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Civic Pride and Duty in Ellesmere
Description
NameCivic Pride and Duty
DescriptionWelcome to the collection of stories around the governance of Ellesmere, through the heritage panel at the tuna (eel) sculpture at Leeston.
Ellesmere was initially governed by the Canterbury Association, replaced in 1853 by the Canterbury Provincial Council.
Focused local government in Ellesmere began with the formation in 1864 of the South Rakaia Road Board, soon renamed Ellesmere Road Board. Its main role was to drain swamps and develop roads and bridges, as well as developing a water race system to provide water for livestock in the drier parts of the district.
The North Rakaia River Board of Conservators was formed in 1872 to manage flooding from the Rakaia River. This became part of the North Canterbury Catchment Board in 1944, whose work included dealing with the flooding in the lower Selwyn river as well as maintaining the levels of Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere. Since 1989 Environment Canterbury has done this work. Other specialised governance bodies included the Ellesmere Domain Board of 1878.
When Provincial Councils were abolished in 1876, the first Selwyn County Council governed the wider district, a large area between the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers, including around Christchurch City. In 1911 the Ellesmere County Council replaced the Road Board and in 1959, amalgamated with the Town Boards of Southbridge (1885) and Leeston (1922). The Council amalgamated further in 1963 when the Springs County Council and the Rakaia riding of the second Selwyn County were added.
New Zealand-wide changes to local government in 1989 saw the Ellesmere, Malvern and part of Paparua County Councils merge to form the present Selwyn District Council.Date2024
DescriptionWelcome to the collection of stories around the governance of Ellesmere, through the heritage panel at the tuna (eel) sculpture at Leeston.Ellesmere was initially governed by the Canterbury Association, replaced in 1853 by the Canterbury Provincial Council.
Focused local government in Ellesmere began with the formation in 1864 of the South Rakaia Road Board, soon renamed Ellesmere Road Board. Its main role was to drain swamps and develop roads and bridges, as well as developing a water race system to provide water for livestock in the drier parts of the district.
The North Rakaia River Board of Conservators was formed in 1872 to manage flooding from the Rakaia River. This became part of the North Canterbury Catchment Board in 1944, whose work included dealing with the flooding in the lower Selwyn river as well as maintaining the levels of Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere. Since 1989 Environment Canterbury has done this work. Other specialised governance bodies included the Ellesmere Domain Board of 1878.
When Provincial Councils were abolished in 1876, the first Selwyn County Council governed the wider district, a large area between the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers, including around Christchurch City. In 1911 the Ellesmere County Council replaced the Road Board and in 1959, amalgamated with the Town Boards of Southbridge (1885) and Leeston (1922). The Council amalgamated further in 1963 when the Springs County Council and the Rakaia riding of the second Selwyn County were added.
New Zealand-wide changes to local government in 1989 saw the Ellesmere, Malvern and part of Paparua County Councils merge to form the present Selwyn District Council.
Date2024Image
Collection
Attribution
Civic Pride and Duty in Ellesmere (2024). Selwyn Stories, accessed 19/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6193
