# Districts of New Zealand

A district in New Zealand is a territorial authority area governed by a district council as a second-tier of local government in New Zealand, below regional councils. They were formed as a result of the local government reforms in 1989. There are 53 districts in New Zealand, and they do not include the 12 city councils, the Auckland Council, and the Chatham Islands Council. District councils serve a combination of rural and urban communities, while city councils administer the larger urban areas. Three districts (Gisborne, Tasman, and Marlborough) are unitary authorities also performing the functions of a regional council.
Districts are not subdivisions of regions, and some of them fall within more than one region. Taupō District has the distinction of straddling the boundaries of four different regions. Regional council areas are based on water catchment areas, whereas district council areas are based on community of interest and road access. Regional councils are responsible for the administration of many environmental and public transport matters, while the district councils administer local roads and reserves, sewerage, building consents, the land use and subdivision aspects of resource management, and other local matters. Some activities are delegated to council-controlled organisations.

## Districts

There are currently 53 districts in New Zealand.

### North Island (34)

The North Island comprises 34 districts.

#### Northland Region (3)

* Far North District
* Kaipara District
* Whangarei District

#### Waikato Region (7)

* Hauraki District
* Matamata-Piako District
* Ōtorohanga District
* South Waikato District
* Thames-Coromandel District
* Waikato District
* Waipa District

#### Bay of Plenty Region (4)

* Kawerau District
* Ōpōtiki District
* Western Bay of Plenty District
* Whakatāne District

#### Hawke's Bay Region (3)

* Central Hawke's Bay District
* Hastings District
* Wairoa District

#### Taranaki Region (2)

* New Plymouth District
* South Taranaki District

#### Manawatū-Whanganui Region (4)

* Horowhenua District
* Manawatū District
* Ruapehu District
* Whanganui District

#### Wellington Region (4)

* Carterton District
* Kāpiti Coast District
* Masterton District
* South Wairarapa District

#### Transregional districts (6)

* Rangitikei District (Manawatū-Whanganui: 86.37%; Hawke's Bay: 13.63%)
* Rotorua Lakes District (Bay of Plenty: 61.52%; Waikato: 38.48%)
* Stratford District (Taranaki: 68.13%; Manawatū-Whanganui: 31.87%)
* Tararua District (Manawatū-Whanganui: 98.42%; Wellington: 1.58%)
* Taupō District (Waikato: 73.74%; Bay of Plenty: 14.31%; Hawke's Bay: 11.26%; Manawatū-Whanganui: 0.69%)
* Waitomo District (Waikato: 94.87%; Manawatū-Whanganui: 5.13%)

#### Unitary authority (1)

* Gisborne District

### South Island (19)

The South Island and Stewart Island comprise 19 districts.

#### West Coast Region (3)

* Buller District
* Grey District
* Westland District

#### Canterbury Region (8)

* Ashburton District
* Hurunui District
* Kaikōura District
* Mackenzie District
* Selwyn District
* Timaru District
* Waimakariri District
* Waimate District

#### Otago Region (3)

* Central Otago District
* Clutha District
* Queenstown-Lakes District

#### Southland Region (2)

* Gore District
* Southland District

#### Transregional district (1)

* Waitaki District (Canterbury: 59.61%; Otago: 40.39%)

#### Unitary authorities (2)

* Marlborough District
* Tasman District
Notes:
* Kaikōura District was transferred from the Nelson-Marlborough Region to the Canterbury Region in 1992.
* The Banks Peninsula District became a part of Christchurch as a result of 2005 referendum.
* Franklin District, Papakura District, and Rodney District no longer exist as of 2010. They became part of other districts and the Auckland Region.