Lincoln heritage
Origin and early days of Lincoln
Lincoln is the second-largest town in the Selwyn District of New Zealand’s South Island. Its heritage started around 300 years ago, with Māori explorers from the Ngāi Tahu tribe who came down from the North Island and occupied the South Island.
The town was named after the Earl of Lincoln who, along with other British pioneers, created the Canterbury Association in the 1800s.
Big skies, braided rivers, vast plains and snow-capped mountains
Pioneers & early growth
In 1848 the Canterbury Association, inspired by Edward Gibbon Wakefield and John Robert Godley, set out to establish a settlement in New Zealand.
Despite the challenging terrain, Captain Joseph Thomas laid out the towns of Lyttelton and Christchurch and built a road over the Port Hills. The first settlers arrived to find a well-planned community, and Lincoln began to thrive as part of this ambitious venture.
Agricultural prosperity
Sheep farming unexpectedly became Canterbury's economic backbone, with the region's native pastures perfect for wool production. By 1860, large leasehold runs dominated the landscape, making many runholders wealthy.
The introduction of steel ploughs and threshing machines in the 1870s spurred a wheat boom, further transforming the area. The rise of mixed farming and innovations like refrigeration helped smaller farms thrive, cementing Lincoln's role as a prosperous agricultural hub.
The land still plays a really important role, with Lincoln University being New Zealand's oldest agricultural University.
Lincoln University
Lincoln University is proud to be the oldest agricultural teaching institution in the Southern Hemisphere and has been deeply committed to the growth and development of the land since 1878.
It is known for its comprehensive programs in agriculture, veterinary science, chemistry, maths and surveying.
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Lincoln township
To support the growing agricultural sector, Lincoln’s township naturally grew to support it. You can still enjoy the town’s historical roots, with early buildings such as the St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, dating back to 1877, still in use.
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