3.6% over the year.

“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,” Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon says.

The figures also show Selwyn remains a popular place to live. The district has the lowest crime rate in the country at 85 cases per 10,000 people, while the number of people building and buying houses in Selwyn continues to rise, with residential consents up 32.7% and house sales rising 21.9%.

“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,” Mayor Gliddon says.

Last modified: 26 Feb 2026 2:13pm