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Local Government Act 2002

Savings

Schedule 2: Local authorities

You could also call this:

“List of New Zealand's local councils and their areas”

This section of the Local Government Act 2002 lists the regional councils and territorial authorities in New Zealand, along with details about their boundaries.

The regional councils are listed in Part 1, including councils like Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Canterbury Regional Council, and Wellington Regional Council. Each council is noted with the order that established it.

Part 2 lists the city and district councils, such as Auckland Council, Christchurch City Council, and Wellington City Council. Again, each council is listed with its establishing order.

Part 3 covers boundary rules. It states that regional boundaries extend to the outer limits of New Zealand’s territorial sea. District boundaries can be between the high-water mark and the outer limit of the territorial sea. Rivers between districts form the boundary at the middle of the river. The Minister can adjust boundaries for reclaimed land or uninhabited areas by notice in the Gazette.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM174258.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councils
Environment and resources > Town planning
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Schedule 1: Acts under which responsibilities, powers, and duties are conferred or imposed on Minister of Local Government and Secretary for Local Government, or

“Laws that give jobs and powers to people who help run your local area”

Next

Schedule 3: Reorganisation of local authorities, or

“How councils can change to better serve their communities”

2Local authorities Empowered by ss 5(1), 21(3), 25(5), 27(4)

Part 1Regional councils

The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Regional councils. Column 2 is headed Constituted by.
Regional councils Constituted by
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2275
Canterbury Regional Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Hawke's Bay Regional Council Local Government (Hawke's Bay Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2334
Manawatū–Whanganui Regional Council Local Government (Manawatu-Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Northland Regional Council Local Government (Northland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2391
Otago Regional Council Local Government (Otago Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2408
Southland Regional Council Local Government (Southland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2430
Taranaki Regional Council Local Government (Taranaki Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2445
Waikato Regional Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Wellington Regional Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
West Coast Regional Council Local Government (West Coast Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2517
Notes
  • Schedule 2 Part 1: amended, on , by clause 3(2) of the Local Government (Manawatū–Whanganui Regional Council) Order 2019 (LI 2019/221).
  • Schedule 2 Part 1: amended, on , by section 113(1) of the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010 (2010 No 37).

Part 2Territorial authorities

The following table is medium in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed City and District Councils. Column 2 is headed Constituted by.
City and District Councils Constituted by
Ashburton District Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Auckland Council section 6(1) of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009
Buller District Council Local Government (West Coast Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2517
Carterton District Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
Central Hawke's Bay District Council Local Government (Hawke's Bay Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2334
Central Otago District Council Local Government (Otago Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2408
Chatham Islands Council Chatham Islands Council Act 1995
Christchurch City Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Clutha District Council Local Government (Otago Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2408
Dunedin City Council Local Government (Otago Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2408
Far North District Council Local Government (Northland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2391
Gisborne District Council Local Government (Gisborne Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2328
Gore District Council Local Government (Southland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2430
Grey District Council Local Government (West Coast Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2517
Hamilton City Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Hastings District Council Local Government (Hawke's Bay Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2334
Hauraki District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Horowhenua District Council Local Government (Manawatu–Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Hurunui District Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Hutt City Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
Invercargill City Council Local Government (Invercargill City) Reorganisation Order 1990, Gazette 1990, p 2326
Kaikoura District Council Local Government (Nelson–Marlborough Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2375
Kaipara District Council Local Government (Northland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2391
Kapiti Coast District Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
Kawerau District Council Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2275
Mackenzie District Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Manawatu District Council Local Government (Manawatu–Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Marlborough District Council Local Government (Nelson–Marlborough Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2375
Masterton District Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
Matamata-Piako District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Napier City Council Local Government (Hawke's Bay Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2334
Nelson City Council Local Government (Nelson–Marlborough Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2375
New Plymouth District Council Local Government (Taranaki Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2445
Ōpōtiki District Council Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2275
Ōtorohanga District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Palmerston North City Council Local Government (Manawatu-Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Porirua City Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
Queenstown-Lakes District Council Local Government (Otago Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2408
Rangitikei District Council Local Government (Manawatu–Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Rotorua District Council Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2275
Ruapehu District Council Local Government (Manawatu-Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Selwyn District Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
South Wairarapa District Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
South Taranaki District Council Local Government (Taranaki Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2445
South Waikato District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Southland District Council Local Government (Southland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2430
Stratford District Council Local Government (Taranaki Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2445
Tararua District Council Local Government (Manawatu–Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Tasman District Council Local Government (Nelson–Marlborough Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2375
Taupo District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Tauranga City Council Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2275
Thames-Coromandel District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Timaru District Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Upper Hutt City Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
Waikato District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Waimakariri District Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Waimate District Council Local Government (Canterbury Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2296
Waipa District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Wairoa District Council Local Government (Hawke's Bay Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2334
Waitaki District Council Local Government (Otago Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2408
Waitomo District Council Local Government (Waikato Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2460
Wellington City Council Local Government (Wellington Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2491
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2275
Westland District Council Local Government (West Coast Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2517
Whakatane District Council Local Government (Bay of Plenty Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2275
Whanganui District Council Local Government (Manawatu-Wanganui Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2351
Whangarei District Council Local Government (Northland Region) Reorganisation Order 1989, Gazette 1989, p 2391
Notes
  • Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on , by clause 3 of the Local Government (Ōpōtiki District Council) Order 2019 (LI 2019/331).
  • Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on , by clause 3 of the Local Government (Ōtorohanga District Council) Order 2019 (LI 2019/330).
  • Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on , by clause 3 of the Local Government (Whanganui District Council) Order 2015 (LI 2015/275).
  • Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on , by section 4 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act (No 2) 2012 (2012 No 107).
  • Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on , by section 113(1) of the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010 (2010 No 37).
  • Schedule 2 Part 2: amended, on , by clause 5 of the Local Government (Tauranga City Council) Order 2003 (SR 2003/275).

Part 3Boundaries

1Boundaries of regions

  1. If any part of the boundary of a region is the sea, that boundary is the outer limits of the territorial sea of New Zealand.

  2. A region must be defined, as far as practicable, so that it does not contain a fraction of the district of a territorial authority.

  3. If the boundaries of a district that are the same as the boundaries of part of any region are altered,—

  4. the alteration also has effect with respect to the region; and
    1. the boundaries of the region are altered accordingly.

      1. Subclause (3) applies subject to the Order in Council made under section 25.

      Compare
      Notes
      • Schedule 2 Part 3 clause 1(4): amended, on , by section 35 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 93).

      2Boundaries of districts

      1. If any part of the boundary of a district is the sea, that boundary may be between the mean high-water mark and the outer limit of the territorial sea of New Zealand as determined by the Order in Council defining the district.

      2. If a river or stream runs between 2 or more districts, wholly or in part, the boundaries of the relevant districts, for the purposes of this Act, extend to the middle line of the river or stream and follow its natural course.

      3. If the boundaries of a district are altered and all or part of the boundaries concerned were the same as the boundaries of any region,—

      4. the alteration also has effect with respect to the boundaries of that part of the region; and
        1. the boundaries of the region are altered accordingly.

          1. Subclause (3) applies subject to the Order in Council made under section 25.

          Compare
          Notes
          • Schedule 2 Part 3 clause 2(4): amended, on , by section 35 of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 (2012 No 93).

          3Unitary authorities

          1. A territorial authority that is a unitary authority has—

          2. the responsibilities, duties, and powers of a territorial authority in respect of the district for which it was constituted; and
            1. the responsibilities, duties, and powers of a regional council in respect of the region over which it has control.

              1. If a territorial authority is a unitary authority, the boundaries of the district of the territorial authority and those of the region over which it has control, except the seaward boundaries, are the same.

              4Savings provisions for unitary authorities

              1. If, immediately before the commencement of this Act, a territorial authority has, under section 37N of the Local Government Act 1974, the responsibilities, duties, and powers of a regional council as well as its own responsibilities, duties, and powers, then the territorial authority—

              2. continues to have the responsibilities, duties, and powers of the regional council; and
                1. is a unitary authority for the purposes of this Act.

                  5Adjustments to boundaries

                  1. The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, alter the boundaries of a district or region to include or exclude—

                  2. land reclaimed from the sea adjacent to the district or region; or
                    1. land, including any island, that in the Minister's opinion should be included in or excluded from the district or region and in respect of which there are no electors.

                      1. Despite subclause (1),—

                      2. land reclaimed from the sea (whether lawfully or unlawfully) adjoining a district or region forms part of that district or region; and
                        1. if the reclaimed land forms part of 2 or more districts or regions, the boundary or boundaries between those districts or regions must be determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.