Mackenzie District

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.

For the former regional administrative district of Canada's Northwest Territories, see District of Mackenzie.
Mackenzie District
Territorial authority
Mackenzie District within the South Island
CountryNew Zealand
IslandSouth Island / Te Waipounamu
RegionCanterbury
DistrictMackenzie District Council
WardsOpuha
Pukaki
Formed1989
SeatFairlie
Government
 • MayorGraham Smith
 • Deputy MayorJames Leslie
Area
 • Total7,339.23 km2 (2,833.69 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2019)[1]
 • Total5,140
 • Density0.70/km2 (1.8/sq mi)
Postcode(s)
Map of postcodes
WebsiteMackenzie District Council

Principal settlements

The Mackenzie District only has three towns with a permanent population over 300 at the 2013 census:

  • Fairlie (pop. 690) – seat of the district
  • Twizel (pop. 1,140) – the district's largest town
  • Tekapo (pop. 370)

Other smaller settlements include:

Geography

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20063,801—    
20134,158+1.29%
20184,866+3.19%
Source: [2]

Mackenzie District had a population of 4,866 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 708 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,065 people (28.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,863 households. There were 2,511 males and 2,352 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.07 males per female. Of the total population, 801 people (16.5%) were aged up to 15 years, 978 (20.1%) were 15 to 29, 2,274 (46.7%) were 30 to 64, and 810 (16.6%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Ethnicities were 86.4% European/Pākehā, 6.8% Māori, 1.2% Pacific peoples, 8.9% Asian, and 3.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 24.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.7% had no religion, 37.1% were Christian, and 4.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 777 (19.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 702 (17.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,400. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,451 (60.3%) people were employed full-time, 660 (16.2%) were part-time, and 30 (0.7%) were unemployed.[2]

Economy
View near Twizel

A relatively sparsely settled area, the district does have a wide number of farms. However, in the late 2000s, numerous proposals for new farming operations have locals fearing that the agriculture will be transformed from often family-held farms to large agribusiness operations, causing increased local ecologic damage and siphoning off capital overseas.[3]

Climate

The Mackenzie District has a dry temperate-continental climate with clear, crisp snowy winters and long, hot summers. Autumn is known for being a riot of colour, while spring brings wildflowers blooming throughout the region, including lupins. The warm summer season is from November to February, with temperatures often passing 30 degrees. In the cooler winter season, from June to September, temperatures drop to below 0 degrees Celsius overnight, while sunny winter days average around 8 degrees and regular snowfall.[4]

History

The MacKenzie Basin was named in the 1850s by and after James Mckenzie, a Scottish-origin shepherd and sheep thief, and the name transferred to the modern district.

Notable places

Mountains
  • Aoraki/Mount Cook

Lakes

Glaciers

Skifields
  • Fox Peak
  • Mt Dobson
  • Round Hill
  • Tasman Glacier Heliski

National parks
  • Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

List of Mayors
Name Term of Office
Neil Anderson 1992–2001[5]
Stan Scorringe 2001–2004[6]
John O'Neill 2004–2010[7]
Claire Barlow 2010–2016[8]
Graham Smith 2016–present[9]

References
  1. "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Mackenzie District (065). 2018 Census place summary: Mackenzie District
  3. Taylor, Gary (2010-02-08). "A national treasure is being squandered". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  4. "Aoraki Mount Cook Mackenzie". mtcooknz.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-02. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  5. "Health Minister announces DHB deputy chairs". Scoop.co.nz. 21 December 2001.
  6. "Mayoral Election Results 2004 Affecting the Mayors Taskforce For Jobs". Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.
  7. "O'Neill plans family time". Stuff.co.nz. 8 October 2010.
  8. "Receptionist becomes Mayor for Mackenzie". Newshub. 10 October 2010.
  9. "'Exciting times' for new Mackenzie mayor Graham Smith". Stuff.co.nz. 9 October 2016.

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