Lincoln, in short
A university and research town
Lincoln is home to Lincoln University, the smallest of New Zealand's eight universities, plus research organisations such as AgResearch and Landcare Research. That brings a steady rental market.
Very fast growth
Lincoln went from 3,879 people in 2013 to 10,611 at the 2023 Census, with 3,627 dwellings. In 2021 a developer proposed a subdivision on 186 hectares of farmland south of town, with sections of 400 to 600 square metres.
Orion's lines, and growing demand
Lincoln is in Orion's area; its 24-hour line is 0800 363 9898. Orion upgraded its Highfield zone substation to support load growth west of Christchurch, Lincoln included, and expects significant demand increases across Selwyn's towns.
When the grid hiccups
On 22 July 2017, in 48 hours of torrential rain and gales, equipment failed at the Springston grid exit point and Orion connections fed from the Lincoln zone substation lost supply for an average of 55 minutes.
Owners and renters
Across Selwyn District, 19.5% of households didn't own their home at the 2023 Census. Lincoln's share is likely different, given the university, but there's no town-level figure in our sources.
For landlords with Lincoln flats
The healthy homes standards apply to every rental. The living room needs a fixed heater with enough capacity to reach 18°C, and each heater counted towards the standard must be at least 1.5 kW. Bathroom and kitchen fans have to vent outside.
Smoke alarms are compulsory in every rental, and any new or replacement alarm must be photoelectric with at least an 8-year battery, or hard-wired. Tenants mustn't remove or disconnect them, and landlords and tenants can't do electrical work in the flat themselves.
For owners in the new subdivisions
New homes come with modern boards, so the jobs are usually additions: an EV charger with its own circuit and a Type B RCD, solar, outdoor lighting, and power points in the garage. Orion says solar must not connect to its lines without its written approval, so let your installer apply before you buy.
What we'd do in Lincoln
If you let out a flat near the university, we'd sort the heater, fans and alarms before the academic year starts, when tenants turn over. If you're in a new build, we'd wait until you know what you want, a charger, solar or both, and plan them in one go.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.