South Wairarapa District
South Wairarapa District | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Region | Wellington |
| Seat | Martinborough |
| Wards | |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Adrienne Staples |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,484.55 km2 (959.29 sq mi) |
| Population (2006 Census) | |
• Total | 8,892 |
| • Density | 3.6/km2 (9.3/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 6,820 |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) | 5710, 5711, 5712, 5740, 5741, 5742, 5771, 5772, 5773, 5781, 5782, 5783, 5784, 5794 |
| Area code | 06 |
| Website | http://www.swdc.govt.nz |
The South Wairarapa District Council controls the south-east tip of the North Island of New Zealand.
The district is part of the Wellington region, although the Wairarapa itself is a very distinct geographical area of New Zealand.
The district includes towns such as Featherston, Martinborough (a well-known wine-producing area, with central streets forming a Union Flag pattern), and Greytown (where Arbour Day was first celebrated in New Zealand).
The topography of the district includes the floodplain of the Ruamahanga River and the associated Lake Wairarapa, as well as the long southern stretch of Palliser Bay. To the west of the plains rise the eastern slopes of the Rimutaka Range, the crest of which forms the western boundary of the district, while the Aorangi Range lies to the southeast. The southernmost point of the North Island, Cape Palliser is in the South Wairarapa.
Shibboleth: Some New Zealanders refer to "The Wairarapa", rather than just "Wairarapa", and this usage carries over to the constituent parts of this former region. Thus, South Wairarapa is sometimes referred to as The South Wairarapa.