Kaikōura District

District in Canterbury, New Zealand

Territorial authority district in Canterbury, New Zealand

Kaikōura District

Territorial authority district

Kaikōura district in the South Island

Coordinates: 42°24′09″S 173°40′59″E﻿ / ﻿42.4025°S 173.683°E﻿ / -42.4025; 173.683
Country| New Zealand
Region| Canterbury
Government

• Mayor| Craig Mackle
• Deputy Mayor| Julie Howden
• Territorial authority| Kaikōura District Council
Area

[1]

• Total

| 2,046.85 km2 (790.29 sq mi)
Population

(June 2024)[2]

• Total

| 4,380
• Density| 2.1/km2 (5.5/sq mi)
Website| www.kaikoura.govt.nz

The Kaikōura District (/kaɪˈkɔːrə/; Māori pronunciation: [kaiˈkoːuɾa]) is a territorial authority district in Canterbury Region on the South Island of New Zealand.[3] The district encompasses the eponymous town of Kaikōura, a number of small towns and settlements and the surrounding rural area in northern Canterbury. The district had an estimated population of 4,380 as of June 2024.[2]

## Geography

[edit]

The Kaikōura District extends from the Pacific Ocean to the highest points of the Kaikōura Ranges to the west, and along the coastline from Oaro in the south, to just beyond Kekerengu in the north.[3]

### Populated places

[edit]

Populated places within the district, aside from Kaikōura township, include:

* Main settlements:
* Kekerengu
* Clarence
* Rakautara
* Hapuku
* Ocean Ridge
* The Elms
* Peketa
* Goose Bay
* Oaro

* Minor localities:
* Ngaio Downs
* Parikawa
* Mangamaunu
* South Bay
* Mount Fyffe
* Swyncombe
* Mount Furneaux
* Lynton Downs

* Other communities:
* Waipapa Bay
* Okini Bay
* Half Moon Bay
* Puhi Puhi
* Inland Road

|
|

## Governance

[edit]

The Kaikōura District Council (Māori: Ko te kaunihera ā rohe o Kaikōura) administers the district. The council consists of a mayor and seven councillors. Elections for positions on the council are held every three years in conjunction with nationwide local elections.[4]

### History

[edit]

During the era of provincial government from 1853, the Kaikōura region was initially part of the Nelson Province, and was represented at the Nelson Provincial Council through the Amuri electorate. When the Marlborough Province split off from the Nelson Province, Kaikōura became part of that new province, with the Conway River as the new southern boundary. From 1860, the Kaikōura region was represented on the Marlborough Provincial Council first through the Flaxbourne and Clarence electorate, then the Clarence electorate, and finally the Awatere electorate.[5] Provincial government was abolished at the end of 1876, and counties were formed instead.[6]

From 1877, Kaikōura was governed by Kaikoura County.[5] The county's boundary was adjusted northwards in 1940 to take over most of the East Coast Riding of Awatere County. There were also desires for land from Cheviot County to transfer to Kaikoura County, but the petition lapsed. In 1952, there were moves for a borough to be formed for Kaikōura township, but the underlying concerns which led to this initiative were addressed in different ways and no borough was formed. A 1971 scheme to form a Hurunui County would have seen Kaikoura County lose the area south of the Hundalee Hills, but this did not proceed.[7]

The 1989 local government reforms disestablished all counties, and district and regional councils were formed instead. Kaikōura District was formed in the process, with the land south of the Hundalee Hills transferred to Hurunui District as per the 1971 proposal. At a regional level, Kaikōura belonged to the Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council. When the regional council was disestablished in 1992 after only three years, and its functions went to the unitary authorities of Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, and Marlborough District Council, Kaikōura transferred to the Canterbury Regional Council. In 1993, an elector-initiated appeal wanted the northern 59% of Kaikōura District to be transferred to Marlborough District, but this was rejected by the Local Government Commission. There was a further elector-initiated proposal for Kaikoura District to merge with Hurunui District, but the Local Government Commission rejected this in 2009.[7]

### Anniversary day observance

[edit]

In terms of its provincial anniversary holiday, Kaikōura observes the anniversary of Marlborough Province due to its historic association. This meant that the public holiday established through the Canterbury Earthquake Commemoration Day Act 2011 did not apply in Kaikōura District, as it only applied to the area where the Canterbury Anniversary Day is observed.[8]

## Demographics

[edit]

Kaikōura District covers 2,046.85 km2 (790.29 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 4,380 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 2.1 people per km2.

Historical populationYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2006| 3,621| —
2013| 3,552| −0.27%
2018| 3,912| +1.95%
2023| 4,215| +1.50%
Source: [9][10]
Population density in the 2023 census

Kaikōura District had a population of 4,215 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 303 people (7.7%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 663 people (18.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,100 males, 2,112 females and 6 people of other genders in 1,779 dwellings.[11] 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 50.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 645 people (15.3%) aged under 15 years, 531 (12.6%) aged 15 to 29, 1,911 (45.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,128 (26.8%) aged 65 or older.[10]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.0% European (Pākehā); 19.0% Māori; 1.0% Pasifika; 3.9% Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.4%, Māori language by 3.6%, Samoan by 0.1% and other languages by 6.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 32.2% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.5% Islam, 0.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.7%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 417 (11.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,992 (55.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,038 (29.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 213 people (6.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,605 (45.0%) people were employed full-time, 621 (17.4%) were part-time, and 42 (1.2%) were unemployed.[10]

## Economy

[edit]

In 2020, the GDP of the Kaikōura District was $232 million, with an annual growth for the region of 1.6%.[12] Tourism contributed $57 million to total GDP in Kaikoura District in 2020, and was the top overall category, as shown in this table comparing district and national share of GDP:[13]

Industry | Kaikoura District
GDP share (%) | National
GDP share (%)

|
|

Tourism | 24.8 | 5.1
Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 19.4 | 5.0
Construction | 10.9 | 6.5
Transport, postal and warehousing | 8.5 | 4.2
Accommodation and food services | 8.5 | 2.1

Employment in the district was 2,007 (filled jobs) in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 1.4%.[14] The top 5 industries (based on ANZSIC categories), by share of employment in the Kaikōura District in 2020, compared with the national share for that year were:[15]

Industry | Kaikoura District
Share of filled jobs (%) | National
Share of filled jobs (%)

|
|

Accommodation and food services | 17.8 | 6.7
Construction | 14.4 | 9.8
Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 14.4 | 5.4
Retail trade | 10.9 | 8.9
Transport, postal and warehousing | 8.1 | 4.2

## See also

[edit]

* List of historic places in Kaikōura District

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
2. ^ a b c "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
3. ^ a b "Territorial authority boundaries". Environment Canterbury. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
4. ^ "Mayor and Councillors". Kaikoura District Council. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
5. ^ a b Sherrard, J. M. (1966). Kaikoura: A History of the District. Kaikoura County Council.
6. ^ McLintock, Alexander Hare, ed. (1966). Nelson Province and Provincial District. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
7. ^ a b "Determination on proposal for the abolition of Kaikoura District and its inclusion in Hurunui District" (PDF). Local Government Commission. May 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
8. ^ "Kaikoura not taking day off". Marlborough Express. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
9. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kaikōura District (054). 2018 Census place summary: Kaikōura District
10. ^ a b c "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Kaikoura District (054). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
11. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
12. ^ "Kaikoura District Economic Profile – Economy at a glance". Infometrics. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
13. ^ "Kaikoura District Economic Profile – Tourism GDP". Infometrics. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
14. ^ "Kaikoura District Economic Profile – Employment at a glance". Infometrics. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
15. ^ "Structure of Kaikoura District's economy – Employment". Infometrics. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaikoura District.

* Kaikōura District Council

* v
* t
* e

Adjacent cities and districts

|  | Marlborough |

|
|

|  |
Marlborough |

Kaikoura

| Pacific Ocean
|  |
| Hurunui |

* v
* t
* e

Kaikōura District, New Zealand

Seat: Kaikōura

Populated places|

* Clarence
* Kaikōura
* Kekerengu
* Oaro

Geographic features|

| Landforms|

* Kaikōura Canyon
* Kaikōura Peninsula
* Haumuri Bluff
* Hundalee Hills
* Kaikōura Ranges
* Mount Fyffe
* Mount Manakau

|

Rivers|

* Conway River
* Hāpuku River
* Kowhai River
* Oaro River
* Waiau Toa / Clarence River

Facilities and attractions|

* Hikurangi Marine Reserve
* Kaikoura Airport
* Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary
* Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia Conservation Park
* Whale Trail

Government|

* District Council
* Mayor
* Regional Council

History|

* 1886 SS Taiaroa grounding
* 1978 Kaikoura lights
* 2016 Kaikōura earthquake

* v
* t
* e

Cities and districts of New Zealand

Cities|

| North Island|

* Auckland
* Hamilton
* Tauranga
* Napier
* Palmerston North
* Porirua
* Upper Hutt
* Lower Hutt
* Wellington

|

South Island|

* Nelson
* Christchurch
* Dunedin
* Invercargill

Districts|

| North Island|

* Far North
* Whangarei
* Kaipara
* Thames-Coromandel
* Hauraki
* Waikato
* Matamata-Piako
* Waipā
* South Waikato
* Ōtorohanga
* Rotorua Lakes
* Waitomo
* Taupō
* Western Bay of Plenty
* Whakatāne
* Kawerau
* Ōpōtiki
* Gisborne
* Wairoa
* Hastings
* Central Hawke's Bay
* New Plymouth
* Stratford
* South Taranaki
* Ruapehu
* Whanganui
* Rangitikei
* Manawatū
* Tararua
* Horowhenua
* Kāpiti Coast
* Masterton
* Carterton
* South Wairarapa

|

South Island|

* Tasman
* Marlborough
* Buller
* Grey
* Westland
* Kaikōura
* Hurunui
* Waimakariri
* Selwyn
* Ashburton
* Timaru
* Mackenzie
* Waimate
* Waitaki
* Queenstown-Lakes
* Central Otago
* Clutha
* Gore
* Southland

Other|

Chatham Islands
*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate
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*[t]: Discuss this template
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