Southland District

Southland District is a New Zealand territorial authority that covers the south of the South Island as well as Stewart Island/Rakiura.

Southland District
Territorial authority
Location of the Southland District within the South Island
CountryNew Zealand
RegionSouthland Region
DistrictSouthland District
WardsMararoa Waimea
Stewart Island Rakiura
Waiau Aparima
Waihopai Toetoes
Winton Wallacetown
Formed1989
SeatInvercargill
Government
 • MayorGary Tong
Area
 • Total30,400.94 km2 (11,737.87 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2019)[1]
 • Total32,100
 • Density1.1/km2 (2.7/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
Map of postcodes
WebsiteSouthland District Council

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 County and most of 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
Lake Manapouri

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 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).

Towns and localities

Southland District contains the following towns and localities:

Mararoa Waimea Ward

Waiau Aparima Ward

Waihopai Toetoes Ward

Winton Wallacetown Ward

Stewart Island-Rakiura Ward

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
200628,437—    
201329,613+0.58%
201830,864+0.83%
Source: [4]

Southland District had a population of 30,864 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,251 people (4.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,427 people (8.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 11,982 households. There were 16,029 males and 14,835 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. Of the total population, 6,534 people (21.2%) were aged up to 15 years, 5,262 (17.0%) were 15 to 29, 14,436 (46.8%) were 30 to 64, and 4,635 (15.0%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

Ethnicities were 88.1% European/Pākehā, 11.1% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 6.2% Asian, and 2.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.7% had no religion, 38.4% were Christian, and 2.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 3,363 (13.8%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 5,739 (23.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,300. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 13,956 (57.4%) people were employed full-time, 4,053 (16.7%) were part-time, and 519 (2.1%) were unemployed.[4]

Mayor
Main article: Mayor of Southland District

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

References
  1. "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. "Role of Council". Southland District Council. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  3. Veltkamp Smith, Pat (29 June 2011). "Life of community works". The Southland Times. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  4. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Southland District (073). 2018 Census place summary: Southland District
  5. Cinque Terre Sister City agreement to be signed on Thursday (Southland District Council press release 24 March 2009)
  6. Wyong Shire Council (14 January 2010). "Councillors aren't flippant when it comes to expenses". Retrieved 21 May 2012.
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