Leithfield, is one of the oldest townships in Canterbury. Leithfield
was founded in 1857 by John Leith as an important coach stop and to
provide services to the surrounding farming and milling area.
In 1863
Leithfield boasted one of the first flour mills in North Canterbury and
the only one to be powered by wind. The village flourished in the 1870s
when it was the only business centre at the time, between Kaiapoi and
Kaikoura.
