Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn

Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn will shape and inform all decisions and investment that Council makes. This includes guiding plans, policies, bylaws, direction and guidance. The next step is to develop Area Plans, which will provide more detailed information and direction on future growth and development of the district. Visit web strategy.

The projects contained within the Area Plans will be implemented through subsequent Long-Term Plans. As Area Plans are spatial plans, non-spatial actions will be identified and implemented through other instruments, including changes to the District Plan and/or non-statutory plans and policies.

Ko te takata, ko te oraka, ko te āpōpō o Waikirikiri

Our people, our wellbeing, our tomorrow.

Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn is our long-term strategic approach to intergenerational wellbeing, sustainability, resilience, growth, change and development in Waikirikiri Selwyn. It is a long-term, future-focused strategy that provides the strategic and spatial direction for navigating our future.

Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn will play a pivotal role in determining how our district grows, develops, and invests in its various areas and towns. It will guide the work that we do and the projects we plan to deliver for our community.

It shares a vision for the future, strategic outcomes or things we need to achieve to get there and strategic priorities, the things we need to focus on to achieve the outcomes.

Introduction

Waikirikiri Selwyn is a special place, and we’ve seen in the last few years that more and more people are waking up to that and want to take advantage of the great location, lifestyle, and amenities we have here.

In fact, the latest census data shows us that Waikirikiri Selwyn is the fastest growing district in the country with a 29% increase in resident population between 2018 and 2023. The district’s population is projected to hit 140,000 as early as 2050, so the Council has created this long-term strategic vision – Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn – to navigate this incredible growth.

With this growth comes exciting challenges. We must now plan ahead to protect the things that people treasure about our district while planning for and managing this increasing growth. We must continue to build community and make sure we create a special place for ourselves and our future generations to thrive.

Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn is our roadmap for the future and now we want to hear your thoughts on it.

As the fastest-growing district in the country, Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn is vital to making sure our district grows in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come. It's about building vibrant, resilient communities that are well-connected and in tune with our natural environment. This strategy will help us embrace new opportunities and innovations while celebrating our heritage. It's our roadmap to a future where everyone in Selwyn can thrive.

Sam Broughton
Mayor of Selwyn District

Te Rautaki | The Strategy

At the heart of Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn is Te Rautaki | The Strategy.

This provides the direction we need to navigate our future for a better Waikirikiri Selwyn.

Te Aka ā-Rautaki | Strategic Framework

Te Aka ā-Rautaki | The Strategic Framework sets out Ō Mātou Wawata Pae Tawhiti | Our Long-Term Aspirations for Waikirikiri Selwyn, guided by Kā Putaka Matua | Main Outcomes, Kā Putaka | Supporting Outcomes and Kā Ahuka | Directions.

Main Outcomes, Supporting Outcomes and Directions

Kā Putaka | Outcomes define and express our aspirations. Kā Putaka | Outcomes ensure that we are clear on what we want to achieve and if we are making progress. Kā Putaka Matua | Main Outcomes are supported by Kā Putaka | Supporting Outcomes. Kā Putaka | Supporting Outcomes are more detailed and specific, with the purpose of contributing towards Kā Putaka Matua | Main Outcomes. Kā Putaka | Supporting Outcomes contain Kā Ahuka | Directions that set out what we all need to do to achieve our aspirations.

Strategic Priorities

Kā Whakaarotau ā-Rautaki | Strategic Priorities set out where we will focus our efforts in order to unlock opportunities to make progress towards the vision and deliver on multiple outcomes of Te Aka ā-Rautaki | the Strategic Framework. These will guide detailed spatial planning as part of the Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn Area Plans.

Our homes and neighbourhoods are the foundation of our wellbeing. Everyone deserves to live in a safe, warm, dry and healthy home they can afford. We need to ensure we have not only enough homes, but that our homes meet the diverse needs of our communities over time. Housing must provide for greater choice in the places people want to live. It must be accessible, diverse, sustainable and affordable.

Our blue-green network is a series of spaces and corridors that connects water bodies, parks, green areas and the coast. Elements include streams, stormwater drains, and wetlands, as well as trees, reserves and greenways. The network is of immense value to us and benefits our wellbeing. A blue-green approach better reflects ki uta ki tai, which requires a whole-of-system view of the environment.

Infrastructure is made up of layers of connected systems and networks that deliver services we need to provide for our wellbeing. Our infrastructure includes water, waste, energy, transport, telecommunications, airports and ports. It represents some of our longest lived and expensive assets, and requires a coordinated system-wide approach to unlock our full potential.

Our people and communities are at the heart of Waikirikiri Selwyn. They deserve a place where they feel connected, supported, included and empowered to reach their potential. We need to ensure all people can live fulfilling lives into the future. Education, health, arts, culture, heritage, safety, community facilities, venues, events, sport and recreation support intergenerational wellbeing.

Transport includes all the networks and systems that allow us to get where we need to go. Without it we couldn’t get to work or school, connect with people, spend time in our communities, or access businesses and markets. Our transport system includes the vehicles we use, the physical network, digital technologies, and transport services. Our transport lifts productivity and supports our wellbeing.

Our economy is where we do business, produce goods and services, create, innovate, grow our knowledge, attract investment, and use our skills and talents. A thriving economy is essential for our wellbeing and shared prosperity. It needs to be inclusive, productive, sustainable and resilient to provide better job opportunities, higher wages, and a higher standard of living for our people and communities.

Community Consultation

We have developed the Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn strategy based on findings from community input that informed the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan, and previous engagement as part of our Long-term Plans (2021-31 and 2024-34).

Your feedback has been vital in developing this strategy. You told us you valued strong planning to enable smart growth, being proactive to prepare for growth, to protect our unique environment and lifestyle, and connect our communities.

Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn now offers an evidence-based strategic framework tailored for the Selwyn region, detailing its pathway for sustainable growth and development into the future.

We carried out a consultation process with our community in July/August 2024 to make sure we were on the right track with our vision for the district's future. We wanted to hear whether the vision is reflected in our strategy and if the community agreed with our direction for township growth and connection. We also welcomed additional comments on any aspects that the community may have thought was missing from our strategy.

The Council adopted Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn on 23 October, which sets out a plan for the next 50-100 years vision to grow a district that is liveable, innovative, connected district, filled with opportunity and prosperity.

We asked for feedback on the following four sections:

Te Aka ā-Rautaki | Strategic Framework

The strategic framework sets out our aspiration for Waikirikiri Selwyn over the next 50-100 years. This is guided by a vision, spirit, strategic outcomes and directions. We want to know whether you think we’ve captured all the things that make Selwyn liveable, prosperous and connected, and whether our vision aligns with your hopes for our district of the future.

Kā Whakaarotau ā-Rautaki | Strategic Priorities

Our six strategic priorities will set out where we will focus our efforts in order to reach our vision and deliver on outcomes of our Strategic Framework. These priorities will guide detailed spatial planning as part of the Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn Area Plans. We want to know if you think we’ve captured the key priorities that will help us achieve our vision.

Te Ahuka ā-Āhua Tāone | Urban Form Direction

Our Urban Form Direction will set out where our buildings will go and how they are laid out. This will include housing types, street types and how they sit in the environment. It includes the location, density and design of homes, workplaces, schools, parks and other community facilities, as well as the transport networks that connect them. We want to know your thoughts on the vision for our future towns and neighbourhoods, and how they will be connected.

Te Kiteka Takiwā | District Picture

Our district picture is an interactive map that visually shows how our Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn Strategic Framework will be put into action. This map gives an overview of the planned direction for our all of Waikirikiri Selwyn and we want to know if this big picture aligns with your views and ideas for Selwyn’s growth and development.

For detailed information on how the consultation process was carried out, go to the Submissions & Hearings Page.

You can visit our interactive website at www.selwyn.govt.nz/future.

For more information on Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn please contact our team on strategy@selwyn.govt.nz