List of former local authorities in New Zealand


The history of local government in New Zealand can be broadly grouped into three periods, these being the provincial era, the boroughs and counties era, and the districts and regions era.

Provincial era (until 1876)

The original three provinces were established in 1841 by Royal Charter. The New Zealand Constitution Act 1846 reduced the number of provinces to two. The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 re-divided New Zealand into six provinces, and four additional provinces emerged during the remainder of the Provincial Era. This era came to end with the Abolition of Provinces Act 1876.
ProvinceEstablishedDisestablishedNotes
Auckland18531876
Canterbury18531876
Bay Province|Hawke's Bay]18581876Formerly part of Wellington Province
Marlborough18591876Formerly part of Nelson Province
Nelson18531876
New Leinster18411846New Zealand Constitution Act 1846
New Munster18411853New Zealand Constitution Act 1852
New Plymouth18531876Renamed "Taranaki" in 1859
New Ulster18411853New Zealand Constitution Act 1852
Otago18531876
Southland18611870Originally part of, and later reunited with, Otago Province
Wellington18531876
Westland18731876Independent from 1868, and before that part of Canterbury Province

Post-provincial era (1876–1989)

After New Zealand abolished its provinces in 1876, a system of counties similar to other countries' systems was instituted, lasting with little change until 1989 when they were reorganised into district councils within a system of larger regions.
The Local [Government Act 1974 (New Zealand)|Local Government Act 1974] began the process of bringing urban, mixed, and rural councils into the same legislative framework. Substantial reorganisations under that Act resulted in a shake-up in 1989, which abolished all the counties except for the Chatham Islands County, which survived under that name for a further 6 years but then became a "Territory" under the "Chatham Islands Council".

Borough councils

New Zealand formerly used the term borough to designate self-governing towns of more than 1,000 people, although 19th century census records show many boroughs with populations as low as 200. Note: most of the links go to the area, rather than information about the body referenced.
CouncilEstablishedDisestablishedAreaNotes
Akaroa
Alexandra18671989 Merged into Central Otago District
Arrowtown10 May 18771989
Merged into Queenstown-Lakes District
Ashburton9 September 18781989 Merged into Ashburton District
Auckland18511871Declared a city.
Avenal18761909Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough
Avondale19221927Amalgamated with Auckland City
Balclutha18701989
Merged into Clutha District
Birkenhead18881978Proclaimed a city on 15 March 1978
Blenheim18691989 Merged into Marlborough District
Bluff191719898.67 km2Merged into Invercargill city. See Campbelltown below.
Brunner18871971 Amalgamated with Grey County
Cambridge188619899.65 km2Merged into Waipa District
Caversham187719044.34 km2Amalgamated with Dunedin city
Campbelltown187819178.67 km2Formally renamed Bluff
Carterton1887198939.81 km2Grew into Carterton District
Cromwell1866198933.3 km2Merged into Central Otago District
Dannevirke189219875.62 km2In 1987 merged with Dannevirke County to form Dannevirke District, which merged into Tararua District in 1989
Dargaville1908198911.33 km2Merged into Kaipara District
Devonport188619895.79 km2Merged into North Shore City
Dunedin South1908Amalgamated with Dunedin city
Eastbourne1905198912.95 km2Merged into Lower Hutt City
East Coast Bays19541975Proclaimed a city on 1 April 1975
East Invercargill18761909Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough
Eketahuna1907fl. 1972Merged into Eketahuna County
Ellerslie193819893.01 km2Merged into Auckland City
Eltham190119896.47 km2Merged into South Taranaki District
Featherston191719893.07 km2Merged into South Wairarapa District
Feilding188119898.52 km2Merged into Manawatū District
Foxton188319893.07 km2Merged into Horowhenua District
Geraldine190419893.22 km2Merged into Timaru District
Gladstone18761909Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough
Glen Edenfl. 197219894.95 km2Merged into Waitakere City
Gore188519899.43 km2Merged into Gore District
Green Island187519897.28 km2Merged into Dunedin City
Grey Lynn18991914Amalgamated with Auckland City
Greymouth1868198910.48 km2Merged into Grey District
Greytown187819894.45 km2Merged into South Wairarapa District
Hampden18791967Amalgamated with Waitaki County
Hastings18861956Elevated to City
Havelock North195219895.63 km2Merged into Hastings District
Hawerafl. 1972
Helensville194719895.32 km2Merged into Rodney District
Henderson1946198966.7 km2Merged into Waitakere City
Hokitika1868198935.7 km2Merged into Westland District
Howick195219896.21 km2Merged into Manukau City
Huntly193119899.3 km2Merged into Waikato District
Inglewood190219862.83 km2Merged into Inglewood District 1986 Merged into New Plymouth District 1989
Invercargill18711930Elevated to City
Kaiapoi186819894.66 km2Merged into Waimakariri District
Kaikohe194719895.44 km2Merged into Far North District
Kaitaia192219896.95 km2Merged into Far North District
Kaitangata188219893.64 km2Merged into Clutha District
Kapiti19741989160.64 km2Merged into Kāpiti Coast District
Karori18911920Amalgamated with Wellington City
Kawerau1954198921.74 km2Changed to Kawerau District
Kumara18771969 Merged into Hokitika Borough
Lawrence186619892.95 km2Merged into Clutha District
Levin1906198912.95 km2Merged into Horowhenua District
Linwood22 February 18931 April 1903Amalgamated with Christchurch city
Lower Hutt18911941Elevated to City
Lyttelton28 May 1868198910.36 km2Merged into Banks Peninsula District
Maori Hill1876191514.97 km2Amalgamated with Dunedin City
Manurewa19371965Merged into Manukau City
Martinborough192819894.33 km2Merged into South Wairarapa District
Marton187919895.72 km2Merged into Rangitikei District
Masterton1877198917.96 km2Merged into Masterton District
Matamata193519895.33 km2Merged into Matamata-Piako District
Mataura189519895.15 km2Merged into Gore District
Melrose18881903Amalgamated with Wellington City
Milton186619893.88 km2Merged into Clutha District
Miramar8 November 1904April 1921Amalgamated with Wellington City
Mornington187719152.65 km2Amalgamated with Dunedin City
Morrinsville192119894.76 km2Merged into Matamata-Piako District
Mosgiel188419897.87 km2Merged into Dunedin City
Motueka1900198947.9 km2Merged into Tasman District
Mount Albert19111978Became Mount Albert City
Mount Eden190619895.98 km2Merged into Auckland City
Mount Maunganui1945198919.11 km2Merged into Tauranga City
Mount Roskill1947198918.62 km2Merged into Auckland City
Mount Wellington1952198616.72 km2Merged with Otahuhu borough to become Tamaki City
Murupara1962198930.0 km2Merged into Whakatane District
Napier18741950Elevated to City
Naseby187219890.73 km2Merged into Central Otago District
New Brighton18971941Amalgamated with Christchurch city
New Lynn191019895.63 km2Merged into Waitakere City
Newmarket188519890.79 km2Amalgamated with Auckland City
Newton18851899Renamed Grey Lynn Borough.
Ngaruawahia192019895.18 km2Merged into Waikato District
Northcote190819895.40 km2Merged into North Shore City
North East Valley1877191016.11 km2Amalgamated with Dunedin City
North Invercargill18761909Amalgamated with Invercargill Borough
Oamaru186619897.43 km2Merged into Waitaki District
Ohakune191119898.41 km2Merged into Ruapehu District
Onehunga187719897.60 km2Merged into Auckland City
One Tree Hill193019899.83 km2Merged into Auckland City
Onslow13 March 18901 April 1919Amalgamated with Wellington City
Opotiki19111973Amalgamated with Opotiki County
Otahuhu191219865.74 km2Merged with Mount Wellington borough to become Tamaki City
Otaki1921198943.20 km2Merged into Kāpiti Coast District
Paeroa191519895.75 km2Merged into Hauraki District
Pahiatua189219892.91 km2Merged into Tararua District
Palmerston18721966
Papakura1 April 19381975Constituted a city on 1 January 1975
Papatoetoe19465 October 1965Elevated to city
Parnell18771913Amalgamated with Auckland City
Patea188119895.75 km2Merged into South Taranaki District
Petone1888198910.28 km2Merged into Hutt City">Hutt County">Hutt City
Picton187619894.24 km2Merged into Marlborough District
Porirua31 August 19622 October 1965Elevated to City
Port Chalmers186619894.01 km2Merged into Dunedin City
Pukekohe1905198914.05 km2Merged into Franklin District
Putaruru192619893.94 km2Merged into South Waikato District
Queenstown186619864.21 km2Merged with Lake County to form Queenstown-Lakes District
Raetihi192119893.88 km2Merged into Ruapehu District
Rangiora187119863.56 km2Amalgamated with Rangiora County to form Rangiora District.
Riccarton191319892.83 km2Merged into Christchurch City
Richmond1891198910.52 km2Merged into Tasman District
Riverton18711983
Roslyn187719128.09 km2Amalgamated with Dunedin City
Ross18781972Amalgamated with Westland County
Roxburgh187419892.08 km2Merged into Central Otago District
Runanga191219894.80 km2Merged into Grey District
St Albans24 November 18811 April 1903Amalgamated with Christchurch city
Saint Kilda187519892.47 km2Merged into Dunedin City
South Dunedin187519051.67 km2Amalgamated with Dunedin City
South Invercargill18771956Amalgamated with Invercargill City
Spreydon1 April 19111921Amalgamated with Christchurch City.
Stratford189819898.16 km2Merged into Stratford District
Sumner18911 April 1945Amalgamated with Christchurch city
Sydenham20 September 18771 April 1903Amalgamated with Christchurch city
Taihape190619897.78 km2Merged into Rangitikei District
Takapuna19131961Elevated to city
Tapanui187619891.21 km2Merged into Clutha District
Taradale19531968Amalgamated with Napier City
Taumarunui1910198915.7 km2Merged into Ruapehu District
Taupofl. 1972198933.85 km2Merged into Taupō District
Tauranga18821963 km2Elevated to city
Tawafl. 197219896.94 km2Merged into Wellington City
Te Aroha1898198931.8 km2Merged into Matamata-Piako District
Te Awamutu191519897.13 km2Merged into Waipa District
Te Kuitifl. 1972
Temuka189919894.05 km2Merged into Timaru District
Te Puke193519895.34 km2Merged into Western Bay of Plenty District
Thamesfl. 1972
Timaru13 July 18681948Elevated to city
Tokoroa1975198913.25 km2Merged into South Waikato District
Tuakaufl. 197219894.42 km2Merged into Franklin District
Upper Hutt1 February 19282 May 1966City of Upper Hutt proclaimed
Waihi190219895.4 km2Merged into Hauraki District
Waikouaiti18661966Known as West Hawksbury until 1909
Waimate187919893.12 km2Merged into Waimate District
Waipawafl. 1972Merged into Hawke's Bay District">Hawke's Bay Province">Hawke's Bay District
Waipukuraufl. 1972Merged into Central Hawke's Bay District
Wairoa190919896.59 km2Merged into Wairoa District
Waitara190419896.32 km2Merged into New Plymouth District
Waiuku19895.93 km2Merged into Franklin District
Wanganui18721924Elevated to city
West Harbour18771963Western part amalgamated with Dunedin City, eastern part amalgamated with Waikouaiti County
Westport187319893.44 km2Merged into Buller District
Whakatane19171976 km2Amalgamated with Whakatane County to form Whakatane District
Winton187719892.36 km2Amalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District.
Woodville188719894.25 km2Merged into Tararua District
Woolston27 July 18931921Amalgamated with Christchurch City.

Cities

Prior to 1989, any borough with a population exceeding 20,000 could proclaim itself a city. As part of the restructuring, many provincial cities were combined with surrounding rural counties to form districts. For example, Hastings became a district, although its population is greater than nearby city Napier, which did not acquire any rural areas. The term city is still used informally for all large towns. Rotorua was a city from 1962 until 1979, when it amalgamated with Rotorua County to become Rotorua District. New Zealand's first city was Christchurch, proclaimed by royal charter in 1856. Cities continued to exist in the Auckland Region until 2010, when Auckland City, North Shore City, Waitakere City, Manukau City were merged with the surrounding districts into a single unitary authority.
CouncilEstablishedDisestablishedAreaNotes
Auckland City18712010Merged into Auckland Council
Birkenhead19781989Merged into North Shore City
East Coast Bays19751989Merged into North Shore City
Gisborne19561989Merged into Gisborne District
Hastings19561989Merged into Hastings District
Manukau City19652010Merged into Auckland Council
Mount Albert City19781989Merged into Auckland City
New Plymouth19491989Merged into New Plymouth District
North Shore City19892010Merged into Auckland Council
Papakura19751989Merged into Papakura District
Papatoetoe19651989Merged into Manukau City
Rotorua19621979Merged into Rotorua District
Takapuna19611989Merged into North Shore City
Tamaki19861989Merged into Auckland City
Timaru19481989Merged into Timaru District
Waitakere City19892010Merged into Auckland Council
Waitemata City19741989Merged into Waitakere City
Wanganui19241989Merged into Wanganui District
Whangarei19641989Merged into Whangarei District

Counties

When the provinces were abolished in 1876, 63 counties were established to govern rural areas. There were subdivisions and amalgamations over the next 113 years, with as many as 129 counties existing at once. Note that the designation of an area as a county often predated the formation of a county council. In the interim there was often a roads board as the only form of local administration. Fiord and Sounds counties never formed county councils, due to insufficient population to govern.
CountyEstablishedDisestablishedAreaHeadquartersNotes
Akaroa18761989440.48 km2DuvauchelleMerged into Banks Peninsula District
Akitio18991976PongaroaMerged into Dannevirke County
Amuri1876198911,000 km2CulverdenMerged into Hurunui District
Ashburton187619896174 km2Ashburton
Ashley18761977Rangiora until 1968 then BalcairnAmalgamated with Waipara County to form Hurunui County.
Awakino19131922Amalgamated with Waitomo to form Otorohanga County
Awaterefl. 19521976Merged into Marlborough County
Bay of Islands187619892132.5 km2Kawakawa
Bruce187619891347.4 km2MiltonMerged into Clutha District
Buller1876198915,000 km2Westport
Castlepoint19001958Tīnui
Chatham Islands19011989963 km2Waitangi
Cheviot18761989847.28 km2CheviotMerged into Hurunui District
Clifton188519891175.9 km2WaitaraMerged into New Plymouth District.
Clutha187619892683.2 km2BalcluthaMerged into Clutha District
Collingwood18761956Amalgamated with Takaka County to form Golden Bay County.
Cook187619892729.4 km2GisborneMerged into Gisborne District
Coromandel18761975Amalgamated with Thames to form Thames-Coromandel District
Dannevirke190719892217.8 km2DannevirkeMerged into Tararua District
East [Taupo County|East Taupo]1876
Eden18761940Amalgamated with Auckland City
Egmont19021989621.86 km2ŌpunakeMerged into South Taranaki District
Eketahuna189919898.29 km2EketahunaMerged into Tararua District
Ellesmere191019891200.4 km2LeestonMerged into Selwyn District
Eltham190619891388.8 km2ElthamMerged into South Taranaki District
Eyre19121989457.8 km2Kaiapoi in 1952, later EyretonMerged into Waimakariri District
Featherston190219892471.9 km2Martinborough
Fiord18761981 km2Amalgamated with Wallace County in 1981, at which time it was "the only one of 105 counties where the Counties Act is not wholly in force"
Franklin191219891471.7 km2PukekoheMerged into Franklin District
Geraldine1876 km2Amalgamated with Levels County to form Strathallan County
Golden Bay195619892661 km2Takaka
Great Barrier Island191319892.85 km2
Grey187619894091 km2Greymouth
Halswell19101968HalswellAmalgamated with Paparua County
Hauraki Plains19201989601.1 km2Ngatea
Hawera km2
Hawke's Bay187619894828 km2Napier
Heathcote1910198931.09 km2Merged into Christchurch City
Hobson187619891929.5 km2Aratapu until 1909, then DargavilleMerged into Kaipara District
Hokianga187619891588 km2Rawene
Horowhenua188419891422 km2LevinAmalgamated with other entities to form Horowhenua District
Hurunui197719893640 km2AmberleyMerged into Hurunui District
Hutt187619896690 km2Initially Wellington, later WainuiomataBetween 1908 and 1962 the Makara riding was a separate county. On 1 April 1973, parts were transferred to Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington cities. In 1988, the Horokiri riding was amalgamated with Porirua City, Wainuiomata riding with Lower Hutt City and Heretaunga-Pinehaven Community with Upper Hutt City, while the balance went to form part of the Kāpiti Coast District.
Inangahua187619892440.8 km2Reefton
Inglewood19201986535.22 km2InglewoodMerged into Inglewood District 1986 Merged into New Plymouth District 1989
Kaikoura187619892347.5 km2Kaikoura
Kairanga19011988466.2 km2Palmerston NorthAmalgamated with Manawatu County to form Manawatū District
Kaitieke19101956RaurimuAmalgamated with Taumarunui County
Kawhia19051956KawhiaMerged with Otorohanga District Council
Kiwitea18931989930.2 km2KimboltonMerged into Manawatū District
Kowai19121968BalcairnAmalgamated with Ashley County
Lake1876198610000 km2QueenstownMerged with Queenstown Borough to form Queenstown-Lakes District
Levels18941974 km2Amalgamated with Geraldine County to form Strathallan County
MacKenzie188319897386.6 km2Fairlie
Makara19081961Formed from the Makara Riding of Hutt County. Remnant amalgamated with Hutt County when Porirua Borough established.
Malvern191219894973 km2DarfieldMerged into Selwyn District
Manawatu18761988686.6 km2SansonAmalgamated with Kairanga County to form Manawatū District
Mangonui187619892487 km2Kaitaia
Maniototo187619893471 km2RanfurlyBecame part of Central Otago District
Manukau1876 km2
Marlborough1876198910478 km2BlenheimMerged with Blenheim Borough and Picton Borough Marlborough District
Masterton190019892410 km2MastertonMerged with Masterton Borough to form Masterton District
Matakaoafl. 1952Te Araroa
Matamatafl. 19521989TirauThe northern portion became part of Piako District
Mauriceville1899 km2
Mount Herbert19021989171.01 km2LytteltonMerged into Banks Peninsula District
Murchison1 April 19091989MurchisonMerged into Tasman District
Ohinemuri18851989624.45 km2Paeroa
Ohura19081956OhuraAmalgamated with Taumarunui County
Opotiki189919893474.65 km2Opotiki
Oroua19031989492.3 km2FeildingMerged into Manawatū District
Otamatea188719891090.85 km2PaparoaMerged into Kaipara District
Otorohanga192219891976 km2ŌtorohangaFormed from parts of Waitomo County and West Taupo County in 1922. Assimilated part of Kawhia County 1956
Oxford19121989823.96 km2Oxford
Pahiatua18881989736.3 km2Pahiatua
Paparua19121989448.18 km2Divided between Christchurch City and Selwyn District
Patangata18851974 km2Merged into Waipukurau County
Patea187619891531 km2PateaMerged into South Taranaki District
Peninsula18771968 km2More or less inactive until reconstituted in 1926. Amalgamated with Dunedin City in 1967.
Piako187619891171 km2Te ArohaMerged into Matamata-Piako District
Pohangina18941989671 km2AshhurstMerged into Manawatū District and Palmerston North City
Raglan187619892412.3 km2NgāruawāhiaMerged into Waikato District
Rangiora19121986RangioraAmalgamated with Rangiora borough to form Rangiora District.
Rangitikei187619894490 km2Marton
Rodney1876198923.34 km2OrewaPart merged into Kaipara District
Rotorua19792615 km2RotoruaBecame Rotorua District
Selwyn18761910Subdivided into ten smaller counties.
Silverpeaks197719893289 km2DunedinFormed in 1977 by the merger of Taieri County and Waikouaiti County.
Sounds18761965Merged into Marlborough District 1989. A Sounds County Council was never established
Southland187619899590 km2InvercargillAmalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District.
Springs19101989LincolnMerged into Selwyn District
Stewart Island187619891750 km2Halfmoon BayAmalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District.
Stratford189019892163.56 km2Stratford
Strathallan197419892571.8 km2Timaru
Taieri18771977OutramAmalgamated with Waikouaiti County to form Silverpeaks County.
Takaka1956TakakaAmalgamated with Collingwood County to form Golden Bay County.
Taranaki18761989588.17 km2New Plymouth
Taumarunui192119894895 km2TaumarunuiTook in Kaitieke County and Ohura County in 1952
Taupo195419897282 km2Taupō
Tauranga187619891829.3 km2Tauranga
Tawera
Thames18761975ThamesAmalgamated with Coromandel County to form Thames/Coromandel District
Tuapeka187619893586 km2Lawrence
Uawa19181964Tolaga BaySeparated from Cook County 10 December 1918. Amalgamated with Cook County 1 April 1964.
Vincent187619897553 km2ClydeBecame part of Central Otago District
Waiapu189019892817.9 km2Te Puia Springs
Waiheke19701989155.32 km2Ostend
Waihemo18821989872.83 km2PalmerstonMerged into Waitaki District
Waikato187619891651 km2HamiltonMerged into Waikato District
Waikohu190819892646.96 km2Te Karaka
Waikouaiti18771977 km2Amalgamated with Taieri County to form Silverpeaks County.
Waimairi County19091982PapanuiRedesignated Waimairi District
Waimarino190219882249 km2RaetihiAmalgamated with Raetihi Borough and Ohakune Borough to form Waimarino District
Waimate187619893585 km2Waimate
Waimate West19081989215.05 km2Manaia
Waimea187619897547 km2Richmond
Waipa187619891101 km2Te Awamutu
Waipara19091977WaikariAmalgamated with Ashley County to form Hurunui County.
Waipawa18761977WaipawaAmalgamated with Waipawa Borough to form Waipawa District
Waipukurau1977WaipukurauAmalgamated with Waipukurau Borough to form Waipukurau District
Wairarapa East1876
Wairarapa South187719891140 km2CartertonMerged with Carterton Borough to form Carterton District
Wairarapa West1876
Wairewa19101989440.5 km2Little River
Wairoa187619894096.5 km2Wairoa
Waitaki187619896192.7 km2OamaruCreated in 1876 but first Council did not meet until 1877
Waitemata1876
Waitomo
Waitotara188419891205.5 km2Wanganui
Wallace1876198917520 km2Riverton to 1898, thereafter OtautauAmalgamated with three other local authorities in 1989 to form Southland District.
Wanganui187619891191 km2Wanganui
Weber19021956 km2DannevirkeMerged into Dannevirke County
Wellington?? km2?See Hutt County or Makara County for counties near Wellington.
West Taupo1876 1,610 km2West Taupo County Council was never set up. The area remained under road and town boards and government departments, until split between Taumarunui County Council, Kaitieke County Council and Taumarunui Town Board by the Waikato and King-country Counties Act 1921-1922. In 1921 the West Taupo area had 1,438 people living in.
Westland1876198911000 km2Hokitika
Whakatane1876 km2Whakatane
Whangamomona km2
Whangarei187619892681.8 km2KamoPart merged into Kaipara District
Whangaroa18761989621.6 km2KaeoMerged into Far North District
Woodville19011987404.2 km2WoodvilleAmalgamated with Woodville Borough to form Woodville District

Districts

From the 1970s onwards some local authorities created by a voluntary amalgamation of two or more component local authorities were termed Districts. These Districts were of a mixed rural/urban character but are not to be confused with the Districts created by the local government reorganisation of 1989.
CouncilEstablishedDisestablishedAreaNotes
Hawera1978fl. 1986
Otorohanga19791989Previously called Otorohanga County
Queenstown-Lakesfl. 1986
Rangiora1978fl. 1986
Rotorua1979fl. 1986
Thames-Coromandel1975fl. 1986
Waimairi1982fl. 1986
Waimarino19881989Amalgamation of Raetihi Borough, Ohakune Borough and Waimarino County
Waipawa19781989Amalgamated with Waipukurau District to form Central Hawke's Bay District
Waipukurau19771989Amalgamated with Waipawa District to form Central Hawke's Bay District
Waitomo1976fl. 1986
Whakatane1976fl. 1986

Town districts

A town district, as created under the Town Boards Act of 1882 was a municipality intermediate in nature between a county town and a borough. In 1952, a dependent town district could be established on the petition of two thirds of the resident householders of any settlement of at least fifty households in an area of not more than two square miles. To become an independent town district, a town district must have had a population of greater than 500.
CouncilEstablishedDisestablishedAreaNotes
Bay19051916Amalgamated with Dunedin City
Bullsfl. 19522.74 km2
Cambridge18821886Elevated to borough
Carterton18751887Elevated to borough.
Dannevirke18851892Elevated to borough.
Edendalefl. 1952fl. 19722.82 km2Dependent Town District within Southland County
Eltham18841901Elevated to borough
Glen Eden1921fl. 19525.12 km2
Gordon1890Amalgamated with Gore borough
Grey18861907Amalgamated with Taieri County
Havelockfl. 19520.85 km2
Henderson19221946Elevated to borough
Helensville18831947Elevated to borough
Hikurangi1908fl. 19863.88 km2Independent Town District within Whangarei County
Howick19221952Elevated to borough
Huntervillefl. 1952fl. 19723.20 km2Independent Town District within Rangitikei County
Huntly19081931Elevated to borough
Johnsonville187419533.41 km2Amalgamated with Wellington City
Kaikohe19271947Elevated to borough
Kamofl. 19523.44 km2
Kapongafl. 1952fl. 19722.26 km2Dependent Town District within Eltham County
Kawakawafl. 1952fl. 19721.13 km2Independent Town District within Bay of Islands County
Kawhiafl. 19521.90 km2
Kihikihifl. 1952fl. 19722.59 km2Dependent Town District within Waipa County
Kohukohufl. 19524.13 km2
Leamington190519565.38 km2Merged with Cambridge borough.
Leestonfl. 19521.58 km2
Linwood28 October 18821893Elevated to borough
Lumsdenfl. 19525.12 km2
Manaia1882fl. 19862.06 km2Independent Town District within Waimate West County
Mangawekafl. 19523.86 km2
Manunuifl. 1952
Martinborough19061928Elevated to borough
Marton18691879Elevated to borough
Matamata19171935Elevated to borough
Mercerfl. 19524.05 km2
Moa18851902Elevated to borough and renamed Inglewood
Morrinsville19081921Elevated to borough
Mosgiel18821884Elevated to Borough
Mount Maunganui19271945Dependent on Tauranga County until 1937. Elevated to Borough 1945.
Nightcaps191819671.15 km2
Normanbyfl. 19521.05 km2
Ohaupofl. 1952fl. 19725.19 km2Dependent Town District within Waipa County
Ohurafl. 1952fl. 19723.30 km2Independent Town District within Taumarunui County
Onerahifl. 1952
Opotiki18821911Elevated to borough
Ormondville18851944Merged into Dannevirke County
Otautaufl. 188919783.86 km2Independent Town District within Wallace County
Otorohangafl. 19522.27 km2
Outram188219613.59 km2Amalgamated with Taieri County
Papatoetoe28 March 19191946Elevated to borough
Patutahifl. 1952fl. 1972Dependent Town District within Cook County
Pleasant Pointfl. 19522.95 km2
Raglan19061938Raglan Town Board started in 1878 and merged with local highways boards into Raglan County Council in 1889. It was re-inaugurated as Raglan Town Board in 1906 and continued until 1938, when the Board again merged into the County Council.
Rawenefl. 19521.84 km2
Russellfl. 1952fl. 19724.31 km2Dependent Town District within Bay of Islands County
Southbridgefl. 19522.15 km2
Sumner18831891Elevated to borough
Tahunanui1920
Takakafl. 19522.37 km2
Taradale188619535.94 km2Elevated to borough
Taupo1946fl. 19529.27 km2
Tawa Flat1951fl. 19522.91 km2
Te Karakafl. 19523.16 km2
Te Kauwhatafl. 19525.22 km2
Te Puke191319355.34 km2Elevated to borough
Tinwaldfl. 19526.17 km2
Tuakau1914fl. 19527.77 km2
Waiuku1914fl. 19525.18 km2
Warkworthfl. 1952fl. 1972Independent Town District within Rodney County
Waverley1877fl. 19861.96 km2Independent Town District within Patea County
Woolston13 September 18821893Elevated to borough
Wyndham188219772.75 km2Independent Town District within Southland County

1989 reform of local government

By 1986, the number of territorial authorities and single-purpose authorities had grown to more than 850. In 1989 there was a major reform of local government in New Zealand. The numerous borough and county councils were amalgamated into larger districts, while the number of cities was reduced.
The lists above should include all local authorities that existed prior to 1989.

Post-1989 local government reform

Regions

13 regional councils were established through the passing of the Local Government Act 1987. Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council was disestablished in 1992, when its functions went to the unitary authorities Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough.
Auckland Regional Council was subsumed into the Auckland Council on 1 November 2010.

District councils

Most of the districts resulting from the 1989 reforms continue in operation. Banks Peninsula District is an exception; it was merged into Christchurch City Council in 2006.