Waimakariri District

Waimakariri District
Council offices in Rangiora
Waimakariri district in the South Island
Coordinates: 43°18′S 172°18′E / 43.3°S 172.3°E / -43.3; 172.3
CountryNew Zealand
IslandSouth Island (Te Waipounamu)
RegionCanterbury
Communities
  • Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi
  • Woodend-Sefton
  • Oxford-Ohoka
  • Rangiora-Ashley
Wards
  • Kaiapoi-Woodend
  • Oxford-Ohoka
  • Rangiora-Ashley
Named afterWaimakariri River
SeatRangiora
Towns
Government
  MayorDan Gordon
  Deputy MayorNeville Atkinson
  Territorial authorityWaimakariri District Council
Area
  Total
2,217.13 km2 (856.04 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)
  Total
69,000
  Density31/km2 (81/sq mi)
DemonymWaimakaririan
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
Area Code03
Websitewww.waimakariri.govt.nz

Waimakariri District is a local government district, located in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand's South Island. It is named after the Waimakariri River, which forms the district's southern boundary, separating it from Christchurch City and the Selwyn District. It is bounded in the north by the Hurunui District and in the east by the Pacific Ocean.

The district was established on 1 April 1989 following the merger of Rangiora District and Eyre County. The district covers 2,217.12 square kilometres (856.03 sq mi), and is home to 69,000 people. Rangiora is the district seat and largest town, with other major towns including Kaiapoi, Oxford, Pegasus and Woodend.

The current district mayor is Dan Gordon, who was elected in the 2019 local body elections.