Counties of New Zealand


The counties of New Zealand were territorial local authorities that governed the country's rural areas, existing from the abolition of the provinces in 1876 until the major local government reforms of 1989. They existed alongside the country's boroughs, town districts, and other territorial local authorities during that period.

History

From 1853 until 1876, New Zealand had a semi-federal system of provinces. Each province had its own legislature and superintendent. These provinces set up their own local boards and councils. The provinces were abolished on 1 November 1876, following the passage of the Abolition of the Provinces Act 1876.
The original Counties Bill intended to merge 314 road boards into 39 counties; however, as a result of lobbying, the final Counties Act 1876 as passed created 63 counties. The counties established by the Act were found to be too small; they could not effectively provide the expected services and mainly continued on the construction and maintenance of rural roads as the pre-existing road boards had done. Many ad hoc bodies were created to manage services such as education, health, water, and ports over the succeeding decades.
As of 1966, it was no longer possible to create new counties except for the merger of pre-existing counties. Counties at that point could create county towns, subordinate to the county, in areas with at least 200 people or 60 dwellings. There were 117 counties in 1966, with all but two having county councils; two remained without government as they were sparsely populated.
The Local Government Act 1974 sought to rationalise local government, attempting to tackle the problem whilst dealing with staunchly independent local authorities. The Act abolished the distinction between boroughs and counties, and allowed for the creation of regional units of government. The Act also increased the powers of the Local Government Commission.
Almost all of counties were abolished following the Fourth Labour Government's 1989 reforms to local government, which consolidated around 850 local government bodies into just 86. The exception was Chatham Islands County, which was abolished on 1 November 1995 following the passing of the Chatham Islands Council Act 1995, which transitioned the islands governance to a sui generis territorial authority.

Powers and responsibilities

County councils mainly concerned themselves with providing roads and controlling rivers and other waterways. These services were paid for by rates on property and government loans and subsidies.
Many small counties struggled to maintain roads to an acceptable standard; in 1922 a Main Highways Board was set up that would oversee roads across the country. In 1937, almost 6,500 km of highways were designated "state highways", with control being moved to the NHB over the counties.

Elections

The first elections for the county councils were to be held on 22 December 1876.

List of counties

CountyEstablishedAbolishedExisted forSuccessor
Mangonui County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Far North District.
Hokianga County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Far North District.
Bay of Islands County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Far North District.
Whangarei County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Whangarei District.
Hobson County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Kaipara District.
Whangaroa County1 January 18871 November 1989102 yearsMerged into Far North District.
Otamatea County1 January 18871 November 1989102 yearsMerged into Whangarei District and Kaipara District.
Rodney County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Kaipara District and Rodney District.
Waitemata County1 November 18761 August 197497 yearsThe territory of the county was divided between Waitemata City, Takapuna City, and Rodney County; the county itself was then abolished.
Eden County1 November 18761 April 195679 yearsMerged into Auckland City.
Waiheke County1 April 19701 November 198919 yearsMerged into Auckland City.
7 November 19121 November 198976 yearsMerged into Auckland City.
Manukau County1 November 18763 September 196588 yearsMerged with Manurewa Borough to form Manukau City.
Franklin County1 April 19121 November 198977 yearsMerged into Papakura District and Franklin District.
Coromandel County1 November 18761 October 197598 yearsMerged with Thames County and Thames Borough to form Thames-Coromandel District.
Thames County1 November 18761 October 197598 yearsMerged with Coromandel County and Thames Borough to form Thames-Coromandel District.
Raglan County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Franklin District, Waipa District, and Waikato District.
Waikato County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Hamilton City, Waipa District, Waikato District, and Matamata-Piako District.
Hauraki Plains County1 April 19121 November 198977 yearsMerged into Hauraki District.
Ohinemuri County8 September 18851 November 1989104 yearsMerged into Hauraki District, Matamata-Piako District, and Western Bay of Plenty District.
Piako County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Matamata-Piako District.
Waipa County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Waikato District, Hamilton City, South Waikato District and Waipa District.
Matamata County1 November 198981 yearsMerged into Matamata-Piako District, South Waikato District, Waipa District, Western Bay of Plenty District, Rotorua District, and Taupo District.
Waitomo County1 April 19051 April 197671 yearsMerged with Te Kuiti Borough to form Waitomo District.
Awakino County1 April 19041 April 192218 yearsMerged into Waitomo County.
Taupo County1 April 1922c. 1 December 198866 yearsMerged with Taupo Borough to form Taupo District.
West Taupo County1 November 18761 April 192245 yearsMerged with East Taupo to form Taupo County, various sections ceded to other counties.
East Taupo County1 November 18761 April 192245 yearsMerged with West Taupo to form Taupo County.
Tauranga County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Hauraki District, Tauranga District and Western Bay of Plenty District.
Matakaoa County1 April 19201 April 196545 yearsMerged into Waiapu county.
Opotiki County1 November 18991 November 198687 yearsBecame Opotiki District.
Rotorua County1 January 18871 April 197992 yearsMerged with Rotorua City to form Rotorua District.
Kawhia County1 November 187631 March 195679 yearsMerged into Otorohanga County.
Whakatane County1 November 18761 April 197699 yearsMerged with Whakatane Borough to form Whakatane District.
Waiapu County1 October 18901 November 198999 yearsMerged into Gisborne District.
Waikohu County10 October 19081 November 198981 yearsMerged into Gisborne District.
Uawa County10 December 19181 April 196445 yearsMerged into Cook County.
Cook County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Gisborne District.
Wairoa County1 November 18761 October 1986109 yearsMerged with Wairoa Borough to form Wairoa District.
Hawke's Bay County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Hastings District and Napier City.
Waipawa County1 November 18761 April 1978101 yearsMerged with Waipawa Borough to form Waipawa District.
Waipukurau County1 April 19081 April 197769 yearsMerged with Waipukurau Borough to form Waipukurau District.
Patangata County8 September 18851 July 197488 yearsMerged into Waipukurau County.
Clifton County6 January 18851 November 1989104 yearsMerged into Waitomo District and New Plymouth District.
Egmont County1 April 19021 November 198987 yearsMerged into South Taranaki District.
Taranaki County1 November 18761 October 1986109 yearsMerged with Waitara Borough to form North Taranaki District.
Whangamomona County9 November 19072 November 195547 yearsMerged into Stratford County.
Inglewood County1 April 192011 October 198666 yearsMerged with Inglewood Borough to form Inglewood District.
Kaitieke County3 December 19108 August 195645 yearsMerged with Taumarunui County
Stratford County10 September 1890c. 1 April 198998 yearsMerged with Stratford Borough to form Stratford District.
Waimate West County10 October 19081 October 198778 yearsMerged with Manaia Town District to form Waimate Plains District.
Eltham County29 October 1906c. October 198679 yearsMerged with Eltham Borough to form Eltham District.
Hawera County28 July 18811 October 197897 yearsMerged with Hawera Borough to form Hawera District.
Patea County1 November 18761 April 1987110 yearsMerged with Patea Borough and Waverly Town District to form Patea District.
Waitotara County26 February 1884103 yearsMerged into Wanganui County.
Ohura County10 October 19088 August 195647 yearsMerged with Taumarunui County
Taumarunui County1 April 19221 November 198967 yearsMerged into Stratford District, Waitomo District, Ruapehu District, and Taupo District.
Otorohanga County1 April 19221 April 197957 yearsBecame Otorohanga District.
Waimarino County2 October 1902c. 1 April 198885 yearsMerged with Ohakune Borough and Raetihi Borough to form Waimarino District.
Rangitikei County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Rangitikei District, Hastings District and Ruapehu District.
Manawatu County1 November 1876c. 1 April 1988111 yearsMerged with Kairanga County to form Manawatu District.
Kairanga County1 April 1902c. 1 April 198886 yearsMerged with Manawatu County to form Manawatu District.
Oroua County1 July 18831 November 1989106 yearsMerged into Manawatu District and Palmerston North City.
Kiwitea County2 September 18931 November 198996 yearsMerged into Rangitikei District and Manawatu District.
Pohangina County1 October 18941 November 198995 yearsMerged into Manawatu District.
Wanganui County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into South Taranaki District and Wanganui District.
Woodville County24 August 1901c. May 198987 yearsMerged with Woodville Borough to form Woodville District.
Dannevirke County1 April 1908c. April / May 198779 yearsMerged with Dannevirke Borough to form Dannevirke District.
Weber County2 October 19021 April 195653 yearsMerged into Dannevirke County.
Pahiatua County1 October 18881 November 1989101 yearsMerged into Tararua District.
Eketahuna County5 November 18981 November 198990 yearsMerged into Tararua District and Masterton District.
Akitio County5 November 18981 April 197677 yearsMerged into Dannevirke County.
Mauriceville County7 October 189912 May 196565 yearsMerged into Masterton County.
Castlepoint County20 October 19001 April 195857 yearsMerged into Masterton County.
Horowhenua County16 December 18841 November 1989104 yearsMerged into Horowhenua District and Kapiti Coast District.
Hutt County1 November 18761 November 1988112 yearsSplit between Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, and new Wainuiomata District.
Makara County23 November 190731 August 196254 yearsSplit between new Porirua City and Hutt County.
Masterton County20 October 19001 April 198988 yearsMerged with Masterton Borough to form Masterton District.
Wairarapa North County1 November 187620 October 190024 yearsSplit into various counties, final portion created Castlepoint County and then abolished.
Wairarapa South County1 November 18761 April 1989112 yearsMerged with Carterton Borough to form Carterton District.
Featherston County2 November 19011 November 198987 yearsMerged into South Wairarapa District.
Sounds County1 November 18764 August 196588 yearsMerged into Marlborough County.
Golden Bay County8 October 19561 November 198933 yearsMerged into Tasman District.
Waimea County1 November 187612 December 1988112 yearsMerged with Motueka Borough and Richmond Borough to form Tasman District.
Collingwood County1 November 18768 October 195679 yearsMerged with Takaka County and Takaka Town District to form Golden Bay County.
Takaka County1 April 19048 October 195652 yearsMerged with Collingwood County and Takaka Town District to form Golden Bay County.
Marlborough County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Nelson City and Marlborough District.
Awatere County1 April 19121 April 197664 yearsMerged into Marlborough County.
Kaikoura County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Kaikoura District and Hurunui District.
Grey County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Buller District and Grey District.
Buller County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Buller District.
Murchison County1 April 190931 March 196555 yearsMerged into Waimea County.
Inangahua County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Buller District.
Westland County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Westland District and Southland District.
Amuri County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Marlborough District, Kaikoura District, and Hurunui District.
Cheviot County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Hurunui District.
Hurunui County2 May 19771 November 198912 yearsMerged into Hurunui District and Waimakariri District.
Oxford County1 April 19121 November 198977 yearsMerged into Waimakariri District.
Ashley County1 November 18762 May 1977100 yearsMerged with Waipara County to form Hurunui County.
Waipara County2 May 197767 yearsMerged with Ashley County to form Hurunui County.
Kowai County1 April 19121 May 196856 yearsMerged into Ashley County.
Eyre County1 April 19121 April 198977 yearsMerged into Rangiora District.
Rangiora County1 April 191223 June 197866 yearsBecame Rangiora District.
Heathcote County1 April 19111 November 198978 yearsMerged into Christchurch City.
Waimairi County3 December 19091 April 198272 yearsBecame Waimairi District.
Halswell County1 April 19111 April 196857 yearsMerged into Paparua County.
Mount Herbert County2 October 19021 November 198987 yearsMerged into Banks Peninsula District.
Wairewa County24 December 19091 November 198979 yearsMerged into Banks Peninsula District.
Paparua County1 April 19111 November 198978 yearsMerged into Selwyn District and Christchurch City.
Akaroa County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Banks Peninsula District.
Malvern County1 April 19111 November 198978 yearsMerged into Selwyn District.
Ellesmere County1 April 19111 November 198978 yearsMerged into Selwyn District.
Springs County1 April 19112 April 196352 yearsMerged into Ellesmere County.
Selwyn County1 November 18761 April 196334 yearsMerged into Malvern County.
Tawera County24 December 19091 April 196757 yearsMerged into Malvern County.
Ashburton County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Ashburton District.
Strathallan County1 September 19741 November 198915 yearsMerged into Timaru District.
Mackenzie County4 October 18831 November 1989106 yearsMerged into Mackenzie District.
Geraldine County1 November 18761 September 197497 yearsMerged with Levels County to form Strathallan County.
Levels County31 August 18941 September 197480 yearsMerged with Geraldine County to form Strathallan County.
Waimate County1 November 1876c. April 1989112 yearsMerged with Waimate Borough to form Waimate District.
Waitaki County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Waitaki District.
Vincent County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Queenstown-Lakes District, Southland District, and Central Otago District.
Maniototo County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Central Otago District and Dunedin City.
Waihemo County26 June 18821 November 1989107 yearsMerged into Waitaki District and Dunedin City.
Waikouaiti County1 November 18768 October 1977100 yearsMerged with Taieri County to form Silverpeaks County.
Silverpeaks County8 October 19771 November 198912 yearsMerged into Dunedin City.
Taieri County1 November 18768 October 1977100 yearsMerged with Waikouaiti County to form Silverpeaks County.
Peninsula County1 November 18761 August 196891 yearsMerged into Dunedin City.
Tuapeka County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Central Otago District and Clutha District.
Clutha County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Clutha District and Southland District.
Bruce County1 November 1876c. October 1986109 yearsMerged with Milton Borough and Kaitangata Borough to form Bruce District.
Lake County1 November 1876c. October 1986109 yearsMerged with Queenstown Borough to form Queenstown-Lakes District
Fiord County1 November 18761 October 1981104 yearsMerged into Wallace County.
Southland County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Southland District, Queenstown-Lakes District, Clutha District, Gore District, Invercargill City, and Central Otago District.
Wallace County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Central Otago District and Southland District.
Stewart Island County1 November 18761 November 1989113 yearsMerged into Southland District.
Chatham Islands County8 November 19011 November 199593 yearsBecame Chatham Islands Territory.