Darfield, New Zealand

Darfield
A brown sign on the side of the road says "Darfield". Several cars are parked on the side of the road. Trees are visible to the left and buildings in the distance.
Darfield sign on New Zealand State Highway 73, the main street of Darfield
Map
Coordinates: 43°29′S 172°07′E / 43.483°S 172.117°E / -43.483; 172.117
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
WardMalvern
CommunityMalvern
Electorates[1]
Government
 • Territorial authoritySelwyn District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of SelwynSam Broughton
 • Selwyn MPNicola Grigg
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total17.58 km2 (6.79 sq mi)
Elevation
205 m (673 ft)
Population
 (June 2024)[3]
 • Total3,400
 • Density190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
7510
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi 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.

  1. ^ "Electorate Boundaries". Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.