| Leeston | |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Coordinates: | -43.7667°N 190°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Island |
| Subdivision Type2: | Region |
| Subdivision Type3: | Territorial authority |
| Subdivision Type4: | Ward |
| Subdivision Name1: | South Island |
| Subdivision Name2: | Canterbury |
| Subdivision Name3: | Selwyn District |
| Subdivision Name4: | Ellesmere |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Leader Name: | Selwyn District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Environment Canterbury |
| Leader Title2: | Mayor of Selwyn |
| Leader Title3: | Selwyn MP |
| Leader Title4: | Te Tai Tonga MP |
| Area Total Km2: | 2.44 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Postal Code Type: | Postcode(s) |
| Postal Code: | 7632 |
| Timezone: | NZST |
| Utc Offset: | +12 |
| Timezone Dst: | NZDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +13 |
| Blank Name: | Local iwi |
| Blank Info: | Ngāi Tahu |
Leeston (Māori: Karumata) is a town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 30 kilometres southwest of Christchurch, between the shore of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora and the mouth of the Rakaia River. The town is home to a growing number of services which have increased and diversified along with the population. Leeston has a supermarket, schools (pre-school, primary school and high school), churches, hospital (for the elderly only), gym, cafes, restaurants, medical centre, pharmacy and post office. The Selwyn District Council currently has a service office in Leeston, after the headquarters was shifted to Rolleston.
Leeston is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area, and covers 2.44km2.[1] It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Leeston had a population of 2,208 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 669 people (43.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 882 people (66.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 828 households, comprising 1,083 males and 1,128 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 39.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 498 people (22.6%) aged under 15 years, 327 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 990 (44.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 390 (17.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.7% European/Pākehā, 9.9% Māori, 0.8% Pasifika, 2.0% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 15.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.5% had no religion, 35.1% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 240 (14.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 402 (23.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 294 people (17.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 927 (54.2%) people were employed full-time, 243 (14.2%) were part-time, and 42 (2.5%) were unemployed.
Harts creek is a spring-fed creek and wildlife reserve located 7 minutes drive from Leeston and is a popular place for short walks, picnics, fly fishing and bird watching. Restoration projects have resulted in a wildlife reserve with some of the clearest waters in the Ellesmere District.[2]
Bird life includes:
The Ellesmere A&P show is currently in its 147th year. It is held annually at the Leeston Agricultural and Pastoral Showgrounds. It is typically held in October and is one of the Selwyn Districts biggest events, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. Typical attractions include: farmyard displays, photography displays, craft stalls, sheep and wool displays, horse showing and jumping, dairy and beef cattle, wood chopping, trade displays, live music, vintage and modern machinery, dog trials, face painting, pony rides, shearing competitions, fair-ground rides, wine tasting, wearable arts and many more.
The Leeston District is home to three campsites, two situated on the banks of the Selwyn River, and one on the shores of Lake Ellesmere.
In May 2017, a community art gallery was opened in Leeston. It is Leeston's first art gallery.[5]
Leeston is home to a variety of different sporting clubs and has a weekly running club each Wednesday evening. Sporting clubs in Leeston include: Rugby, Netball, Tennis, Lawn Bowls, Soccer, Cricket and Running. Leeston also has a fully equipped gym, which is open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.[6]
Ellesmere College is a co-educational secondary school catering for years 7 to 13. It has a roll of students as of The school opened in 1981 to replace Southbridge District High School.[7]
Leeston Consolidated School is a co-educational contributing primary school catering for years 1 to 6. It has a roll of students (It opened in 1865, and gained the name "Consolidated" in recognition of primary schools in Lakeside, Irwell, Doyleston and Brookside with which it amalgamated in the 1930s.[8]