Selwyn Huts

Selwyn Huts
Rural settlement
Selwyn Huts in August 2023
Selwyn Huts in August 2023
Interactive map of Selwyn Huts
Coordinates: 43°42′58″S 172°26′28″E / 43.716°S 172.441°E / -43.716; 172.441
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
WardEllesmere
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authoritySelwyn District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of SelwynLydia Gliddon
 • Selwyn MPNicola Grigg
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total
0.13 km2 (0.050 sq mi)
Elevation
15 m (49 ft)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
90
 • Density690/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Area code03

Selwyn Huts, also called Upper Selwyn Huts, is a rural settlement close to the northern shore of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora in the Selwyn District of New Zealand. Lower Selwyn Huts is a smaller settlement 2.8 km further south.

The settlement consists of private dwellings on public land, and has existed since 1895. Residents pay an annual licensing fee for use of the land.

Selwyn District Council warned in 2019 that it intended to evict the residents within the next 20 years, partly due to threats from climate change. Hut owners were also expected to pay 30 percent of the $4 million wastewater upgrade. In 2024, the council put the eviction process on hold while further discussion was held with the residents. In 2026, the council gave the residents a 30-year Deed of Licence. It also agreed that the water upgrade would be included in the district rates. Lower Selwyn Huts have a 10-year notice to leave.

Lower Selwyn Huts was affected by flooding in 2021. Upper Selwyn Huts was affected by flooding in 2025.

Demographics

Selwyn Huts is described as a rural settlement by Stats NZ. It covers 0.13 km2 (0.050 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 90 as of June 2025, with a population density of 692 people per km2. Selwyn Huts is part of the Irwell statistical area.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200681—    
201360−4.20%
201890+8.45%
202393+0.66%
Source:

Selwyn Huts had a population of 93 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 3 people (3.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 33 people (55.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 51 males, 45 females, and 3 people of other genders in 60 dwellings. 3.2% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 59.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 9 people (9.7%) aged under 15 years, 6 (6.5%) aged 15 to 29, 48 (51.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (35.5%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.8% European (Pākehā), 9.7% Māori, and 6.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori by 3.2%, and other languages by 6.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.

The sole religious affiliation given was 32.3% Christian. People who answered that they had no religion were 61.3%, and 6.5% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 42 (50.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 33 (39.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $25,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 24 (28.6%) full-time, 6 (7.1%) part-time, and 6 (7.1%) unemployed.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Selwyn - Official Result". www.electionresults.govt.nz. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 29 September 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ↑ Harriss, Gavin (July 2021). "NZ Topo Map" (Map). Selwyn Huts, Canterbury.
  7. ↑ Mitchell, Charlie (2 March 2019). "Historic community at Selwyn Huts in climate change limbo". Stuff.
  8. ↑ Bolger, Devon (31 March 2020). "A 'complete joke': Canterbury community reacts to 70% fee hike". Otago Daily Times.
  9. 1 2 "'We stood firm': Selwyn Huts residents celebrate 'right to live peacefully'". 1News. 30 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Upper Selwyn Huts residents get reprieve from future eviction". Radio New Zealand. 24 July 2024.
  11. ↑ Girao, Luisa (16 June 2026). "After a decade of fighting, Upper Selwyn Huts residents celebrate end to water dispute". The Press.
  12. ↑ Jacobs, Maxine (10 April 2026). "'Here to the bitter end': Lower Selwyn Huts have 10 years left, then they have to leave the lakeside". The Press.
  13. ↑ Porter, Nadine (2 June 2021). "Race against time to save tiny Selwyn Huts community bracing for more flooding". Stuff.
  14. ↑ Leask, Jonathan; Sargent, Anna (1 May 2025). "'As bad as it gets': Selwyn District in State of Emergency as wild weather lashes country". RNZ.
  15. ↑ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural Areas – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Selwyn Huts (2141). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7026938.
  18. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.