14-543: Timaru District is a local government district on New Zealand's South Island , administered by the Timaru District Council. It is part of the larger Canterbury Region . Timaru district was formed in 1989 from the amalgamation of Timaru City, Geraldine borough, Temuka borough and Strathallan County. The Timaru District is located on the east coast of the South Island and stretches inland as far as
28-960: A population density of 18.3 people per km. Timaru District had a population of 47,547 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 1,251 people (2.7%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 3,615 people (8.2%) since the 2013 census . There were 23,478 males, 23,913 females and 159 people of other genders in 19,758 dwellings. 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 44.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 8,349 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 7,449 (15.7%) aged 15 to 29, 20,850 (43.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 10,902 (22.9%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.3% European ( Pākehā ); 10.4% Māori ; 3.5% Pasifika ; 5.8% Asian ; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
42-727: Is a territorial authority area governed by a district council as a second-tier of local government in New Zealand , below regional councils . They were formed as a result of the local government reforms in 1989 . There are 53 districts in New Zealand , and they do not include the 12 city councils , the Auckland Council , and the Chatham Islands Council . District councils serve a combination of rural and urban communities, while city councils administer
56-583: The Main Divide . The district has a population of 50,100 (June 2024). Timaru is the main city. The next biggest towns in order are Temuka , Geraldine and Pleasant Point . Smaller settlements include Arundel , Cave , Orari and Winchester . The Timaru District Library has branches situated in Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine. Timaru District covers 2,732.41 km (1,054.99 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 50,100 as of June 2024, with
70-544: The 1989 reform. The Labour Party had the reform of local government as one of its policies for the 1984 election but without much detail; the proposals were developed during the first term of the Fourth Labour Government following the party's win in 1984. Michael Bassett was Minister of Local Government and he appointed a Local Government Commission , which was chaired by Brian Elwood from 1 April 1985 to 1 November 1992. The government had given
84-593: The administration of many environmental and public transport matters, while the district councils administer local roads and reserves, sewerage, building consents, the land use and subdivision aspects of resource management, and other local matters. Some activities are delegated to council-controlled organisations . There are currently 53 districts in New Zealand . The North Island comprises 34 districts. The South Island and Stewart Island comprise 19 districts. Notes: 1989 New Zealand local government reforms The 1989 New Zealand local government reform
98-422: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 4,476 (11.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 22,488 (57.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 10,887 (27.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 38,600, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 3,267 people (8.3%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
112-426: The commission a guarantee that their findings would be regarded as binding. The resulting local government reform was undertaken along the lines of neo-liberal economic theory, and was done in conjunction with the economic reform that have become known as Rogernomics . Some 850 entities were amalgamated into 86 local authorities, made up of regional and territorial levels. Of the 850 entities, 249 were municipalities;
126-533: The larger urban areas . Three districts ( Gisborne , Tasman , and Marlborough ) are unitary authorities also performing the functions of a regional council. Districts are not subdivisions of regions, and some of them fall within more than one region. Taupō District has the distinction of straddling the boundaries of four different regions. Regional council areas are based on water catchment areas, whereas district council areas are based on community of interest and road access. Regional councils are responsible for
140-421: The remainder were harbour boards, catchment boards, and drainage boards. Brian Rudman , a journalist and editorial writer for The New Zealand Herald , called the reforms "revolutionary". New Zealand was divided into 14 regions, of which 13 were regional authorities, and the remaining one, Gisborne, was a unitary authority . Unitary authorities in New Zealand are district (or city) authorities that also fulfil
154-456: The rural parts of the former provinces. Over the years, many new bodies were set up. Some of these bodies were multi-purpose, whilst others (for example harbour boards) were single-purpose. The Local Government Act 1974 consolidated the previous law relating to local government that applied to territorial local authorities, regional and district council bodies. It enabled the establishment of regional councils, but these were not established until
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#1732783343571168-541: Was spoken by 97.4%, Māori language by 1.9%, Samoan by 0.9% and other languages by 7.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.0, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 36.7% Christian , 0.9% Hindu , 0.4% Islam , 0.3% Māori religious beliefs , 0.4% Buddhist , 0.4% New Age , and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 51.8%, and 8.1% of people did not answer
182-542: Was that 19,185 (48.9%) people were employed full-time, 5,619 (14.3%) were part-time, and 714 (1.8%) were unemployed. Timaru has its origins in a sheep station, The Levels , run by George Rhodes . In 1868, residents petitioned for the town to be established as a borough, and the Timaru Borough Council was proclaimed in 1868. Venture Timaru is the regional development and tourism organisation. Districts of New Zealand A district in New Zealand
196-462: Was the most significant reform of local government in New Zealand in over a century. Some 850 local bodies were amalgamated into 86 local authorities, made up of regional and territorial levels. The last major local government reform was carried out through the abolition of provincial government . With effect of 1 January 1877, local government was vested in elected borough and county councils. The Counties Bill of 1876 created 63 counties out of
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