| County | |
|---|---|
| Map of county boundaries on the date of their creation, 1 November 1876 | |
| Location | New Zealand |
| Created by | Counties Act 1876 |
| Created |
|
| Abolished |
|
| Government |
|
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 reform of local government in 1989. They existed alongside the country's boroughs, cities, towns, and other territorial local authorities during that period.
From 1853 until 1876, New Zealand had a semi-federal system of provinces. Each province had its own legislature and superintendent. [1] These provinces set up their own local boards and councils. [2] The provinces were abolished on 1 November 1876, following the passage of the Abolition of the Provinces Act 1876. [3]
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. [1] [3] 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. [3] Many ad hoc bodies were created to manage services such as education, health, water, and ports over the succeeding decades. [3]
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. [4]
The Local Government Act 1974 sought to rationalise local government, attempting to tackle the problem whilst dealing with staunchly independent local authorities. [3] The Act abolished the distinction between boroughs and counties, and allowed for the creation of regional units of government. [3] The Act also increased the powers of the Local Government Commission. [3]
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. [3] 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. [5]
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. [3]
Many small counties struggled to maintain roads to an acceptable standard; in 1922 a Main Highways Board (NHB) 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. [3]
The first elections for the county councils were to be held on 22 December 1876. [6]
| County | Established | Abolished | Existed for | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangonui County [b] | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Far North District. [8] |
| Hokianga County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Far North District. [8] |
| Bay of Islands County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Far North District. [8] |
| Whangarei County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Whangarei District. [8] |
| Hobson County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Kaipara District. [8] |
| Whangaroa County | 1 January 1887 [9] [10] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 102 years | Merged into Far North District. [8] |
| Otamatea County | 1 January 1887 [9] [10] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 102 years | Merged into Whangarei District and Kaipara District. [8] |
| Rodney County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Kaipara District and Rodney District. [8] |
| Waitemata County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 August 1974 [11] | 97 years | The territory of the county was divided between Waitemata City, Takapuna City, and Rodney County; the county itself was then abolished. [11] |
| Eden County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1956 [12] | 79 years | Merged into Auckland City. [12] |
| Waiheke County | 1 April 1970 [13] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 19 years | Merged into Auckland City. [8] |
| Great Barrier Island County | 7 November 1912 [14] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 76 years | Merged into Auckland City. [8] |
| Manukau County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 3 September 1965 [15] | 88 years | Merged with Manurewa Borough to form Manukau City. [15] |
| Franklin County | 1 April 1912 [16] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 77 years | Merged into Papakura District and Franklin District. [8] |
| Coromandel County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 October 1975 [17] | 98 years | Merged with Thames County and Thames Borough to form Thames-Coromandel District. [17] |
| Thames County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 October 1975 [17] | 98 years | Merged with Coromandel County and Thames Borough to form Thames-Coromandel District. [17] |
| Raglan County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Franklin District, Waipa District, and Waikato District. [8] |
| Waikato County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Hamilton City, Waipa District, Waikato District, and Matamata-Piako District. [8] |
| Hauraki Plains County | 1 April 1912 [18] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 77 years | Merged into Hauraki District. [8] |
| Ohinemuri County | 8 September 1885 [9] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 104 years | Merged into Hauraki District, Matamata-Piako District, and Western Bay of Plenty District. [8] |
| Piako County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Matamata-Piako District. [8] |
| Waipa County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Waikato District, Hamilton City, South Waikato District and Waipa District. [8] |
| Matamata County | 25 September 1908 [19] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 81 years | Merged into Matamata-Piako District, South Waikato District, Waipa District, Western Bay of Plenty District, Rotorua District, and Taupo District. [8] |
| Waitomo County | 1 April 1905 [20] | 1 April 1976 [21] | 71 years | Merged with Te Kuiti Borough to form Waitomo District. [21] |
| Awakino County | 1 April 1904 [22] | 1 April 1922 [23] | 18 years | Merged into Waitomo County. [23] |
| Taupo County | 1 April 1922 [23] | c. 1 December 1988 [24] | 66 years | Merged with Taupo Borough to form Taupo District. [24] |
| West Taupo County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1922 [23] | 45 years | Merged with East Taupo to form Taupo County, various sections ceded to other counties. [23] |
| East Taupo County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1922 [23] | 45 years | Merged with West Taupo to form Taupo County. [23] |
| Tauranga County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Hauraki District, Tauranga District and Western Bay of Plenty District. [8] |
| Matakaoa County | 1 April 1920 [25] | 1 April 1965 [26] | 45 years | Merged into Waiapu county. [26] |
| Opotiki County | 1 November 1899 [27] | 1 November 1986 [28] | 87 years | Became Opotiki District. [28] |
| Rotorua County | 1 January 1887 [9] [10] | 1 April 1979 [29] | 92 years | Merged with Rotorua City to form Rotorua District. [29] |
| Kawhia County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 31 March 1956 [30] | 79 years | Merged into Otorohanga County. [30] |
| Whakatane County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1976 [31] | 99 years | Merged with Whakatane Borough to form Whakatane District. [31] |
| Waiapu County | 1 October 1890 [32] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 99 years | Merged into Gisborne District. [8] |
| Waikohu County | 10 October 1908 [33] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 81 years | Merged into Gisborne District. [8] |
| Uawa County | 10 December 1918 [34] | 1 April 1964 [35] | 45 years | Merged into Cook County. [35] |
| Cook County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Gisborne District. [8] |
| Wairoa County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 October 1986 [36] | 109 years | Merged with Wairoa Borough to form Wairoa District. [36] |
| Hawke's Bay County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Hastings District and Napier City. [8] |
| Waipawa County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1978 [37] | 101 years | Merged with Waipawa Borough to form Waipawa District. [37] |
| Waipukurau County | 1 April 1908 [38] | 1 April 1977 [39] | 69 years | Merged with Waipukurau Borough to form Waipukurau District. [39] |
| Patangata County | 8 September 1885 [9] | 1 July 1974 [40] | 88 years | Merged into Waipukurau County. [40] |
| Clifton County | 6 January 1885 [9] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 104 years | Merged into Waitomo District and New Plymouth District. [8] |
| Egmont County | 1 April 1902 [41] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 87 years | Merged into South Taranaki District. [8] |
| Taranaki County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 October 1986 [42] | 109 years | Merged with Waitara Borough to form North Taranaki District. [42] |
| Whangamomona County | 9 November 1907 [43] | 2 November 1955 [44] | 47 years | Merged into Stratford County. [44] |
| Inglewood County | 1 April 1920 [45] | 11 October 1986 [46] | 66 years | Merged with Inglewood Borough to form Inglewood District. [46] |
| Kaitieke County | 3 December 1910 [47] | 8 August 1956 [48] | 45 years | Merged with Taumarunui County [48] |
| Stratford County | 10 September 1890 [49] | c. 1 April 1989 [50] | 98 years | Merged with Stratford Borough to form Stratford District. [50] |
| Waimate West County | 10 October 1908 [51] | 1 October 1987 [52] | 78 years | Merged with Manaia Town District to form Waimate Plains District. [52] |
| Eltham County | 29 October 1906 [53] | c. October 1986 [54] | 79 years | Merged with Eltham Borough to form Eltham District. [54] |
| Hawera County | 28 July 1881 [9] | 1 October 1978 [55] | 97 years | Merged with Hawera Borough to form Hawera District. [55] |
| Patea County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1987 [56] | 110 years | Merged with Patea Borough and Waverly Town District to form Patea District. [56] |
| Waitotara County | 26 February 1884 [9] | c. March / April 1987 [57] | 103 years | Merged into Wanganui County. [57] |
| Ohura County | 10 October 1908 [58] | 8 August 1956 [48] | 47 years | Merged with Taumarunui County [48] |
| Taumarunui County | 1 April 1922 [23] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 67 years | Merged into Stratford District, Waitomo District, Ruapehu District, and Taupo District. [8] |
| Otorohanga County | 1 April 1922 [23] | 1 April 1979 [59] | 57 years | Became Otorohanga District. [59] |
| Waimarino County | 2 October 1902 [60] | c. 1 April 1988 [61] | 85 years | Merged with Ohakune Borough and Raetihi Borough to form Waimarino District. [61] |
| Rangitikei County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Rangitikei District, Hastings District and Ruapehu District. [8] |
| Manawatu County | 1 November 1876 [7] | c. 1 April 1988 [62] | 111 years | Merged with Kairanga County to form Manawatu District. [62] |
| Kairanga County | 1 April 1902 [63] | c. 1 April 1988 [62] | 86 years | Merged with Manawatu County to form Manawatu District. [62] |
| Oroua County | 1 July 1883 [64] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 106 years | Merged into Manawatu District and Palmerston North City. [8] |
| Kiwitea County | 2 September 1893 [65] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 96 years | Merged into Rangitikei District and Manawatu District. [8] |
| Pohangina County | 1 October 1894 [66] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 95 years | Merged into Manawatu District. [8] |
| Wanganui County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into South Taranaki District and Wanganui District. [8] |
| Woodville County | 24 August 1901 [67] | c. May 1989 [68] | 87 years | Merged with Woodville Borough to form Woodville District. [68] |
| Dannevirke County | 1 April 1908 [69] | c. April / May 1987 [70] | 79 years | Merged with Dannevirke Borough to form Dannevirke District. [70] |
| Weber County | 2 October 1902 [71] | 1 April 1956 [72] | 53 years | Merged into Dannevirke County. [72] |
| Pahiatua County | 1 October 1888 [73] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 101 years | Merged into Tararua District. [8] |
| Eketahuna County | 5 November 1898 [74] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 90 years | Merged into Tararua District and Masterton District. [8] |
| Akitio County | 5 November 1898 [75] | 1 April 1976 [76] | 77 years | Merged into Dannevirke County. [76] |
| Mauriceville County | 7 October 1899 [77] | 12 May 1965 [78] | 65 years | Merged into Masterton County. [78] |
| Castlepoint County | 20 October 1900 [79] | 1 April 1958 [80] | 57 years | Merged into Masterton County. [80] |
| Horowhenua County | 16 December 1884 [9] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 104 years | Merged into Horowhenua District and Kapiti Coast District. [8] |
| Hutt County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1988 [81] | 112 years | Split between Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, and new Wainuiomata District. [81] |
| Makara County | 23 November 1907 [82] | 31 August 1962 [83] | 54 years | Split between new Porirua City and Hutt County. [83] |
| Masterton County | 20 October 1900 [84] | 1 April 1989 [85] | 88 years | Merged with Masterton Borough to form Masterton District. [85] |
| Wairarapa North County [c] | 1 November 1876 [7] | 20 October 1900 [84] [79] | 24 years | Split into various counties, final portion created Castlepoint County and then abolished. [84] [79] |
| Wairarapa South County [d] | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1989 [86] | 112 years | Merged with Carterton Borough to form Carterton District. [86] |
| Featherston County | 2 November 1901 [87] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 87 years | Merged into South Wairarapa District. [8] |
| Sounds County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 4 August 1965 [88] | 88 years | Merged into Marlborough County. [88] |
| Golden Bay County | 8 October 1956 [89] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 33 years | Merged into Tasman District. [8] |
| Waimea County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 12 December 1988 [90] | 112 years | Merged with Motueka Borough and Richmond Borough to form Tasman District. [90] |
| Collingwood County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 8 October 1956 [89] | 79 years | Merged with Takaka County and Takaka Town District to form Golden Bay County. [89] |
| Takaka County | 1 April 1904 [91] | 8 October 1956 [89] | 52 years | Merged with Collingwood County and Takaka Town District to form Golden Bay County. [89] |
| Marlborough County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Nelson City and Marlborough District. [8] |
| Awatere County | 1 April 1912 [92] | 1 April 1976 [93] | 64 years | Merged into Marlborough County. [93] |
| Kaikoura County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Kaikoura District and Hurunui District. [8] |
| Grey County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Buller District and Grey District. [8] |
| Buller County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Buller District. [8] |
| Murchison County | 1 April 1909 [94] | 31 March 1965 [95] | 55 years | Merged into Waimea County. [95] |
| Inangahua County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Buller District. [8] |
| Westland County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Westland District and Southland District. [8] |
| Amuri County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Marlborough District, Kaikoura District, and Hurunui District. [8] |
| Cheviot County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Hurunui District. [8] |
| Hurunui County | 2 May 1977 [96] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 12 years | Merged into Hurunui District and Waimakariri District. [8] |
| Oxford County | 1 April 1912 [97] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 77 years | Merged into Waimakariri District. [8] |
| Ashley County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 2 May 1977 [96] | 100 years | Merged with Waipara County to form Hurunui County. [96] |
| Waipara County | 24 December 1909 [98] | 2 May 1977 [96] | 67 years | Merged with Ashley County to form Hurunui County. [96] |
| Kowai County | 1 April 1912 [97] | 1 May 1968 [99] | 56 years | Merged into Ashley County. [99] |
| Eyre County | 1 April 1912 [97] | 1 April 1989 [100] | 77 years | Merged into Rangiora District. [100] |
| Rangiora County | 1 April 1912 [97] | 23 June 1978 [101] | 66 years | Became Rangiora District. [101] |
| Heathcote County | 1 April 1911 [102] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 78 years | Merged into Christchurch City. [8] |
| Waimairi County | 3 December 1909 [103] | 1 April 1982 [104] | 72 years | Became Waimairi District. [104] |
| Halswell County | 1 April 1911 [102] | 1 April 1968 [105] | 57 years | Merged into Paparua County. [105] |
| Mount Herbert County | 2 October 1902 [106] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 87 years | Merged into Banks Peninsula District. [8] |
| Wairewa County | 24 December 1909 [107] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 79 years | Merged into Banks Peninsula District. [8] |
| Paparua County | 1 April 1911 [102] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 78 years | Merged into Selwyn District and Christchurch City. [8] |
| Akaroa County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Banks Peninsula District. [8] |
| Malvern County | 1 April 1911 [102] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 78 years | Merged into Selwyn District. [8] |
| Ellesmere County | 1 April 1911 [102] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 78 years | Merged into Selwyn District. [8] |
| Springs County | 1 April 1911 [102] | 2 April 1963 [108] | 52 years | Merged into Ellesmere County. [108] |
| Selwyn County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 April 1963 [109] | 34 years | Merged into Malvern County. [109] |
| Tawera County | 24 December 1909 [110] | 1 April 1967 [111] | 57 years | Merged into Malvern County. [111] |
| Ashburton County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Ashburton District. [8] |
| Strathallan County | 1 September 1974 [112] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 15 years | Merged into Timaru District. [8] |
| Mackenzie County | 4 October 1883 [9] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 106 years | Merged into Mackenzie District. [8] |
| Geraldine County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 September 1974 [112] | 97 years | Merged with Levels County to form Strathallan County. [112] |
| Levels County | 31 August 1894 [113] | 1 September 1974 [112] | 80 years | Merged with Geraldine County to form Strathallan County. [112] |
| Waimate County | 1 November 1876 [7] | c. April 1989 [114] | 112 years | Merged with Waimate Borough to form Waimate District. [114] |
| Waitaki County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Waitaki District. [8] |
| Vincent County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Queenstown-Lakes District, Southland District, and Central Otago District. [8] |
| Maniototo County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Central Otago District and Dunedin City. [8] |
| Waihemo County | 26 June 1882 [9] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 107 years | Merged into Waitaki District and Dunedin City. [8] |
| Waikouaiti County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 8 October 1977 [115] | 100 years | Merged with Taieri County to form Silverpeaks County. [115] |
| Silverpeaks County | 8 October 1977 [115] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 12 years | Merged into Dunedin City. [8] |
| Taieri County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 8 October 1977 [115] | 100 years | Merged with Waikouaiti County to form Silverpeaks County. [115] |
| Peninsula County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 August 1968 [116] | 91 years | Merged into Dunedin City. [116] |
| Tuapeka County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Central Otago District and Clutha District. [8] |
| Clutha County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Clutha District and Southland District. [8] |
| Bruce County | 1 November 1876 [7] | c. October 1986 [117] | 109 years | Merged with Milton Borough and Kaitangata Borough to form Bruce District. [117] |
| Lake County | 1 November 1876 [7] | c. October 1986 [118] | 109 years | Merged with Queenstown Borough to form Queenstown-Lakes District [118] |
| Fiord County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 October 1981 [119] | 104 years | Merged into Wallace County. [119] |
| Southland County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Southland District, Queenstown-Lakes District, Clutha District, Gore District, Invercargill City, and Central Otago District. [8] |
| Wallace County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Central Otago District and Southland District. [8] |
| Stewart Island County | 1 November 1876 [7] | 1 November 1989 [8] | 113 years | Merged into Southland District. [8] |
| Chatham Islands County | 8 November 1901 [120] | 1 November 1995 [121] | 93 years | Became Chatham Islands Territory. [121] |
