# Selwyn (New Zealand electorate)

Selwyn is a current electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives, composed of towns on the outskirts of Christchurch city. The electorate was first formed for the 1866 election and has been abolished three times during its history. It was last re-established for the 2008 election and has been held by Nicola Grigg for the National Party since the 2020 election.

## Region and population centres

The electorate is mainly rural, stretching from the Southern Alps to the Banks Peninsula, its borders broadly defined by the Rakaia River in the south and the Waimakariri River in the north. Major towns include Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, and Darfield, with smaller towns such as Tai Tapu, Leeston and Dunsandel. The electorate also includes parts of Christchurch city's territorial authority.

## History
### Existence and changes to area

An electorate called Selwyn existed between 1866 and 1919. A Selwyn electorate also existed between 1946 and 1972 and again from 1978 until it was absorbed by Rakaia for the first MMP election in 1996. The latest version of the Selwyn electorate was created for the 2008 election. This followed a review of electoral boundaries conducted after the 2006 Census, because of a general northwards population movement in the South Island. Even though the number of South Island electorates is fixed, the decline in the population of electorates from Rakaia south has resulted in the boundaries of electorates from Invercargill north to Rakaia shifting further northwards.
Due to the rapid growth of Selwyn relative to Christchurch (which lost population after the earthquakes), the 2013 redistribution had Selwyn losing Halswell and Westmorland to Port Hills and Harewood to Waimakariri while regaining the towns of Rakaia and Chertsey back from Rangitata. Data from the 2018 census showed Selywn's population had continued to grow – it had the largest discrepancy of any electorate – and so the electorate would need to lose further area for the 2020 boundaries. It shed an area around Hornby South to Wigram, the Banks Peninsula to the recreated Banks Peninsula, the area west of the Rakaia to Rangitata, and an area around Christchurch Airport to Ilam.

### Voting history

Edward Stevens was the electorate's first representative in 1866; he was returned elected unopposed.
The dominant topic for the 1875 election was the abolition of the Provinces. William Reeves, the incumbent, favoured the retention of the provincial system of government, while his opponent, Cecil Fitzroy, was an abolitionist. Fitzroy, who was 31 years old and 20 years Reeves' junior, narrowly won the election. Edward Lee acted as returning officer for the election.
In the 1879 election, John Hall was returned unopposed. In the 1881 election, Hall beat R. Lockhead by 467 to 169 votes.
In the 1890 election, Alfred Saunders, Thomas Hamilton Anson, and William Jerrington Popple received 536, 485 and 237 votes, respectively.
The electorate is one of the National Party's safest seats. National have held the seat, whenever it has existed since it was first recreated in 1946. In 2011, the candidate for the other major New Zealand party, Labour, received less than 11% of the electoral vote and came third, behind the Greens in the 2011 election. In that election, the only polling booths where Adams didn't receive the most votes were Arthur's Pass and Diamond Harbour.

### Members of Parliament

Key:
Independent  Conservative  Reform  Liberal  National  Green
| Election | Winner |
| 1866 election | Edward Stevens |
| 1871 election | William Reeves |
| 1875 election | Cecil Fitzroy |
| 1879 election | John Hall |
| 1881 election | John Hall |
| 1883 by-election | Edward Lee |
| 1884 by-election | Edward Wakefield |
| 1884 election | Edward Wakefield |
| 1887 election | John Hall |
| 1890 election | Alfred Saunders |
| 1893 election | Alfred Saunders |
| 1896 election | Cathcart Wason |
| 1899 election | Charles Hardy |
| 1902 election | Charles Hardy |
| 1905 election | Charles Hardy |
| 1908 election | Charles Hardy |
| 1911 election | William Dickie |
| 1914 election | William Dickie |
| (Electorate abolished 1919–1946) |||
| 1946 election | John McAlpine |
| 1949 election | John McAlpine |
| 1951 election | John McAlpine |
| 1954 election | John McAlpine |
| 1957 election | John McAlpine |
| 1960 election | John McAlpine |
| 1963 election | John McAlpine |
| 1966 election | Colin McLachlan |
| 1969 election | Colin McLachlan |
| (Electorate abolished 1972–1978, see Rakaia) |||
| 1978 election | Colin McLachlan |
| 1981 election | Ruth Richardson |
| 1984 election | Ruth Richardson |
| 1987 election | Ruth Richardson |
| 1990 election | Ruth Richardson |
| 1993 election | Ruth Richardson |
| 1994 by-election | David Carter |
| (Electorate abolished 1996–2008, see Banks Peninsula & Rakaia) |||
| 2008 election | Amy Adams |
| 2011 election | Amy Adams |
| 2014 election | Amy Adams |
| 2017 election | Amy Adams |
| 2020 election | Nicola Grigg |
| 2023 election | Nicola Grigg |

### List MPs

Members of Parliament elected from party lists in elections where that person also unsuccessfully contested the Selwyn electorate. Unless otherwise stated, all MPs terms began and ended at general elections.
| Election | Winner | Winner |
| 2011 election | | Eugenie Sage |

## Election results
### 2023 election

2023 general election results: Selwyn :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Y Nicola Grigg | Y Nicola Grigg | 31,504 | 65.42 | +15.87 | 23,959 | 49.27 | +15.26 |
| | Labour | Luke Jones | Luke Jones | 11,722 | 24.34 | -13.48 | 8,805 | 18.10 | -24.02 |
| | ACT | Ben Harvey | Ben Harvey | 2,822 | 5.86 | +1.40 | 5,895 | 12.12 | -0.44 |
| | NZ Loyal | Logan Courtney | Logan Courtney | 1,022 | 2.12 | | 430 | 0.88 | |
| | New Conservatives | Abe Coulter | Abe Coulter | 506 | 1.05 | -1.10 | 136 | 0.28 | -1.49 |
| | Green | | | | | | 4,340 | 8.93 | +4.06 |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 2,633 | 5.42 | +3.42 |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 1,037 | 2.69 | +1.38 |
| | Te Pāti Māori | | | | | | 235 | 0.48 | +0.34 |
| | NewZeal | | | | | | 225 | 0.46 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 184 | 0.38 | +0.18 |
| | Animal Justice | | | | | | 91 | 0.19 | |
| | DemocracyNZ | | | | | | 89 | 0.18 | |
| | Freedoms NZ | | | | | | 62 | 0.13 | |
| | Leighton Baker Party | | | | | | 41 | 0.08 | |
| | Women's Rights | | | | | | 39 | 0.08 | |
| | New Nation | | | | | | 30 | 0.06 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 578 | | | 119 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 48,154 | | | 48,624 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 19,782 | 41.08 | +29.35 | | | |

### 2020 election

2020 general election: Selwyn :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Nicola Grigg | Nicola Grigg | 20,986 | 49.55 | −16.31 | 14,616 | 34.01 | −25.00 |
| | Labour | Reuben Davidson | Reuben Davidson | 16,018 | 37.82 | +17.05 | 18,102 | 42.12 | +16.01 |
| | ACT | Stuart Armstrong | Stuart Armstrong | 1,890 | 4.46 | +4.01 | 5,396 | 12.56 | +12.10 |
| | Green | Abe O'Donnell | Abe O'Donnell | 1,749 | 4.13 | −2.23 | 2,092 | 4.87 | −0.44 |
| | New Conservative | Bronwyn Lyell | Bronwyn Lyell | 910 | 2.15 | — | 761 | 1.77 | +1.57 |
| | Independent | Calvin Payne | Calvin Payne | 436 | 1.03 | — | | | |
| | Advance NZ | Jerry Larason | Jerry Larason | 362 | 0.85 | — | 306 | 0.71 | — |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 861 | 2.00 | −3.53 |
| | Opportunities | | | | | | 564 | 1.31 | −1.25 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 85 | 0.20 | +0.02 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 59 | 0.14 | −0.03 |
| | ONE | | | | | | 49 | 0.11 | — |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 38 | 0.09 | +0.01 |
| | Sustainable NZ | | | | | | 25 | 0.06 | — |
| | TEA | | | | | | 9 | 0.02 | — |
| | Vision NZ | | | | | | 5 | 0.01 | — |
| | Heartland | | | | | | 4 | 0.01 | — |
| | Social Credit | | | | | | 2 | 0.00 | −0.00 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 654 | | | 219 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 42,351 | | | 42,975 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 4,968 | 11.73 | −33.36 | | | |

### 2017 election

2017 general election: Selwyn :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Y Amy Adams | Y Amy Adams | 28,686 | 65.86 | -4.11 | 26,003 | 59.00 | -4.58 |
| | Labour | Tony Condon | Tony Condon | 9,047 | 20.77 | +9.22 | 11,508 | 26.11 | +13.14 |
| | Green | Chrys Horn | Chrys Horn | 2,772 | 6.36 | -5.19 | 2,339 | 5.30 | -5.60 |
| | NZ First | Lindy Michelle Palmer | Lindy Michelle Palmer | 1,345 | 3.08 | -2.15 | 2,440 | 5.53 | -1.42 |
| | Opportunities | Nicky Snoyink | Nicky Snoyink | 1,270 | 2.91 | — | 1,131 | 2.56 | — |
| | ACT | Brian Davidson | Brian Davidson | 198 | 0.45 | +0.21 | 201 | 0.45 | +0.06 |
| | Conservative | | | | | | 87 | 0.2 | -3.29 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 79 | 0.2 | -0.13 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 75 | 0.17 | -0.14 |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 41 | 0.09 | -0.13 |
| | Outdoors | | | | | | 36 | 0.08 | — |
| | United Future | | | | | | 32 | 0.07 | -0.17 |
| | People's Party | | | | | | 11 | 0.02 | — |
| | Internet | | | | | | 6 | 0.01 | -0.5 |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 3 | 0.01 | -0.02 |
| | Mana | | | | | | 2 | 0 | -0.51 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 235 | | | 74 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 43,553 | | | 44,068 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 19,639 | 45.09 | -13.33 | | | |

### 2014 election

2014 general election: Selwyn :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Y Amy Adams | Y Amy Adams | 24,625 | 69.97 | +0.83 | 22,809 | 63.58 | +0.93 |
| | Green | Peter Selwyn Hill | Peter Selwyn Hill | 4,064 | 11.55 | +1.37 | 3,910 | 10.90 | -0.54 |
| | Labour | Gordon John Dickson | Gordon John Dickson | 3,835 | 10.90 | -4.37 | 4,654 | 12.97 | -3.15 |
| | NZ First | Bill Woods | Bill Woods | 1,841 | 5.23 | +1.69 | 2,494 | 6.95 | +2.20 |
| | Conservative | Roger Clibborn | Roger Clibborn | 619 | 1.76 | -0.12 | 1,253 | 3.49 | +1.03 |
| | Māori Party | Sheryl Gardyne | Sheryl Gardyne | 129 | 0.37 | +0.37 | 111 | 0.31 | -0.06 |
| | ACT | Paul Gilbert | Paul Gilbert | 83 | 0.24 | +0.24 | 139 | 0.39 | -0.52 |
| | Internet Mana | | | | | | 184 | 0.51 | +0.37 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 120 | 0.33 | +0.00 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 87 | 0.24 | -0.45 |
| | Ban 1080 | | | | | | 78 | 0.22 | +0.22 |
| | Civilian | | | | | | 16 | 0.04 | +0.04 |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 10 | 0.03 | -0.01 |
| | Focus | | | | | | 5 | 0.01 | +0.01 |
| | Independent Coalition | | | | | | 5 | 0.01 | +0.01 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 182 | | | 65 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 35,196 | | | 35,875 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 20,561 | 58.42 | +4.54 | | | |

### 2011 election

2011 general election: Selwyn :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Y Amy Adams | Y Amy Adams | 24,963 | 69.14 | +8.65 | 23,086 | 62.65 | +7.74 |
| | Labour | Jo McLean | Jo McLean | 5,512 | 15.27 | -14.54 | 5,942 | 16.12 | -9.49 |
| | Green | Eugenie Sage | Eugenie Sage | 3,674 | 10.18 | +10.18 | 4,215 | 11.44 | +3.91 |
| | NZ First | Bill Woods | Bill Woods | 1,277 | 3.54 | +3.54 | 1,750 | 4.75 | +1.71 |
| | Conservative | Wilton Gray | Wilton Gray | 677 | 1.88 | +1.88 | 906 | 2.46 | +2.46 |
| | ACT | | | | | | 336 | 0.91 | -2.77 |
| | United Future | | | | | | 256 | 0.69 | -0.45 |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 137 | 0.37 | -0.04 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 123 | 0.33 | +0.07 |
| | Mana | | | | | | 52 | 0.14 | +0.14 |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 24 | 0.07 | +0.02 |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 13 | 0.04 | +0.02 |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 11 | 0.03 | +0.01 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 526 | | | 192 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 36,103 | | | 36,851 | | |
| | National hold | National hold | Majority | 19,451 | 53.88 | +23.20 | | | |
Electorate (as at 26 November 2011): 46,937

### 2008 election

2008 general election: Selwyn :
| Notes: | Notes: | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. | Blue background denotes the winner of the electorate vote. Pink background denotes a candidate elected from their party list. Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent. A Y or N denotes status of any incumbent, win or lose respectively. |
| Party | Party | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Party votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Amy Adams | Amy Adams | 21,836 | 60.49 | | 20,141 | 54.91 | |
| | Labour | David Coates | David Coates | 10,761 | 29.81 | | 9,395 | 25.61 | |
| | Progressive | Philippa Main | Philippa Main | 1,316 | 3.65 | | 672 | 1.83 | |
| | Independent | Bill Woods | Bill Woods | 603 | 1.67 | | | | |
| | ACT | Ivor Watson | Ivor Watson | 539 | 1.49 | | 1,350 | 3.68 | |
| | Family Party | Samuel Dennis | Samuel Dennis | 493 | 1.37 | | 141 | 0.38 | |
| | Kiwi | Eleanor Williamson | Eleanor Williamson | 296 | 0.82 | | 191 | 0.52 | |
| | United Future | Victoria Norman | Victoria Norman | 253 | 0.70 | | 421 | 1.15 | |
| | Green | | | | | | 2,761 | 7.53 | |
| | NZ First | | | | | | 1,115 | 3.04 | |
| | Bill and Ben | | | | | | 201 | 0.55 | |
| | Māori Party | | | | | | 151 | 0.41 | |
| | Legalise Cannabis | | | | | | 97 | 0.26 | |
| | Alliance | | | | | | 17 | 0.05 | |
| | Libertarianz | | | | | | 8 | 0.02 | |
| | Democrats | | | | | | 7 | 0.02 | |
| | Workers Party | | | | | | 5 | 0.01 | |
| | RAM | | | | | | 3 | 0.01 | |
| | Pacific | | | | | | 2 | 0.01 | |
| | RONZ | | | | | | 1 | 0.00 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 409 | | | 155 | | |
| Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 36,097 | | | 36,679 | | |
| | National win new seat | National win new seat | Majority | 11,075 | 30.68 | | | | |

### 1994 by-election

A by-election was held following the resignation of Ruth Richardson.
1994 Selwyn by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | National | David Carter | 8,906 | 42.32 |
| | Alliance | John Wright | 8,488 | 40.33 |
| | Labour | Marian Hobbs | 2,173 | 10.33 |
| | NZ First | Tim Shadbolt | 1,165 | 5.54 |
| | Christian Heritage | Rosemary Francis | 182 | 0.86 |
| | NORML | Warren Bryson | 39 | 0.19 |
| | Kiwis Against Further Immigration | Bruce Annan | 29 | 0.14 |
| | McGillicuddy Serious | Tim Owens | 26 | 0.12 |
| | Natural Law | Warwick Jones | 22 | 0.10 |
| | NZ Coalition | Kieron Daok | 10 | 0.05 |
| | Christ's Ambassadors Union | Victor Bryer | 2 | 0.01 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 418 | 1.99 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 21,042 | |

### 1993 election

1993 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Ruth Richardson | 9,463 | 41.23 | −12.89 |
| | Labour | Ron Mark | 8,575 | 37.36 | |
| | Alliance | John McCaskey | 2,898 | 12.62 | |
| | NZ First | Brooke McKenzie | 1,496 | 6.51 | |
| | Christian Heritage | Gordon Dennis | 425 | 1.85 | +0.91 |
| | Natural Law | Russell Mack | 92 | 0.40 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 888 | 3.86 | −22.47 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,949 | 84.48 | −0.14 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 27,162 | | |

### 1990 election

1990 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Ruth Richardson | 11,183 | 54.12 | −0.88 |
| | Labour | Val Elley | 5,742 | 27.79 | |
| | Green | Chris Newsom | 1,693 | 8.19 | |
| | NewLabour | Maevis Watson | 1,246 | 6.03 | |
| | Democrats | Jonathan Palmer | 227 | 1.09 | −2.19 |
| | McGillicuddy Serious | Steve Richards | 225 | 1.08 | |
| | Independent National | Gordon Dennis | 195 | 0.94 | −0.05 |
| | Social Credit | Kieron Daok | 151 | 0.73 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,441 | 26.33 | +11.14 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,662 | 84.62 | −3.32 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 24,416 | | |

### 1987 election

1987 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Ruth Richardson | 10,720 | 55.00 | +5.02 |
| | Labour | Bill Woods | 7,758 | 39.80 | |
| | Democrats | Jonathan Palmer | 640 | 3.28 | |
| | Independent National | Gordon Dennis | 194 | 0.99 | |
| | Wizard Party | Cyril Walker | 177 | 0.90 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,962 | 15.19 | −3.80 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,489 | 87.94 | −10.61 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,160 | | |

### 1984 election

1984 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Ruth Richardson | 10,076 | 49.98 | +2.55 |
| | Labour | Charles Manning | 6,247 | 30.98 | |
| | NZ Party | Murray MacDonald | 2,859 | 14.18 | |
| | Social Credit | James Gribben | 977 | 4.84 | −10.92 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,829 | 18.99 | +8.36 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,159 | 98.55 | +8.75 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,455 | | |

### 1981 election

1981 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Ruth Richardson | 9,496 | 47.43 | |
| | Labour | Bill Woods | 7,367 | 36.79 | −1.84 |
| | Social Credit | James Gribben | 3,157 | 15.76 | +1.97 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,129 | 10.63 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,020 | 89.80 | +23.86 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 22,293 | | |

### 1978 election

1978 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | National | Colin McLachlan | 8,335 | 45.33 |
| | Labour | Bill Woods | 7,103 | 38.63 |
| | Social Credit | James Gribben | 2,537 | 13.79 |
| | Values | A G Fairweather | 411 | 2.23 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,232 | 6.70 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,386 | 65.94 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 27,882 | |

### 1966 election

1966 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Colin McLachlan | 7,374 | 52.46 | |
| | Labour | Thomas Kelvin Campbell | 4,777 | 33.99 | |
| | Social Credit | Maurice McConnell | 1,903 | 13.54 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,597 | 18.47 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,054 | 84.95 | −2.57 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,542 | | |

### 1963 election

1963 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John McAlpine | 8,164 | 56.41 | +0.17 |
| | Labour | Francis Edward Smith | 4,793 | 33.12 | |
| | Social Credit | Ron Morton | 942 | 6.50 | −0.73 |
| | Liberal | Eric Lester May | 572 | 3.95 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,371 | 23.29 | +3.57 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,471 | 87.52 | −2.03 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,534 | | |

### 1960 election

1960 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John McAlpine | 8,096 | 56.24 | +3.05 |
| | Labour | John Palmer | 5,257 | 36.51 | |
| | Social Credit | Ron Morton | 1,042 | 7.23 | +1.45 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,839 | 19.72 | +7.55 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,395 | 89.55 | −2.18 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,074 | | |

### 1957 election

1957 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John McAlpine | 7,564 | 53.19 | +2.27 |
| | Labour | Stanley Marshall Cook | 5,833 | 41.01 | |
| | Social Credit | Ron Morton | 823 | 5.78 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,731 | 12.17 | −7.66 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,220 | 91.73 | +4.74 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 15,501 | | |

### 1954 election

1954 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John McAlpine | 6,473 | 50.92 | −4.94 |
| | Labour | Daniel Clinton | 3,852 | 30.30 | |
| | Social Credit | Terence Ward | 2,387 | 18.77 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,521 | 19.83 | +8.10 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 12,712 | 86.99 | −4.09 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,612 | | |

### 1951 election

1951 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John McAlpine | 8,738 | 55.86 | +1.47 |
| | Labour | Jim Barclay | 6,902 | 44.13 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,836 | 11.73 | +2.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,640 | 91.08 | −2.98 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 17,170 | | |

### 1949 election

1949 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | John McAlpine | 8,205 | 54.39 | +2.64 |
| | Labour | Alan Sharp | 6,878 | 45.60 | −2.65 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,327 | 8.79 | +5.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,083 | 94.06 | −0.94 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,035 | | |

### 1946 election

1949 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | National | John McAlpine | 6,970 | 51.75 |
| | Labour | Alan Sharp | 6,498 | 48.25 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 472 | 3.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,468 | 93.12 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,463 | |

### 1899 election

1899 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Charles Hardy | 1,308 | 38.96 | |
| | Liberal | John Rennie | 1,168 | 34.79 | |
| | Liberal | John Barrett | 454 | 13.52 | |
| | Liberal | Kenneth Wilson | 427 | 12.72 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 140 | 4.17 | −1.57 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,357 | 74.93 | −10.05 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,480 | | |

### 1896 election

1896 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Cathcart Wason | 1,676 | 52.87 |
| | Independent | Alfred Saunders | 1,494 | 47.13 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 182 | 5.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,170 | 84.99 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,730 | |

### 1890 election

1890 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Alfred Saunders | 536 | 42.61 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Hamilton Anson | 485 | 38.55 |
| | Liberal | William Jerrington Popple | 237 | 18.84 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 51 | 4.05 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,258 | 62.49 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,013 | |

### 1884 by-election

1884 Selwyn by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Edward Wakefield | 479 | 60.25 | |
| | Independent | John McLachlan | 316 | 39.75 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 163 | 20.50 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 795 | | +177 |

### 1883 by-election

1883 Selwyn by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Edward Lee | 258 | 41.75 |
| | Independent | Edward Richardson | 220 | 35.60 |
| | Independent | John McLachlan | 140 | 22.65 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 618 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38 | 6.15 |

### 1875 election

1875 general election: Selwyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Cecil Fitzroy | 244 | 51.48 |
| | Independent | William Reeves | 230 | 48.52 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14 | 2.95 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 474 | 68.30 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 694 | |