Darfield, New Zealand

Darfield
Minor urban area
Darfield sign on New Zealand State Highway 73, the main street of Darfield
Coordinates: 43°29′S 172°07′E / 43.483°S 172.117°E / -43.483; 172.117
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury
Territorial authority	Selwyn District
Ward	Malvern
Community	Malvern
Electorates	Selwyn Te Tai Tonga (Māori) [1]
Government
• Territorial authority	Selwyn District Council
• Regional council	Environment Canterbury
• Mayor of Selwyn	Sam Broughton
• Selwyn MP	Nicola Grigg
• Te Tai Tonga MP	Tākuta Ferris
Area [2]
• Total	17.58 km2 (6.79 sq mi)
Elevation	205 m (673 ft)
Population  (June 2024)[3]
• Total	3,400
• Density	190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)	7510
Area code	03
Local iwi	Ngāi Tahu

Darfield is a town in the Selwyn District of the South Island of New Zealand. It is 35 kilometres west of Christchurch. Its population is 3,400 as of June 2024.^[3]

Darfield is the main town between Christchurch and the West Coast region. It is often called "The township under the nor'west arch" in reference to a characteristic weather phenomenon that often creates an arch of cloud in an otherwise clear sky to the west of the township. This is caused by the condensation of water particles channelled upwards over the Southern Alps.

Darfield lies in the Malvern district's arable and pastoral farming area. It is a gateway to the scenic Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers and the Southern Alps, and is also a popular lift-off place for hot air ballooning.

Darfield is located around the former junction of the railway lines coming from Christchurch and going to Whitecliffs (where coal was mined) and Springfield and on to the West Coast.