Southland District
| Southland | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Southland District | ||
| Land area | 30,400.94 km² (11,737.87 sq mi) | |
| Population | 31,800 (June 2018)[1] | |
| Seat of District Council | Invercargill* | |
| *not part of Southland District | ||
Southland District is a territorial authority in the South Island of New Zealand.
History
Southland District was formed through the 1989 local government reforms.[2] Four local authorities were amalgamated at that time: Wallace County, Winton Borough, Stewart Island and Southland County. John Casey, who was first elected onto Southland County Council in 1977, oversaw the amalgamation and was elected Southland District's first mayor in 1989.[3]
Geography
Southland District covers the majority of the land area of Southland Region, although the region also covers Gore District, Invercargill City and adjacent territorial waters. It has a land area of 30,400.94 km2, excluding inland waters such as Lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri, and Lake Hauroko.
Southland District contains the towns of Winton, Riverton, Lumsden and Te Anau, and the islands south of Foveaux Strait:
The seat of the District Council is Invercargill, which, however, is not part of Southland District, but a territorial authority in its own right.
Two of New Zealand's largest national parks are within the boundaries of Southland District: Fiordland National Park, and Rakiura National Park (which covers most of Stewart Island / Rakiura).
Mayor
The current district mayor is Gary Tong. He has held this position since 2013.
Council
The district council is made up of twelve elected members, from various ward areas, and like any other local authority is elected every three years.
Sister cities
Cinque Terre, Italy[4]
Southland District was a sister city to Wyong Shire in New South Wales, Australia until 2010.[5]
References
- ^ "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020. For urban areas, "Subnational population estimates (UA, AU), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996, 2001, 2006–18 (2017 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Role of Council". Southland District Council. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ Veltkamp Smith, Pat (29 June 2011). "Life of community works". The Southland Times. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ^ Cinque Terre Sister City agreement to be signed on Thursday (Southland District Council press release 24 March 2009)
- ^ Wyong Shire Council (14 January 2010). "Councillors aren't flippant when it comes to expenses". Retrieved 21 May 2012.