Leeston

Leeston
Town
Location of Leeston
Coordinates: 43°46′S 172°18′E / 43.767°S 172.300°E / -43.767; 172.300
CountryNew Zealand
IslandSouth Island
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
WardEllesmere
Electorates
Government
  Territorial authoritySelwyn District Council
  Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
  Mayor of SelwynSam Broughton
  Selwyn MPNicola Grigg
  Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
  Total
2.44 km2 (0.94 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)
  Total
2,350
  Density960/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
7632
Local iwiNgāi 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.