Leeston (Māori: Karumata) is a town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand.

It is located 30 kilometres southwest of Christchurch, between the shore of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora and the mouth of the Rakaia River.

It is typically held in October and is one of the Selwyn Districts biggest events, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.

The Leeston District is home to three campsites, two situated on the banks of the Selwyn River, and one on the shores of Lake Ellesmere.

Sporting clubs in Leeston include: Rugby, Netball, Tennis, Lawn Bowls, Soccer, Cricket and Running.

Leeston also has a fully equipped gym, which is open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.[8] Ellesmere College is a co-educational secondary school catering for years 7 to 13.

[10] It opened in 1865, and gained the name "Consolidated" in recognition of primary schools in Lakeside, Irwell, Doyleston and Brookside with which it amalgamated in the 1930s.