Selwyn in Focus - Cr Sarah Barnsley

04/06/2026

60 seconds, 5 questions, easy. Follow the link and let us know what you think.
The government is requiring change, and how that change looks for us as a district, needs to be determined by us, the people of our district. So have a think about the proposal, what it could mean for you and your family, and share your views with us.
Thanks for giving us 60 seconds on this!

13/05/2026

The devil is in the detail.
The top line submissions feedback from our communities is in. Now, we need to understand what’s behind the percentages, by listening to oral submissions over the next couple of days and reading each and every written submission. This gives us a deeper understanding behind the percentages, the ‘why’.
Early reading shows that decisions like this are polarising, our community needs cover a broad spectrum. What’s important to a young working family is completely different to a retired couple, yet they both should be able to live well in Selwyn. Therein lies the challenge!
It is a privilege to be in this role, to have the opportunity to properly consider our community voice as we deliberate and shape the final 26/27 Annual Plan for our district.
There’ll be more to come on the Annual Plan in the coming weeks…

03/05/2026

261.
Too many lives lost. All preventable. Less distractions, less speed, more awareness.
Let’s get everyone’s loved ones home safely, today, this week and every week.

25/04/2026

A stunning morning as we remembered with respect those servicemen and women who gave their lives for our freedoms. It was a privilege to lead the Tai Tapu community service this morning. It is always a wonderful gathering of this special community in front of the War Memorial Cenotaph. The names of those who lost their lives in the Great War are found on the War Memorial Arch at the entrance to Rhodes Park.

Thank you to Springs RSA President Warren Norton, Chaplain John Sheat, Bugler Stephen Reid, Tai Tapu school principal Amanda Clarkson and head students George, Charlie, Annie and Jasmine, Tai Tapu PTA and the Guides and service men and woman who joined us for our service.

Lest we forget.

17/04/2026

It’s Poppy season! And a beaut day for it in Kā Puna Springs.

Collecting for the Springs and Templeton RSAs today and Saturday prior to our community services next Saturday.

See you at West Melton Four Square Friday arvo, Lincoln Market Saturday morning and Prebbleton Fresh Choice Saturday arvo, or make your donation wherever you see the Poppy Appeal logo.

🕊️ANZAC community services in Selwyn Saturday 25th:
- Burnham 6am
- Arthur’s Pass 7am
- Sheffield-Waddington 8am
- Dunsandel 8.30am
- Darfield 8.45am
- Tai Tapu 8.45am
- Mead 9am
- Prebbleton 9am
- Glentunnel 9.30am
- West Melton 9.45am
- Ellesmere (Leeston) 10.30am
- Springston 10.30am
- Hororata 11am
- Rolleston 11am
- Springfield 11am
- Kirwee 12pm
- Greendale 2pm
- Lincoln 2pm

Do come along to join your community in remembering those whose own sacrifice secured the freedom and liberty that we enjoy today.

Lest we forget.

09/04/2026

We’re on the look out for an exceptional CE to lead council operations. Please share!

29/03/2026

Thanks Sophie - totally agree that it’s important that we pull all the levers that we can, and continue to lobby for greater control of growth so that pressure on infrastructure development (read debt) can be managed more effectively for our district.

24/03/2026

Today was a great day - fantastic IoD Governance Essentials all day which gave us some really useful reminders about key priorities as Governors and loads of useful discussion time with our learning cohort.
Then this evening was my inaugural meeting with the Summit Road Protection Authority and Summit Road Protection Authority Advisory Committee. Fun fact - did you know that the Summit Road is the only road in New Zealand that has its own piece of controlling legislation? Yup sure does. Its purpose is to protect and preserve the Summit Road, while providing for facilities to improve the enjoyment of it, from Gebbies Pass in the South all the way through to Godley Head in the East.
The Summit Road crosses into Selwyn District at the top of Kennedy's Bush Track and continues to Ahuriri Bush Reserve. Here's the link to the Act for your interest! https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/local/2001/3/en/latest/

Meanwhile back at HQ, Mayor Lydia, supported by Councillors Big Red (WN) and MacLeod, was doing a cracking job of summarising the Annual Plan and answering some curly questions. The link is below if you want to take a look. The questions have been added to the Annual Plan Consultation page on the SDC website.

https://www.youtube.com/live/86qfyN9YnAQ?si=y2y5Ih3Gq1wXxRHm

See you at Lincoln Event Centre Monday 31st March or Prebbleton Community Hall April 14th for our Kā Puna Springs Annual Plan consultation events. West Melton - we're working on a date to get over to the West. TBC ASAP.

As always, please get in touch if I can assist: 027 364 3161; [email protected]

Consultation is now open on Selwyn’s Annual Plan. Join us for our online community and find out what Council has proposed, how it could help ease pressure on...

18/03/2026

Pop in and have a chat at any of our Annual Plan consultation community events coming to a venue near you. For our Kā Puna Springs residents, I'll see you at Lincoln Event Centre on 30 March or Lincoln Market 18 April.

More dates are being confirmed (Prebbleton and West Melton) so keep an eye out.

As ever, if you have any questions on the Annual Plan, please flick me an email [email protected] or give me a call 027 364 3161.

About the Annual Plan The Annual Plan outlines what Selwyn District Council wants to achieve in the next financial year from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and how that work will be funded. It is part of the Council’s planning cycle. During the last local body elections