Waikirkiri Selwyn Area Plan Early Engagement Summary

The Why

Area Plans are non-statutory spatial plans that give focused direction for the growth and sustainable management of Selwyn’s townships. They shape how communities will develop through to 2031 and beyond, feeding into Long-Term Plans, District Plan changes, and council projects.

As part of Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn — a new strategic framework for the district — Selwyn District Council set out to update existing Area Plans for Ellesmere and Malvern and create a new plan for Eastern Selwyn. To begin, they launched My Future Town, a district-wide engagement initiative to gather input from residents, organisations, and stakeholders on what they value most about their communities, and the changes they want to see over the next 30–50 years.

The challenge was to capture all of this consultation — spread across workshops, surveys, and community conversations — in a way that was approachable, clear, and faithful to the voice of the people. The output was the 134-page Waikirkiri Selwyn Area Plan Early Engagement Summary, a foundational document that would both reflect back to the community what was heard, and guide strategic planning across six key priorities: housing, infrastructure, transport, blue-green networks, people and communities, and economy.

The How

Working with Selwyn District Council and building from the established My Future Town brand identity, I designed the full Early Engagement Summary report. My role was to bring structure, clarity, and visual storytelling to a large-scale, content-heavy document.

Key elements included:

• Custom infographics — translating survey data, workshop outputs, and community priorities into clear, digestible visuals.

• Illustrations — adding warmth and character to the report, helping community members see themselves reflected in the material.

• Consistent design system — ensuring the 134-page document felt cohesive, easy to navigate, and aligned with the My Future Town identity.

• Accessibility — creating clear hierarchy, headings, and visual anchors to make the report usable for both everyday readers and council decision-makers.

The result was a summary that not only documented the consultation process but also respected the voices of the people who took part, turning complex planning content into something tangible and engaging.

The Wow

The Waikirkiri Selwyn Area Plan Early Engagement Summary gave Selwyn District Council a polished, community-facing resource to close the feedback loop with residents and support the next stage of Area Plan development.

By pairing data visualisation with storytelling, the report helped make abstract, long-term planning feel real and relevant — showing how the aspirations of the community connect directly to future housing, infrastructure, environment, and economic decisions.

For Selwyn District Council, the document is now a key tool in building trust, transparency, and shared ownership of the district’s future.