# List of former territorial authorities in New Zealand

This is a list of former territorial authorities in New Zealand. "Territorial authority" is the generic term used for local government entities in New Zealand. Local government has gone through three principal phases with different structures: the provincial era, from 1853 to 1876; the counties and boroughs system from 1876 until 1989; and the current system of regions, cities and districts.
This article attempts to list all territorial authorities which have been disestablished.

## Provincial era (until 1876)

The original three provinces were established in 1841 by Royal Charter. The New Zealand Constitution Act 1846 reduced the number of provinces to two. The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 re-divided New Zealand into six provinces, and four additional provinces emerged during the remainder of the Provincial Era. This era came to end with the Abolition of Provinces Act 1876.
| Province | Established | Disestablished | Notes |
| Auckland | 1853 | 1876 | |
| Canterbury | 1853 | 1876 | |
| Hawke's Bay | 1858 | 1876 | Formerly part of Wellington Province |
| Marlborough | 1859 | 1876 | Formerly part of Nelson Province |
| Nelson | 1853 | 1876 | |
| New Leinster | 1841 | 1846 | New Zealand Constitution Act 1846 |
| New Munster | 1841 | 1853 | New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 |
| New Plymouth | 1853 | 1876 | Renamed "Taranaki" in 1859 |
| New Ulster | 1841 | 1853 | New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 |
| Otago | 1853 | 1876 | |
| Southland | 1861 | 1870 | Originally part of, and later reunited with, Otago Province |
| Wellington | 1853 | 1876 | |
| Westland | 1873 | 1876 | Independent (Westland County) from 1868, and before that part of Canterbury Province |

## Post-provincial era (1876–1989)

After New Zealand abolished its provinces in 1876, a system of counties similar to other countries' systems was instituted, lasting with little change (except mergers and other localised boundary adjustments) until 1989 when they were reorganised into district councils within a system of larger regions.
The Local Government Act 1974 began the process of bringing urban, mixed, and rural councils into the same legislative framework. Substantial reorganisations under that Act resulted in a shake-up in 1989, which abolished all the counties except for the Chatham Islands County, which survived under that name for a further 6 years but then became a "Territory" under the "Chatham Islands Council".

### Borough councils

New Zealand formerly used the term borough to designate self-governing towns of more than 1,000 people, although 19th century census records show many boroughs with populations as low as 200.
| Council | Established | Disestablished | Area | Notes |
| Akaroa | | | | |
| Alexandra | 1867 | 1989 | 1.92 km$^2$ (470 acres) (1986) | Merged into Central Otago District |
| Arrowtown | 10 May 1877 | 1989 | 170 acres (0.69 km$^2$) (1877) 1.92 km$^2$ (470 acres) (1986) | Merged into Queenstown-Lakes District |
| Ashburton | 9 September 1878 | 1989 | 12.27 km$^2$ (4.74 sq mi) (1986) | Merged into Ashburton District |
| Auckland | 1851 | 1871 | | Declared a city. |
| Avenal | 1876 | 1909 | | Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough |
| Avondale | 1922 | 1927 | | Amalgamated with Auckland City |
| Balclutha | 1870 | 1989 | 568 acres (2.30 km$^2$) (1877) 5.26 km$^2$ (1,300 acres) (1986) | Merged into Clutha District |
| Birkenhead | 1888 | 1978 | | Proclaimed a city on 15 March 1978 |
| Blenheim | 1869 | 1989 | 17.68 km$^2$ (6.83 sq mi) (1986) | Merged into Marlborough District |
| Bluff | 1917 | 1989 | 8.67 km$^2$ | Merged into Invercargill city. See Campbelltown below. |
| Brunner | 1887 | 1971 | 23 km$^2$ (5,700 acres) (1969) | Amalgamated with Grey County |
| Cambridge | 1886 | 1989 | 9.65 km$^2$ | Merged into Waipa District |
| Caversham | 1877 | 1904 | 4.34 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Dunedin city |
| Campbelltown | 1878 | 1917 | 8.67 km$^2$ | Formally renamed Bluff (see above) |
| Carterton | 1887 | 1989 | 39.81 km$^2$ | Grew into Carterton District |
| Cromwell | 1866 | 1989 | 33.3 km$^2$ | Merged into Central Otago District |
| Dannevirke | 1892 | 1987 | 5.62 km$^2$ | In 1987 merged with Dannevirke County to form Dannevirke District, which merged into Tararua District in 1989 |
| Dargaville | 1908 | 1989 | 11.33 km$^2$ | Merged into Kaipara District |
| Devonport | 1886 | 1989 | 5.79 km$^2$ | Merged into North Shore City |
| Dunedin South | | 1908 | | Amalgamated with Dunedin city |
| Eastbourne | 1905 | 1989 | 12.95 km$^2$ | Merged into Lower Hutt City |
| East Coast Bays | 1954 | 1975 | | Proclaimed a city on 1 April 1975 |
| East Invercargill | 1876 | 1909 | | Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough |
| Eketahuna | 1907 | fl. 1972 | | Merged into Eketahuna County |
| Ellerslie | 1938 | 1989 | 3.01 km$^2$ | Merged into Auckland City |
| Eltham | 1901 | 1989 | 6.47 km$^2$ | Merged into South Taranaki District |
| Featherston | 1917 | 1989 | 3.07 km$^2$ | Merged into South Wairarapa District |
| Feilding | 1881 | 1989 | 8.52 km$^2$ | Merged into Manawatū District |
| Foxton | 1883 | 1989 | 3.07 km$^2$ | Merged into Horowhenua District |
| Geraldine | 1904 | 1989 | 3.22 km$^2$ | Merged into Timaru District |
| Gladstone | 1876 | 1909 | | Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough |
| Glen Eden | fl. 1972 | 1989 | 4.95 km$^2$ | Merged into Waitakere City |
| Gore | 1885 | 1989 | 9.43 km$^2$ | Merged into Gore District |
| Green Island | 1875 | 1989 | 7.28 km$^2$ | Merged into Dunedin City |
| Grey Lynn | 1899 | 1914 | | Amalgamated with Auckland City |
| Greymouth | 1868 | 1989 | 10.48 km$^2$ | Merged into Grey District |
| Greytown | 1878 | 1989 | 4.45 km$^2$ | Merged into South Wairarapa District |
| Hampden | 1879 | 1967 | | Amalgamated with Waitaki County |
| Hastings | 1886 | 1956 | | Elevated to City |
| Havelock North | 1952 | 1989 | 5.63 km$^2$ | Merged into Hastings District |
| Hawera | | fl. 1972 | | |
| Helensville | 1947 | 1989 | 5.32 km$^2$ | Merged into Rodney District |
| Henderson | 1946 | 1989 | 66.7 km$^2$ | Merged into Waitakere City |
| Hokitika | 1868 | 1989 | 35.7 km$^2$ | Merged into Westland District |
| Howick | 1952 | 1989 | 6.21 km$^2$ | Merged into Manukau City |
| Huntly | 1931 | 1989 | 9.3 km$^2$ | Merged into Waikato District |
| Inglewood | 1902 | 1986 | 2.83 km$^2$ | Merged into Inglewood District 1986 Merged into New Plymouth District 1989 |
| Invercargill | 1871 | 1930 | | Elevated to City |
| Kaiapoi | 1868 | 1989 | 4.66 km$^2$ | Merged into Waimakariri District |
| Kaikohe | 1947 | 1989 | 5.44 km$^2$ | Merged into Far North District |
| Kaitaia | 1922 | 1989 | 6.95 km$^2$ | Merged into Far North District |
| Kaitangata | 1882 | 1989 | 3.64 km$^2$ | Merged into Clutha District |
| Kāpiti | 1974 | 1989 | 160.64 km$^2$ | Merged into Kāpiti Coast District |
| Karori | 1891 | 1920 | | Amalgamated with Wellington City |
| Kawerau | 1954 | 1989 | 21.74 km$^2$ | Changed to Kawerau District |
| Kumara | 1877 | 1969 | 3.41 km$^2$ (842 acres) (1969) | Merged into Hokitika Borough |
| Lawrence | 1866 | 1989 | 2.95 km$^2$ | Merged into Clutha District |
| Levin | 1906 | 1989 | 12.95 km$^2$ | Merged into Horowhenua District |
| Linwood | 22 February 1893 | 1 April 1903 | | Amalgamated with Christchurch city |
| Lower Hutt | 1891 | 1941 | | Elevated to City |
| Lyttelton | 28 May 1868 | 1989 | 10.36 km$^2$ | Merged into Banks Peninsula District |
| Maori Hill | 1876 | 1915 | 14.97 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Dunedin City |
| Manurewa | 1937 | 1965 | | Merged into Manukau City |
| Martinborough | 1928 | 1989 | 4.33 km$^2$ | Merged into South Wairarapa District |
| Marton | 1879 | 1989 | 5.72 km$^2$ | Merged into Rangitikei District |
| Masterton | 1877 | 1989 | 17.96 km$^2$ | Merged into Masterton District |
| Matamata | 1935 | 1989 | 5.33 km$^2$ | Merged into Matamata-Piako District |
| Mataura | 1895 | 1989 | 5.15 km$^2$ | Merged into Gore District |
| Melrose | 1888 | 1903 | | Amalgamated with Wellington City |
| Milton | 1866 | 1989 | 3.88 km$^2$ | Merged into Clutha District |
| Miramar | 8 November 1904 | April 1921 | | Amalgamated with Wellington City |
| Mornington | 1877 | 1915 | 2.65 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Dunedin City |
| Morrinsville | 1921 | 1989 | 4.76 km$^2$ | Merged into Matamata-Piako District |
| Mosgiel | 1884 | 1989 | 7.87 km$^2$ | Merged into Dunedin City |
| Motueka | 1900 | 1989 | 47.9 km$^2$ | Merged into Tasman District |
| Mount Albert | 1911 | 1978 | | Became Mount Albert City |
| Mount Eden | 1906 | 1989 | 5.98 km$^2$ | Merged into Auckland City |
| Mount Maunganui | 1945 | 1989 | 19.11 km$^2$ | Merged into Tauranga City |
| Mount Roskill | 1947 | 1989 | 18.62 km$^2$ | Merged into Auckland City |
| Mount Wellington | 1952 | 1986 | 16.72 km$^2$ | Merged with Otahuhu borough to become Tamaki City |
| Murupara | 1962 | 1989 | 30.0 km$^2$ | Merged into Whakatane District |
| Napier | 1874 | 1950 | | Elevated to City |
| Naseby | 1872 | 1989 | 0.73 km$^2$ | Merged into Central Otago District |
| New Brighton | 1897 | 1941 | | Amalgamated with Christchurch city |
| New Lynn | 1910 | 1989 | 5.63 km$^2$ | Merged into Waitakere City |
| Newmarket | 1885 | 1989 | 0.79 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Auckland City |
| Newton | 1885 | 1899 | | Renamed Grey Lynn Borough. |
| Ngaruawahia | 1920 | 1989 | 5.18 km$^2$ | Merged into Waikato District |
| Northcote | 1908 | 1989 | 5.40 km$^2$ | Merged into North Shore City |
| North East Valley | 1877 | 1910 | 16.11 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Dunedin City |
| North Invercargill | 1876 | 1909 | | Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough |
| Oamaru | 1866 | 1989 | 7.43 km$^2$ | Merged into Waitaki District |
| Ohakune | 1911 | 1989 | 8.41 km$^2$ | Merged into Ruapehu District |
| Onehunga | 1877 | 1989 | 7.60 km$^2$ | Merged into Auckland City |
| One Tree Hill | 1930 | 1989 | 9.83 km$^2$ | Merged into Auckland City |
| Onslow | 13 March 1890 | 1 April 1919 | | Amalgamated with Wellington City |
| Ōpōtiki | 1911 | 1973 | | Amalgamated with Opotiki County |
| Otahuhu | 1912 | 1986 | 5.74 km$^2$ | Merged with Mount Wellington borough to become Tamaki City |
| Ōtaki | 1921 | 1989 | 43.20 km$^2$ | Merged into Kāpiti Coast District |
| Paeroa | 1915 | 1989 | 5.75 km$^2$ | Merged into Hauraki District |
| Pahiatua | 1892 | 1989 | 2.91 km$^2$ | Merged into Tararua District |
| Palmerston | 1872 | 1966 | | |
| Papakura | 1 April 1938 | 1975 | | Constituted a city on 1 January 1975 |
| Papatoetoe | 1946 | 5 October 1965 | | Elevated to city |
| Parnell | 1877 | 1913 | | Amalgamated with Auckland City |
| Patea | 1881 | 1989 | 5.75 km$^2$ | Merged into South Taranaki District |
| Petone | 1888 | 1989 | 10.28 km$^2$ | Merged into Lower Hutt City |
| Picton | 1876 | 1989 | 4.24 km$^2$ | Merged into Marlborough District |
| Porirua | 31 August 1962 | 2 October 1965 | | Elevated to City |
| Port Chalmers | 1866 | 1989 | 4.01 km$^2$ | Merged into Dunedin City |
| Pukekohe | 1905 | 1989 | 14.05 km$^2$ | Merged into Franklin District |
| Putāruru | 1926 | 1989 | 3.94 km$^2$ | Merged into South Waikato District |
| Queenstown | 1866 | 1986 | 4.21 km$^2$ | Merged with Lake County to form Queenstown-Lakes District |
| Raetihi | 1921 | 1989 | 3.88 km$^2$ | Merged into Ruapehu District |
| Rangiora | 1871 | 1986 | 3.56 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Rangiora County to form Rangiora District. |
| Riccarton | 1913 | 1989 | 2.83 km$^2$ | Merged into Christchurch City |
| Richmond | 1891 | 1989 | 10.52 km$^2$ | Merged into Tasman District |
| Riverton | 1871 | 1983 | | |
| Roslyn | 1877 | 1912 | 8.09 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Dunedin City |
| Ross | 1878 | 1972 | | Amalgamated with Westland County |
| Roxburgh | 1874 | 1989 | 2.08 km$^2$ | Merged into Central Otago District |
| Runanga | 1912 | 1989 | 4.80 km$^2$ | Merged into Grey District |
| St Albans | 24 November 1881 | 1 April 1903 | | Amalgamated with Christchurch city |
| Saint Kilda | 1875 | 1989 | 2.47 km$^2$ | Merged into Dunedin City |
| South Dunedin | 1875 | 1905 | 1.67 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Dunedin City |
| South Invercargill | 1877 | 1956 | | Amalgamated with Invercargill City |
| Spreydon | 1 April 1911 | 1921 | | Amalgamated with Christchurch City. |
| Stratford | 1898 | 1989 | 8.16 km$^2$ | Merged into Stratford District |
| Sumner | 1891 | 1 April 1945 | | Amalgamated with Christchurch city |
| Sydenham | 20 September 1877 | 1 April 1903 | | Amalgamated with Christchurch city |
| Taihape | 1906 | 1989 | 7.78 km$^2$ | Merged into Rangitikei District |
| Takapuna | 1913 | 1961 | | Elevated to city |
| Tapanui | 1876 | 1989 | 1.21 km$^2$ | Merged into Clutha District |
| Taradale | 1953 | 1968 | | Amalgamated with Napier City |
| Taumarunui | 1910 | 1989 | 15.7 km$^2$ | Merged into Ruapehu District |
| Taupō | fl. 1972 | 1989 | 33.85 km$^2$ | Merged into Taupō District |
| Tauranga | 1882 | 1963 | km$^2$ | Elevated to city |
| Tawa | fl. 1972 | 1989 | 6.94 km$^2$ | Merged into Wellington City |
| Te Aroha | 1898 | 1989 | 31.8 km$^2$ | Merged into Matamata-Piako District |
| Te Awamutu | 1915 | 1989 | 7.13 km$^2$ | Merged into Waipa District |
| Te Kuiti | | fl. 1972 | | |
| Temuka | 1899 | 1989 | 4.05 km$^2$ | Merged into Timaru District |
| Te Puke | 1935 | 1989 | 5.34 km$^2$ | Merged into Western Bay of Plenty District |
| Thames | | fl. 1972 | | |
| Timaru | 13 July 1868 | 1948 | | Elevated to city |
| Tokoroa | 1975 | 1989 | 13.25 km$^2$ | Merged into South Waikato District |
| Tuakau | fl. 1972 | 1989 | 4.42 km$^2$ | Merged into Franklin District |
| Upper Hutt | 1 February 1928 | 2 May 1966 | | City of Upper Hutt proclaimed |
| Waihi | 1902 | 1989 | 5.4 km$^2$ | Merged into Hauraki District |
| Waikouaiti | 1866 | 1966 | | Known as West Hawksbury until 1909 |
| Waimate | 1879 | 1989 | 3.12 km$^2$ | Merged into Waimate District |
| Waipawa | | fl. 1972 | | Merged into Central Hawke's Bay District |
| Waipukurau | | fl. 1972 | | Merged into Central Hawke's Bay District |
| Wairoa | 1909 | 1989 | 6.59 km$^2$ | Merged into Wairoa District |
| Waitara | 1904 | 1989 | 6.32 km$^2$ | Merged into New Plymouth District |
| Waiuku | | 1989 | 5.93 km$^2$ | Merged into Franklin District |
| Wanganui | 1872 | 1924 | | Elevated to city |
| West Harbour | 1877 | 1963 | | Western part amalgamated with Dunedin City, eastern part amalgamated with Waikouaiti County |
| Westport | 1873 | 1989 | 3.44 km$^2$ | Merged into Buller District |
| Whakatane | 1917 | 1976 | km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Whakatane County to form Whakatane District |
| Winton | 1877 | 1989 | 2.36 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District. |
| Woodville | 1887 | 1989 | 4.25 km$^2$ | Merged into Tararua District |
| Woolston | 27 July 1893 | 1921 | | Amalgamated with Christchurch City. |

### Cities

Prior to 1989, any borough with a population exceeding 20,000 could proclaim itself a city. As part of the restructuring, many provincial cities were combined with surrounding rural counties to form districts. For example, Hastings became a district, although its population is greater than nearby city Napier, which did not acquire any rural areas. The term city is still used informally for all large towns. Rotorua was a city from 1962 until 1979, when it amalgamated with Rotorua County to become Rotorua District. New Zealand's first city was Christchurch, proclaimed by royal charter in 1856. Cities continued to exist in the Auckland Region until 2010, when Auckland City, North Shore City, Waitakere City, Manukau City were merged with the surrounding districts into a single unitary authority.
| Council | Established | Disestablished | Area | Notes |
| Auckland City | 1871 | 2010 | 637 square kilometres (246 sq mi) | Merged into Auckland Council |
| Birkenhead | 1978 | 1989 | 12.66 square kilometres (4.89 sq mi) | Merged into North Shore City |
| East Coast Bays | 1975 | 1989 | 15.59 square kilometres (6.02 sq mi) | Merged into North Shore City |
| Gisborne | 1956 | 1989 | 26.28 square kilometres (10.15 sq mi) | Merged into Gisborne District |
| Hastings | 1956 | 1989 | 19.46 square kilometres (7.51 sq mi) | Merged into Hastings District |
| Manukau City | 1965 | 2010 | 683 square kilometres (264 sq mi) | Merged into Auckland Council |
| Mount Albert City | 1978 | 1989 | 9.83 square kilometres (3.80 sq mi) | Merged into Auckland City |
| New Plymouth | 1949 | 1989 | | Merged into New Plymouth District |
| North Shore City | 1989 | 2010 | 129.81 square kilometres (50.12 sq mi) | Merged into Auckland Council |
| Papakura | 1975 | 1989 | 13.95 square kilometres (5.39 sq mi) | Merged into Papakura District |
| Papatoetoe | 1965 | 1989 | 9.03 square kilometres (3.49 sq mi) | Merged into Manukau City |
| Rotorua | 1962 | 1979 | | Merged into Rotorua District |
| Takapuna | 1961 | 1989 | 114 square kilometres (44 sq mi) | Merged into North Shore City |
| Tamaki | 1986 | 1989 | | Merged into Auckland City |
| Timaru | 1948 | 1989 | 22.84 square kilometres (8.82 sq mi) | Merged into Timaru District |
| Waitakere City | 1989 | 2010 | 367 square kilometres (142 sq mi) | Merged into Auckland Council |
| Waitemata City | 1974 | 1989 | 378.29 square kilometres (146.06 sq mi) | Merged into Waitakere City |
| Wanganui | 1924 | 1989 | 33.93 square kilometres (13.10 sq mi) | Merged into Wanganui District |
| Whangarei | 1964 | 1989 | 292.79 square kilometres (113.05 sq mi) | Merged into Whangarei District |

### Counties

When the provinces were abolished in 1876, 63 counties were established to govern rural areas. There were subdivisions and amalgamations over the next 113 years, with as many as 129 counties existing at once. Note that the designation of an area as a county often predated the formation of a county council. In the interim there was often a roads board as the only form of local administration. Fiord and Sounds counties never formed county councils, due to insufficient population to govern.
| County | Established | Disestablished | Area | Headquarters | Notes |
| Akaroa | 1876 | 1989 | 440.48 km$^2$ | Duvauchelle | Merged into Banks Peninsula District |
| Akitio | 1899 | 1976 | | Pongaroa | Merged into Dannevirke County |
| Amuri | 1876 | 1989 | 11,000 km$^2$ | Culverden | Merged into Hurunui District |
| Ashburton | 1876 | 1989 | 6174 km$^2$ | Ashburton | |
| Ashley | 1876 | 1977 | | Rangiora until 1968 then Balcairn | Amalgamated with Waipara County to form Hurunui County. |
| Awakino | 1913 | 1922 | | | Amalgamated with Waitomo to form Otorohanga County |
| Awatere | fl. 1952 | 1976 | | | Merged into Marlborough County |
| Bay of Islands | 1876 | 1989 | 2132.5 km$^2$ | Kawakawa | |
| Bruce | 1876 | 1989 | 1347.4 km$^2$ | Milton | Merged into Clutha District |
| Buller | 1876 | 1989 | 15,000 km$^2$ | Westport | |
| Castlepoint | 1900 | 1958 | | Tīnui | |
| Chatham Islands | 1901 | 1989 | 963 km$^2$ | Waitangi | |
| Cheviot | 1876 | 1989 | 847.28 km$^2$ | Cheviot | Merged into Hurunui District |
| Clifton | 1885 | 1989 | 1175.9 km$^2$ | Waitara | Merged into New Plymouth District. |
| Clutha | 1876 | 1989 | 2683.2 km$^2$ | Balclutha | Merged into Clutha District |
| Collingwood | 1876 | 1956 | | | Amalgamated with Takaka County to form Golden Bay County. |
| Cook | 1876 | 1989 | 2729.4 km$^2$ | Gisborne | Merged into Gisborne District |
| Coromandel | 1876 | 1975 | | | Amalgamated with Thames to form Thames-Coromandel District |
| Dannevirke | 1907 | 1989 | 2217.8 km$^2$ | Dannevirke | Merged into Tararua District |
| East Taupo | 1876 | | | | |
| Eden | 1876 | 1940 | | | Amalgamated with Auckland City |
| Egmont | 1902 | 1989 | 621.86 km$^2$ | Ōpunake | Merged into South Taranaki District |
| Eketahuna | 1899 | 1989 | 8.29 km$^2$ | Eketahuna | Merged into Tararua District |
| Ellesmere | 1910 | 1989 | 1200.4 km$^2$ | Leeston | Merged into Selwyn District |
| Eltham | 1906 | 1989 | 1388.8 km$^2$ | Eltham | Merged into South Taranaki District |
| Eyre | 1912 | 1989 | 457.8 km$^2$ | Kaiapoi in 1952, later Eyreton | Merged into Waimakariri District |
| Featherston | 1902 | 1989 | 2471.9 km$^2$ | Martinborough | |
| Fiord | 1876 | 1981 | km$^2$ | | Amalgamated with Wallace County in 1981, at which time it was "the only one of 105 counties where the Counties Act (1956) is not wholly in force" |
| Franklin | 1912 | 1989 | 1471.7 km$^2$ | Pukekohe | Merged into Franklin District |
| Geraldine | 1876 | | km$^2$ | | Amalgamated with Levels County to form Strathallan County |
| Golden Bay | 1956 | 1989 | 2661 km$^2$ | Takaka | |
| Great Barrier Island | 1913 | 1989 | 2.85 km$^2$ | | |
| Grey | 1876 | 1989 | 4091 km$^2$ | Greymouth | |
| Halswell | 1910 | 1968 | | Halswell | Amalgamated with Paparua County |
| Hauraki Plains | 1920 | 1989 | 601.1 km$^2$ | Ngatea | |
| Hawera | | | km$^2$ | | |
| Hawke's Bay | 1876 | 1989 | 4828 km$^2$ | Napier | |
| Heathcote | 1910 | 1989 | 31.09 km$^2$ | | Merged into Christchurch City |
| Hobson | 1876 | 1989 | 1929.5 km$^2$ | Aratapu until 1909, then Dargaville | Merged into Kaipara District |
| Hokianga | 1876 | 1989 | 1588 km$^2$ | Rawene | |
| Horowhenua | 1884 | 1989 | 1422 km$^2$ | Levin | Amalgamated with other entities to form Horowhenua District |
| Hurunui | 1977 | 1989 | 3640 km$^2$ | Amberley | Merged into Hurunui District |
| Hutt | 1876 | 1989 | 6690 km$^2$ | Initially Wellington, later Wainuiomata | Between 1908 and 1962 the Makara riding was a separate county. On 1 April 1973, parts were transferred to Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington cities. In 1988, the Horokiri riding was amalgamated with Porirua City, Wainuiomata riding with Lower Hutt City and Heretaunga-Pinehaven Community with Upper Hutt City, while the balance went to form part of the Kāpiti Coast District. |
| Inangahua | 1876 | 1989 | 2440.8 km$^2$ | Reefton | |
| Inglewood | 1920 | 1986 | 535.22 km$^2$ | Inglewood | Merged into Inglewood District 1986 Merged into New Plymouth District 1989 |
| Kaikoura | 1876 | 1989 | 2347.5 km$^2$ | Kaikoura | |
| Kairanga | 1901 | 1988 | 466.2 km$^2$ | Palmerston North | Amalgamated with Manawatu County to form Manawatū District |
| Kaitieke | 1910 | 1956 | | Raurimu | Amalgamated with Taumarunui County |
| Kawhia | 1905 | 1956 | | Kawhia | Merged with Otorohanga District Council |
| Kiwitea | 1893 | 1989 | 930.2 km$^2$ | Kimbolton | Merged into Manawatū District |
| Kowai | 1912 | 1968 | | Balcairn | Amalgamated with Ashley County |
| Lake | 1876 | 1986 | 10000 km$^2$ | Queenstown | Merged with Queenstown Borough to form Queenstown-Lakes District |
| Levels | 1894 | 1974 | km$^2$ | | Amalgamated with Geraldine County to form Strathallan County |
| MacKenzie | 1883 | 1989 | 7386.6 km$^2$ | Fairlie | |
| Makara | 1908 | 1961 | | | Formed from the Makara Riding of Hutt County. Remnant amalgamated with Hutt County when Porirua Borough established. |
| Malvern | 1912 | 1989 | 4973 km$^2$ | Darfield | Merged into Selwyn District |
| Manawatu | 1876 | 1988 | 686.6 km$^2$ | Sanson | Amalgamated with Kairanga County to form Manawatū District |
| Mangonui | 1876 | 1989 | 2487 km$^2$ | Kaitaia | |
| Maniototo | 1876 | 1989 | 3471 km$^2$ | Ranfurly | Became part of Central Otago District |
| Manukau | 1876 | | km$^2$ | | |
| Marlborough | 1876 | 1989 | 10478 km$^2$ | Blenheim | Merged with Blenheim Borough and Picton Borough Marlborough District |
| Masterton | 1900 | 1989 | 2410 km$^2$ | Masterton | Merged with Masterton Borough to form Masterton District |
| Matakaoa | fl. 1952 | | | Te Araroa | |
| Matamata | fl. 1952 | | | Tirau | |
| Mauriceville | 1899 | | km$^2$ | | |
| Mount Herbert | 1902 | 1989 | 171.01 km$^2$ | Lyttelton | Merged into Banks Peninsula District |
| Murchison | 1 April 1909 | 1989 | | Murchison | Merged into Tasman District |
| Ohinemuri | 1885 | 1989 | 624.45 km$^2$ | Paeroa | |
| Ohura | 1908 | 1956 | | Ohura | Amalgamated with Taumarunui County |
| Opotiki | 1899 | 1989 | 3474.65 km$^2$ | Opotiki | |
| Oroua | 1903 | 1989 | 492.3 km$^2$ | Feilding | Merged into Manawatū District |
| Otamatea | 1887 | 1989 | 1090.85 km$^2$ | Paparoa | Merged into Kaipara District |
| Otorohanga | 1922 | 1989 | 1976 km$^2$ | Ōtorohanga | Formed from parts of Waitomo County and West Taupo County in 1922. Assimilated part of Kawhia County 1956 |
| Oxford | 1912 | 1989 | 823.96 km$^2$ | Oxford | |
| Pahiatua | 1888 | 1989 | 736.3 km$^2$ | Pahiatua | |
| Paparua | 1912 | 1989 | 448.18 km$^2$ | | Divided between Christchurch City and Selwyn District |
| Patangata | 1885 | 1974 | km$^2$ | | Merged into Waipukurau County |
| Patea | 1876 | 1989 | 1531 km$^2$ | Patea | Merged into South Taranaki District |
| Peninsula | 1877 | 1968 | km$^2$ | | More or less inactive until reconstituted in 1926. Amalgamated with Dunedin City in 1967. |
| Piako | 1876 | 1989 | 1171 km$^2$ | Te Aroha | Merged into Matamata-Piako District |
| Pohangina | 1894 | 1989 | 671 km$^2$ | Ashhurst | Merged into Manawatū District and Palmerston North City |
| Raglan | 1876 | 1989 | 2412.3 km$^2$ | Ngāruawāhia | Merged into Waikato District |
| Rangiora | 1912 | 1986 | | Rangiora | Amalgamated with Rangiora borough to form Rangiora District. |
| Rangitikei | 1876 | 1989 | 4490 km$^2$ | Marton | |
| Rodney | 1876 | 1989 | 23.34 km$^2$ | Orewa | Part merged into Kaipara District |
| Rotorua | | 1979 | 2615 km$^2$ | Rotorua | Became Rotorua District |
| Selwyn | 1876 | 1910 | | | Subdivided into ten smaller counties. |
| Silverpeaks | 1977 | 1989 | 3289 km$^2$ | Dunedin | Formed in 1977 by the merger of Taieri County and Waikouaiti County. |
| Sounds | 1876 | | | | Merged into Marlborough District 1989. A Sounds County Council was never established |
| Southland | 1876 | 1989 | 9590 km$^2$ | Invercargill | Amalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District. |
| Springs | 1910 | 1989 | | Lincoln | Merged into Selwyn District |
| Stewart Island | 1876 | 1989 | 1750 km$^2$ | Halfmoon Bay | Amalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District. |
| Stratford | 1890 | 1989 | 2163.56 km$^2$ | Stratford | |
| Strathallan | 1974 | 1989 | 2571.8 km$^2$ | Timaru | |
| Taieri | 1877 | 1977 | | Outram | Amalgamated with Waikouaiti County to form Silverpeaks County. |
| Takaka | | 1956 | | Takaka | Amalgamated with Collingwood County to form Golden Bay County. |
| Taranaki | 1876 | 1989 | 588.17 km$^2$ | New Plymouth | |
| Taumarunui | 1921 | 1989 | 4895 km$^2$ | Taumarunui | Took in Kaitieke County and Ohura County in 1952 |
| Taupo | 1954 | 1989 | 7282 km$^2$ | Taupō | |
| Tauranga | 1876 | 1989 | 1829.3 km$^2$ | Tauranga | |
| Tawera | | | | | |
| Thames | 1876 | 1975 | | Thames | Amalgamated with Coromandel County to form Thames/Coromandel District |
| Tuapeka | 1876 | 1989 | 3586 km$^2$ | Lawrence | |
| Uawa | 1918 | 1964 | | Tolaga Bay | Separated from Cook County 10 December 1918. Amalgamated with Cook County 1 April 1964. |
| Vincent | 1876 | 1989 | 7553 km$^2$ | Clyde | Became part of Central Otago District |
| Waiapu | 1890 | 1989 | 2817.9 km$^2$ | Te Puia Springs | |
| Waiheke | 1970 | 1989 | 155.32 km$^2$ | Ostend | |
| Waihemo | 1882 | 1989 | 872.83 km$^2$ | Palmerston | Merged into Waitaki District |
| Waikato | 1876 | 1989 | 1651 km$^2$ | Hamilton | Merged into Waikato District |
| Waikohu | 1908 | 1989 | 2646.96 km$^2$ | Te Karaka | |
| Waikouaiti | 1877 | 1977 | km$^2$ | | Amalgamated with Taieri County to form Silverpeaks County. |
| Waimairi | | 1982 | | | Redesignated Waimairi District |
| Waimarino | 1902 | 1988 | 2249 km$^2$ | Raetihi | Amalgamated with Raetihi Borough and Ohakune Borough to form Waimarino District |
| Waimate | 1876 | 1989 | 3585 km$^2$ | Waimate | |
| Waimate West | 1908 | 1989 | 215.05 km$^2$ | Manaia | |
| Waimea | 1876 | 1989 | 7547 km$^2$ | Richmond | |
| Waipa | 1876 | 1989 | 1101 km$^2$ | Te Awamutu | |
| Waipara | 1909 | 1977 | | Waikari | Amalgamated with Ashley County to form Hurunui County. |
| Waipawa | 1876 | 1977 | | Waipawa | Amalgamated with Waipawa Borough to form Waipawa District |
| Waipukurau | | 1977 | | Waipukurau | Amalgamated with Waipukurau Borough to form Waipukurau District |
| Wairarapa East | 1876 | | | | |
| Wairarapa South | 1877 | 1989 | 1140 km$^2$ | Carterton | Merged with Carterton Borough to form Carterton District |
| Wairarapa West | 1876 | | | | |
| Wairewa | 1910 | 1989 | 440.5 km$^2$ | Little River | |
| Wairoa | 1876 | 1989 | 4096.5 km$^2$ | Wairoa | |
| Waitaki | 1876 | 1989 | 6192.7 km$^2$ | Oamaru | Created in 1876 but first Council did not meet until 1877 |
| Waitemata | 1876 | | | | |
| Waitomo | | | | | |
| Waitotara | 1884 | 1989 | 1205.5 km$^2$ | Wanganui | |
| Wallace | 1876 | 1989 | 17520 km$^2$ | Riverton to 1898, thereafter Otautau | Amalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District. |
| Wanganui | 1876 | 1989 | 1191 km$^2$ | Wanganui | |
| Weber | 1902 | 1956 | km$^2$ | Dannevirke | Merged into Dannevirke County |
| Wellington | ? | ? | km$^2$ | ? | See Hutt County or Makara County for counties near Wellington. |
| West Taupo | 1876 | | 1,610 km$^2$ | | West Taupo County Council was never set up. The area remained under road and town boards and government departments, until split between Taumarunui County Council, Kaitieke County Council and Taumarunui Town Board by the Waikato and King-country Counties Act 1921-1922. In 1921 the West Taupo area had 1,438 people living in 621 sq mi (1,610 km$^2$). |
| Westland | 1876 | 1989 | 11000 km$^2$ | Hokitika | |
| Whakatane | 1876 | | km$^2$ | Whakatane | |
| Whangamomona | | | km$^2$ | | |
| Whangarei | 1876 | 1989 | 2681.8 km$^2$ | Kamo | Part merged into Kaipara District |
| Whangaroa | 1876 | 1989 | 621.6 km$^2$ | Kaeo | Merged into Far North District |
| Woodville | 1901 | 1987 | 404.2 km$^2$ | Woodville | Amalgamated with Woodville Borough to form Woodville District |

### Districts

From the 1970s onwards some local authorities created by a voluntary amalgamation of two or more component local authorities were termed Districts. These Districts were of a mixed rural/urban character but are not to be confused with the Districts created by the local government reorganisation of 1989.
| Council | Established | Disestablished | Notes |
| Hawera | 1978 | fl. 1986 | |
| Otorohanga | 1979 | 1989 | Previously called Otorohanga County |
| Queenstown-Lakes | fl. 1986 | | |
| Rangiora | 1978 | fl. 1986 | |
| Rotorua | 1979 | fl. 1986 | |
| Thames-Coromandel | 1975 | fl. 1986 | |
| Waimairi | 1982 | fl. 1986 | |
| Waimarino | 1988 | 1989 | Amalgamation of Raetihi Borough, Ohakune Borough and Waimarino County |
| Waipawa | 1978 | 1989 | Amalgamated with Waipukurau District to form Central Hawke's Bay District |
| Waipukurau | 1977 | 1989 | Amalgamated with Waipawa District to form Central Hawke's Bay District |
| Waitomo | 1976 | fl. 1986 | |
| Whakatane | 1976 | fl. 1986 | |

### Town districts

A town district, as created under the Town Boards Act of 1882 was a municipality intermediate in nature between a county town and a borough. In 1952, a dependent town district could be established on the petition of two thirds of the resident householders of any settlement of at least fifty households in an area of not more than two square miles (5.18 km$^2$). To become an independent town district, a town district must have had a population of greater than 500.
| Council | Established | Disestablished | Area | Notes |
| Bay | 1905 | 1916 | | Amalgamated with Dunedin City |
| Bulls | fl. 1952 | | 2.74 km$^2$ | |
| Cambridge | 1882 | 1886 | | Elevated to borough |
| Carterton | 1875 | 1887 | | Elevated to borough. |
| Dannevirke | 1885 | 1892 | | Elevated to borough. |
| Edendale | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 2.82 km$^2$ | Dependent Town District within Southland County |
| Eltham | 1884 | 1901 | | Elevated to borough |
| Glen Eden | 1921 | fl. 1952 | 5.12 km$^2$ | |
| Gordon | | 1890 | | Amalgamated with Gore borough |
| Grey | 1886 | 1907 | | Amalgamated with Taieri County |
| Havelock | fl. 1952 | | 0.85 km$^2$ | |
| Henderson | 1922 | 1946 | | Elevated to borough |
| Helensville | 1883 | 1947 | | Elevated to borough |
| Hikurangi | 1908 | fl. 1986 | 3.88 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Whangarei County |
| Howick | 1922 | 1952 | | Elevated to borough |
| Hunterville | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 3.20 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Rangitikei County |
| Huntly | 1908 | 1931 | | Elevated to borough |
| Johnsonville | 1874 | 1953 | 3.41 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Wellington City |
| Kaikohe | 1927 | 1947 | | Elevated to borough |
| Kamo | fl. 1952 | | 3.44 km$^2$ | |
| Kaponga | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 2.26 km$^2$ | Dependent Town District within Eltham County |
| Kawakawa | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 1.13 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Bay of Islands County |
| Kawhia | fl. 1952 | | 1.90 km$^2$ | |
| Kihikihi | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 2.59 km$^2$ | Dependent Town District within Waipa County |
| Kohukohu | fl. 1952 | | 4.13 km$^2$ | |
| Leamington | 1905 | 1956 | 5.38 km$^2$ | Merged with Cambridge borough. |
| Leeston | fl. 1952 | | 1.58 km$^2$ | |
| Linwood | 28 October 1882 | 1893 | | Elevated to borough |
| Lumsden | fl. 1952 | | 5.12 km$^2$ | |
| Manaia | 1882 | fl. 1986 | 2.06 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Waimate West County |
| Mangaweka | fl. 1952 | | 3.86 km$^2$ | |
| Manunui | fl. 1952 | | | |
| Martinborough | 1906 | 1928 | | Elevated to borough |
| Marton | 1869 | 1879 | | Elevated to borough |
| Matamata | 1917 | 1935 | | Elevated to borough |
| Mercer | fl. 1952 | | 4.05 km$^2$ | |
| Moa | 1885 | 1902 | | Elevated to borough and renamed Inglewood |
| Morrinsville | 1908 | 1921 | | Elevated to borough |
| Mosgiel | 1882 | 1884 | | Elevated to Borough |
| Mount Maunganui | 1927 | 1945 | | Dependent on Tauranga County until 1937. Elevated to Borough 1945. |
| Nightcaps | 1918 | 1967 | 1.15 km$^2$ | |
| Normanby | fl. 1952 | | 1.05 km$^2$ | |
| Ohaupo | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 5.19 km$^2$ | Dependent Town District within Waipa County |
| Ohura | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 3.30 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Taumarunui County |
| Onerahi | fl. 1952 | | | |
| Opotiki | 1882 | 1911 | | Elevated to borough |
| Ormondville | 1885 | 1944 | | Merged into Dannevirke County |
| Otautau | fl. 1889 | 1978 | 3.86 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Wallace County |
| Ōtorohanga | fl. 1952 | | 2.27 km$^2$ | |
| Outram | 1882 | 1961 | 3.59 km$^2$ | Amalgamated with Taieri County |
| Papatoetoe | 28 March 1919 | 1946 | | Elevated to borough |
| Patutahi | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | | Dependent Town District within Cook County |
| Pleasant Point | fl. 1952 | | 2.95 km$^2$ | |
| Raglan | 1906 | 1938 | | Raglan Town Board started in 1878 and merged with local highways boards into Raglan County Council in 1889. It was re-inaugurated as Raglan Town Board in 1906 and continued until 1938, when the Board again merged into the County Council. |
| Rawene | fl. 1952 | | 1.84 km$^2$ | |
| Russell | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | 4.31 km$^2$ | Dependent Town District within Bay of Islands County |
| Southbridge | fl. 1952 | | 2.15 km$^2$ | |
| Sumner | 1883 | 1891 | | Elevated to borough |
| Tahunanui | 1920 | | | |
| Takaka | fl. 1952 | | 2.37 km$^2$ | |
| Taradale | 1886 | 1953 | 5.94 km$^2$ | Elevated to borough |
| Taupō | 1946 | fl. 1952 | 9.27 km$^2$ | |
| Tawa Flat | 1951 | fl. 1952 | 2.91 km$^2$ | |
| Te Karaka | fl. 1952 | | 3.16 km$^2$ | |
| Te Kauwhata | fl. 1952 | | 5.22 km$^2$ | |
| Te Puke | 1913 | 1935 | 5.34 km$^2$ | Elevated to borough |
| Tinwald | fl. 1952 | | 6.17 km$^2$ | |
| Tuakau | 1914 | fl. 1952 | 7.77 km$^2$ | |
| Waiuku | 1914 | fl. 1952 | 5.18 km$^2$ | |
| Warkworth | fl. 1952 | fl. 1972 | | Independent Town District within Rodney County |
| Waverley | 1877 | fl. 1986 | 1.96 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Patea County |
| Woolston | 13 September 1882 | 1893 | | Elevated to borough |
| Wyndham | 1882 | 1977 | 2.75 km$^2$ | Independent Town District within Southland County |

### 1989 reform of local government

By 1986, the number of territorial authorities and single-purpose authorities had grown to more than 850. In 1989 there was a major reform of local government in New Zealand. The numerous borough and county councils were amalgamated into larger districts, while the number of cities was reduced.
The lists above should include all local authorities that existed prior to 1989.

## Post-1989 local government reform
### Regions

13 regional councils were established through the passing of the Local Government Act 1987. Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council was disestablished in 1992, when its functions went to the unitary authorities Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough.
Auckland Regional Council was subsumed into the Auckland Council on 1 November 2010.

### City councils

Many of the city councils resulting from the 1989 reforms continue in operation. Seven territorial authorities (Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council, Waitakere City Council, North Shore City Council, Papakura District Council, Rodney District Council and Franklin District Council) were amalgamated into the Auckland Council in 2010.

### District councils

Most of the districts resulting from the 1989 reforms continue in operation. Banks Peninsula District is an exception; it was merged into Christchurch City Council in 2006.

## Footnotes

* ↑ Brunner Borough is last listed in the 1971 Yearbook
* ↑ Kumara Borough is last listed in the 1969 Yearbook