South Island
Government and politics -- Administrative divisions
Table:
Name

Seat

Area (km2)[45]

Population[4]

Density (per km2)

Region(s)

Ashburton District

Ashburton

6,208

34,400

5.54

Canterbury

Buller District

Westport

7,950

9,880

1.24

West Coast

Central Otago District

Alexandra

9,966

22,200

2.23

Otago

Christchurch City

Christchurch

1,610[5]

380,200

236.15

Canterbury

Clutha District

Balclutha

6,406

18,200

2.84

Otago

Dunedin City

Dunedin

3,340

130,500

39.07

Otago

Gore District

Gore

1,251

12,750

10.19

Southland

Grey District

Greymouth

3,516

13,750

3.91

West Coast

Hurunui District

Amberley

8,661

12,950

1.50

Canterbury

Invercargill City

Invercargill

491

55,800

113.65

Southland

Kaikoura District

Kaikoura

2,050

4,030

1.97

Canterbury

Mackenzie District

Fairlie

7,442

5,010

0.67

Canterbury

Marlborough District

Blenheim

12,484

48,800

3.91

unitary authority

Nelson City

Nelson

445

52,400

117.75

unitary authority

Queenstown-Lakes District

Queenstown

9,368

40,200

4.29

Otago

Selwyn District

Rolleston

6,557

62,300

9.50

Canterbury

Southland District

Invercargill

32,605[6]

31,800

0.98

Southland

Tasman District

Richmond

9,786

54,000

5.52

unitary authority

Timaru District

Timaru

2,726

47,700

17.50

Canterbury

Waimakariri District

Rangiora

2,216

61,300

27.66

Canterbury

Taking into account the following table as well as the context snippets provided at the end.

Give the answer to the question: What is the population whose district/city occupies the majority of the geographical area known as South Otago ? Respond with the correct answer (omit explanations) in JSON format as {"answer": "YOUR ANSWER"}. Avoid adding external knowledge.

New Zealand is divided into sixteen regions ( Māori : takiwā ) for local government purposes . Eleven are administered by regional councils ( the top tier of local government ) , and five are administered by unitary authorities , which are territorial authorities ( the second tier of local government ) that also perform the functions of regional councils . The Chatham Islands Council is similar to a unitary authority , authorised under its own legislation .
Ashburton ( Māori : Hakatere ) is a large town in the Canterbury Region , on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand . The town is the seat of the Ashburton District , a territorial authority encompassing the town and a number of small settlements within its surrounding rural area , roughly coterminous with the subregion of Mid Canterbury . It is 85 kilometres ( 53 mi ) south west of Christchurch and is sometimes regarded as a satellite town of Christchurch . Ashburton township has a population of 20,200 , with an additional 12,400 living in the wider district . The town is the 23rd largest urban area in New Zealand and the third-largest urban area in the Canterbury Region , after Christchurch and Timaru .
Ashburton ( Māori : Hakatere ) is a large town in the Canterbury Region , on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand . The town is the seat of the Ashburton District , a territorial authority encompassing the town and a number of small settlements within its surrounding rural area , roughly coterminous with the subregion of Mid Canterbury . It is 85 kilometres ( 53 mi ) south west of Christchurch and is sometimes regarded as a satellite town of Christchurch . Ashburton township has a population of 20,200 , with an additional 12,400 living in the wider district . The town is the 23rd largest urban area in New Zealand and the third-largest urban area in the Canterbury Region , after Christchurch and Timaru .
Canterbury ( Māori : Waitaha ) is a region of New Zealand , located in the central-eastern South Island . The region covers an area of 44,508 square kilometres ( 17,185 sq mi ) , and is home to a population of 617,700 ( June 2018 ) . The region in its current form was established in 1989 during nationwide local government reforms . The Kaikoura District joined the region in 1992 following the abolition of the Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council . Christchurch , the South Island 's largest city and the country 's third-largest urban area , is the seat of the region and home to 65 percent of the region 's population . Other major towns and cities include Timaru , Ashburton , Rangiora and Rolleston .
Buller District is one of 53 districts of New Zealand , and is within the West Coast Region . It covers Westport , Karamea , Reefton and Inangahua Junction . Buller District 's overall land area is 7,953.12 km² ( 3,070.72 sq mi ) . The district is administered by the Buller District Council with the seat in Westport , in which 45% of the district 's population live .
Westport ( Māori : Kawatiri ) is a town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand . It is on the northern bank and at the mouth of the Buller River , close by the prominent headland of Cape Foulwind . It is connected via State Highway 6 with Greymouth , 100 kilometres ( 62 mi ) to the south , and with Nelson 222 kilometres ( 138 mi ) in the northeast , via the Buller Gorge . The town is thought to have been named after Westport , County Mayo in Ireland , although the choice of name was no doubt also guided by the town 's location . The population of the Westport urban area was 4,035 in the 2013 census , an increase of 138 from 2006 . Including the surrounding area of Orowaiti , the 2013 population was 4,755 . The Buller District had a population of 10,473 in 2013 .
The West Coast ( Māori : Te Tai Poutini ) is a region of New Zealand on the west coast of the South Island that is administered by the West Coast Regional Council . It comprises the territorial authorities of Buller District , Grey District and Westland District . The principal towns are Westport , Greymouth , and Hokitika . The region is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country .
Central Otago District is local government district in New Zealand . It is administered by the Central Otago District Council and it is in the Otago region , the top tier of local government in New Zealand . The major towns in the district are Alexandra ( the seat of local government ) , Cromwell , Roxburgh , Clyde and Ranfurly . The Central Otago District is part of what is informally known as Central Otago . It was formed in 1989 from the merger of the former Vincent and Maniototo Counties . The current mayor is Tim Cadogan , who comfortably unseated the incumbent , Tony Lepper in the 2016 local elections . Mr Cadogan polled 5047 votes , more than double that polled by Mr Lepper , with 2521 votes .
Alexandra ( Māori : Manuherikia or Areketanara ) is a town in the Central Otago district of the South Island of New Zealand . It is located on the banks of the Clutha River ( at the confluence of the Manuherikia River ) , on State Highway 8 , 188 kilometres ( 117 mi ) by road from Dunedin and 33 kilometres ( 21 mi ) south of Cromwell . At the time of the 2013 census , the permanent population was 4,800 , a decrease of 24 since 2006 . 27.1 per cent of the population ( higher than the national average ) was aged over 65 .
Otago ( /əˈtɑːɡoʊ/ ( listen ) , /oʊ- , ɒ-/ , Maori : Ōtākou [ ɔ : ˈta : kou ] ) is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council . It has an area of approximately 32,000 square kilometres ( 12,000 sq mi ) , making it the country 's third largest local government region . Its population was 232,300 in June 2018 . The name Otago is an Anglicisation of Otakou , the name of the Māori village near the entrance to the harbour . The exact meaning of the term is disputed , with common translations being isolated village and place of red earth , the latter referring to the reddish-ochre clay which is common in the area around Dunedin . Otago is also the old name of the European settlement on the Otago Harbour , established by the Weller Brothers in 1831 , which lies close to the modern harbourside community of Otakou . The place later became the focus of the Otago Association , an offshoot of the Free Church of Scotland , notable for its adoption of the principle that ordinary people , not the landowner , should choose the ministers . Major centres include Dunedin ( the principal city ) , Oamaru ( made famous by Janet Frame ) , Balclutha , Alexandra , and the major tourist centres Queenstown and Wanaka . Kaitangata in South Otago is a prominent source of coal . The Waitaki and Clutha rivers provide much of the country 's hydroelectric power . Some parts of the area originally covered by Otago Province are now administered by either Canterbury Regional Council or Southland Regional Council . The Central Otago wine region produces award-winning wines made from varieties such as the Pinot noir , Chardonnay , Sauvignon blanc , Merlot and Riesling grapes .
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand . It is a territorial authority elected to represent the 380,200 people of Christchurch . Since October 2013 , the Mayor of Christchurch is Lianne Dalziel , who succeeded Bob Parker . The council currently consists of 16 councillors elected from sixteen wards , and is presided over by the Mayor , who is elected at large . The number of elected members and ward boundaries changed prior during the 2016 election .
Christchurch ( /ˈkraɪstʃɜːrtʃ/ ; Māori : Ōtautahi ) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region . The Christchurch urban area lies on the South Island 's east coast , just north of Banks Peninsula . The urban area is home to 377,200 residents , and the territorial authority has 385,500 people , which makes it the second-most populous city in New Zealand after Auckland and before Wellington . The Avon River flows through the centre of the city , with an urban park located along its banks . Archaeological evidence has indicated that people first settled in the Christchurch area in about 1250 . Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on 31 July 1856 , making it officially the oldest established city in New Zealand . The Canterbury Association , which settled the Canterbury Plains , named the city after Christ Church , Oxford . The new settlement was laid out in a grid pattern centred on Cathedral Square ; during the 19th century there were few barriers to the rapid growth of the urban area , except for the Pacific to the east and the Port Hills to the south . Agriculture is the historic mainstay of Christchurch 's economy . The early presence of the University of Canterbury and the heritage of the city 's academic institutions in association with local businesses has fostered a number of technology-based industries . Christchurch is one of five 'gateway cities ' for Antarctic exploration , hosting Antarctic support bases for several nations . The city suffered a series of earthquakes between September 2010 and January 2012 , with the most destructive of them occurring at 12.51 p.m. on Tuesday , 22 February 2011 , in which 185 people were killed and thousands of buildings across the city collapsed or suffered severe damage .
Clutha District is a local government district of southern New Zealand , with its headquarters in the Otago town of Balclutha . The Clutha District has a land area of 6,362.86 km² ( 2,456.71 sq mi ) and a 2006 census population of 16,839 usual residents . Clutha District occupies the majority of the geographical area known as South Otago .
Balclutha ( Māori : Iwikatea ) is a town in Otago , lying towards the end of the Clutha River , on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand . It is about halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill on the Main South Line railway , State Highway 1 and the Southern Scenic Route . Balclutha has a population of 3,990 ( as of June 2018 ) , and is the largest town in South Otago . The Clutha District Council is based in Balclutha . The major service center for the fertile farming region around the lower reaches of the Clutha River , it is also the nearest large town to the Catlins , a scenic region of native forest , wildlife , and rugged coastline .
Dunedin ( /dʌˈniːdɪn/ ( listen ) duh-NEE-din ; Māori : Ōtepoti ) is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand ( after Christchurch ) , and the principal city of the Otago region . Its name comes from Dùn Èideann , the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh , the capital of Scotland . The urban area of Dunedin lies on the central-eastern coast of Otago , surrounding the head of Otago Harbour , and the harbour and hills around Dunedin are the remnants of an extinct volcano . The city suburbs extend out into the surrounding valleys and hills , onto the isthmus of the Otago Peninsula , and along the shores of the Otago Harbour and the Pacific Ocean . Dunedin was the largest New Zealand city by territorial land area until superseded by Auckland with the formation of the Auckland Council in November 2010 . Archaeological evidence points to lengthy occupation of the area by Māori prior to the arrival of Europeans . The province and region of Otago takes its name from the Ngai Tahu village of Otakou at the mouth of the harbour , which became a whaling station in the 1830s . In 1848 a Scottish settlement was established by the Lay Association of the Free Church of Scotland . Between 1855 and 1900 many thousands of Scots emigrated to the incorporated city . Dunedin became wealthy during the Central Otago Gold Rush , beginning in the 1860s . In the mid-1860s , and between 1878 and 1881 , it was New Zealand 's largest urban area . The city population at 5 March 2013 was 120,246 .
Gore District is a municipality in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand .
Gore ( Māori : Maruawai ) is a town and district in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand .
Southland ( Māori : Murihiku ) is New Zealand 's southernmost region . It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura . It includes Southland District , Gore District and the city of Invercargill . The region covers over 3.1 million hectares and spans over 3,400 km of coast .
Grey District in the West Coast Region of New Zealand is a municipality that covers Greymouth , Runanga , Blackball , Cobden and settlements along the Grey River . It has a land area of 3,516.48 square kilometres ( 1,357.72 sq mi ) . The seat of the Grey District Council , the local government authority that administers the district , is at Greymouth , where 27% of the district 's population live . The Grey District is on the West Coast of the South Island . It stretches from the south banks of the Punakaiki River in the north , southeast to Mt Anderson , north to The Pinacle , southeast to Craigeburn , in a southeast direction to Mt Barron , southwest to Jacksons and following the Taramakau River to the Tasman Sea . The district is rich in history and character . Key industries are tourism , mining , agriculture , fishing , manufacturing and services industries . The main hospital for the West Coast is in Greymouth .
Greymouth ( /ˈɡreɪmaʊθ/ ) ( Māori : Māwhera ) is the largest town in the West Coast region in the South Island of New Zealand , and the seat of the Grey District Council . The population of the whole Grey District is 13,750 , which accounts for 42% of the West Coast 's inhabitants . The Greymouth urban area had an estimated population of 9,700 ( June 2018 ) . The District Council expects growth of 1.5% per year between 2006 and 2016 .
Hurunui District is a territorial local government district within the Canterbury Region on the east coast of New Zealand 's South Island , north of Christchurch . It stretches from the east coast to the Main Divide . Its land area is 8,660.43 square kilometres ( 3,343.81 sq mi ) .
Amberley is a town located in the Hurunui District in north Canterbury , on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand . It is located on State Highway 1 approximately 50 km north of Christchurch . It is the seat of the Hurunui District Council .
Invercargill ( /ˌɪnvərˈkɑːrɡɪl/ , Māori : Waihōpai ) is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand , and one of the southernmost cities in the world . It is the commercial centre of the Southland region . The city lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff , which is the southernmost town in the South Island . It sits amid rich farmland that is bordered by large areas of conservation land and marine reserves , including Fiordland National Park covering the south-west corner of the South Island and the Catlins coastal region . Many streets in the city , especially in the centre and main shopping district , are named after rivers in Great Britain , mainly Scotland . These include the main streets Dee and Tay , as well as those named after the Tweed , Forth , Tyne , Esk , Don , Ness , Yarrow , Spey and Eye rivers . The 2013 census showed the population was 51,696 , up 2.7% on the 2006 census number .
Invercargill ( /ˌɪnvərˈkɑːrɡɪl/ , Māori : Waihōpai ) is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand , and one of the southernmost cities in the world . It is the commercial centre of the Southland region . The city lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff , which is the southernmost town in the South Island . It sits amid rich farmland that is bordered by large areas of conservation land and marine reserves , including Fiordland National Park covering the south-west corner of the South Island and the Catlins coastal region . Many streets in the city , especially in the centre and main shopping district , are named after rivers in Great Britain , mainly Scotland . These include the main streets Dee and Tay , as well as those named after the Tweed , Forth , Tyne , Esk , Don , Ness , Yarrow , Spey and Eye rivers . The 2013 census showed the population was 51,696 , up 2.7% on the 2006 census number .
Kaikoura ( /kaɪˈkɔːrə/ ; officially Kaikōura ) is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand . It is located on State Highway 1 , 180 km north of Christchurch . The town has an estimated permanent resident population of 2,150 ( as of June 2018 ) . The town is the governmental seat of the territorial authority of the Kaikoura District , which is politically a part of the Canterbury region . Kaikoura was the first local authority in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve recognition by the EarthCheck Community Standard . The infrastructure of Kaikoura was heavily damaged in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake , which caused two deaths in the area . The bay and surrounding region were uplifted by as much as 2 metres .
Kaikoura ( /kaɪˈkɔːrə/ ; officially Kaikōura ) is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand . It is located on State Highway 1 , 180 km north of Christchurch . The town has an estimated permanent resident population of 2,150 ( as of June 2018 ) . The town is the governmental seat of the territorial authority of the Kaikoura District , which is politically a part of the Canterbury region . Kaikoura was the first local authority in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve recognition by the EarthCheck Community Standard . The infrastructure of Kaikoura was heavily damaged in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake , which caused two deaths in the area . The bay and surrounding region were uplifted by as much as 2 metres .
Mackenzie District is a local government district in New Zealand 's South Island administered by the Mackenzie District Council . It is part of the larger Canterbury region .
Fairlie is a Mackenzie District service town located in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand . As of the 2013 census , the population was 717 . From 1884 to 1968 , the town was served by the Fairlie Branch railway , though until 1934 , this branch line actually terminated a kilometre beyond Fairlie in Eversley . Fairlie is commonly known as the gateway to the Mackenzie Basin . It was first known as Fairlie 's Creek and supposedly named because it reminded early settlers of Fairlie in Scotland . Fairlie hosts the annual Mackenzie District Agricultural and Pastoral show every Easter Monday . The 105th annual show was in 2006 . Being on the tourist highway between Christchurch and Queenstown , tourism is fast becoming a major industry within the town .
The Marlborough Region ( Māori : Te Tauihu-o-te-waka , or Tauihu ) , commonly known simply as Marlborough , is one of the regions of New Zealand , located in the northeast of the South Island . Marlborough is a unitary authority , both a region and a district . Marlborough District Council is based at Blenheim , the largest town . The region has a population of 48,800 ( June 2018 ) . Marlborough is known for its dry climate , the Marlborough Sounds , and Sauvignon blanc wine . It takes its name from the earlier Marlborough Province , which was named after His Grace General The 1st Duke of Marlborough , an English general and statesman .
Blenheim ( /ˈblɛnɪm/ BLEN-im ; Māori : Waiharakeke ) is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough , in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand . It has an urban population of 31,600 ( June 2018 ) . The surrounding Marlborough wine region is well known as the centre of the New Zealand wine industry . It enjoys one of New Zealand 's sunniest climates , with warm , relatively dry summers and cool , crisp winters . Blenheim is named after the Battle of Blenheim ( 1704 ) , where troops led by John Churchill , 1st Duke of Marlborough defeated a combined French and Bavarian force . The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of flax stream for Waiharakeke .
A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national government . Typically unitary authorities cover towns or cities which are large enough to function independently of county or other regional administration . Sometimes they consist of national sub-divisions which are distinguished from others in the same country by having no lower level of administration .
Nelson ( Māori : Whakatū ) is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay . Nelson is the oldest city in the South Island and the second-oldest settled city in New Zealand - it was established in 1841 and was proclaimed a city by royal charter in 1858 . Nelson City is bordered to the west and south-west by Tasman District Council and to the north-east , east and south-east by Marlborough District Council . The city does not include Richmond , the area 's second-largest settlement . Nelson City has a population of around 50,000 , making it New Zealand 's 12th most populous city . When combined with the town of Richmond , which has roughly 15,000 residents , the whole conurbation is ranked as New Zealand 's 9th largest urban area by population . Nelson is well known for its thriving local arts and crafts scene ; each year , the city hosts events popular with locals and tourists alike , such as the Nelson Arts Festival . The annual Wearable Art Awards began near Nelson and a local museum , World of Wearable Art now showcases winning designs alongside a collection of classic cars .
Queenstown-Lakes District , a local government district , is in the Otago Region of New Zealand . It is surrounded by the districts of Central Otago , Southland , Westland and Waitaki . Much of the area is often referred to as Queenstown because of the popularity of the resort town , but the district covers a much wider area , including the towns of Wanaka to the north-east , Glenorchy to the north-west and Kingston to the south . The district is sometimes called the Southern Lakes , as it contains Lake Wakatipu , Lake Wanaka and Lake Hāwea .
Queenstown ( Māori : Tāhuna ) is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand 's South Island . It has an urban population of 15,850 ( June 2018 ) , making it the 27th-largest urban area in New Zealand . In 2016 , Queenstown overtook Oamaru to become the second-largest urban area in Otago , behind Dunedin . The town is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu , a long , thin , Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes , and has views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables , Cecil Peak , Walter Peak and just above the town , Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill . The Queenstown-Lakes District has a land area of 8,704.97 square kilometres ( 3,361.01 sq mi ) not counting its inland lakes ( Lake Hāwea , Lake Wakatipu , and Lake Wanaka ) . The region has an estimated resident population of 40,200 ( June 2018 ) . Neighbouring towns include Arrowtown , Glenorchy , Kingston , Wanaka , Alexandra , and Cromwell . The nearest cities are Dunedin and Invercargill . Queenstown is known for its commerce-oriented tourism , especially adventure and ski tourism .
Selwyn District is a predominantly rural area in central Canterbury , on the east coast of New Zealand 's South Island . It is named after the Selwyn River , which is in turn named after Bishop George Selwyn , the first Anglican bishop of New Zealand who , in 1843 and 1844 , travelled the length of the country by horse , foot , boat and canoe , leaving in his wake a sprinkling of locations that now bear his name .
Rolleston /ˈrɒləstən/ is the seat and largest town in the Selwyn District , in the Canterbury region of New Zealand 's South Island . It is located on the Canterbury Plains 22 kilometres ( 14 mi ) south-west of Christchurch , and is considered a satellite town of the city . The town has a population of 16,250 ( June 2018 ) , making it New Zealand 's 27th largest urban area .
Southland District is a territorial authority in the South Island of New Zealand .
Tasman District Council is the unitary local authority for the Tasman District of New Zealand .
Richmond is a town , and the seat of the Tasman District Council , that lies 13 kilometres ( 8 mi ) south of Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand , close to the southern extremity of Tasman Bay . The town was first settled in 1842 and was named in 1854 after the town of Richmond on Thames near London . By 2014 it had an estimated population of 13,606 . Although Richmond lies outside the boundaries of Nelson City , it forms part of the Nelson Urban Area for statistical purposes and is informally considered as part of Greater Nelson or the Top of the South . The two unitary authorities co-operate for tourism-marketing purposes via Latitude Nelson .
Timaru District is a local government district in New Zealand 's South Island administered by the Timaru District Council . It is part of the larger Canterbury region .
Timaru ( English : /ˈtɪməˌruː/ ; Māori : Te Tihi-o-Maru ) is a port city in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand , located 157 kilometres ( 98 mi ) southwest of Christchurch and about 196 kilometres ( 122 mi ) northeast of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific coast of the South Island . The Timaru urban area is home to 29,100 people , and is the largest urban area in South Canterbury , and the second largest in the Canterbury Region overall , after Christchurch . The city is the seat of the Timaru District , which includes the surrounding rural area and the towns of Geraldine , Pleasant Point and Temuka , which combined has a total population of 47,700 . Caroline Bay beach is a popular recreational area located close to Timaru 's city centre , just to the north of the substantial port facilities . Beyond Caroline Bay , the industrial suburb of Washdyke is at a major junction with State Highway 8 , the main route into the Mackenzie Country . This provides a road link to Pleasant Point , Fairlie , Twizel , Lake Tekapo , Aoraki / Mount Cook and Queenstown . Timaru has been built on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt Horrible volcano , which last erupted thousands of years ago . The result is that most of the main streets are undulating , a clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains to the north . This volcanic rock is used for the construction of local bluestone buildings .
Waimakariri District is a local government district , located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand 's South Island . It is named after the Waimakariri River , which forms the district 's southern boundary , separating it from Christchurch City and the Selwyn District . It is bounded in the north by the Hurunui District and in the east by the Pacific Ocean . The district was established on 1 April 1989 following the merger of Rangiora District and Eyre County . The district covers 2,219 square kilometres ( 857 sq mi ) , and is home to 61,300 people . Rangiora is the district seat and largest town , with other major towns including Kaiapoi , Oxford , Pegasus and Woodend . The current district mayor is Dan Gordon , who was elected in the 2019 local body elections .
Rangiora is the largest town and seat of the Waimakariri District , in Canterbury , New Zealand . It is 29 kilometres ( 18 mi ) north of Christchurch , and is considered [ by whom ? ] a satellite town of the city . With a population of 18,300 ( June 2018 ) , Rangiora is the 25th largest urban area in New Zealand , and the fourth-largest in the Canterbury region ( behind Christchurch , Timaru and Ashburton ) .