This page discusses the region of New Zealand. For the City in the United Kingdom see Canterbury

Canterbury Waitaha
—  Region of New Zealand  —
Environment Canterbury
Canterbury Region within New Zealand
Country	New Zealand
Island	South Island
Established	1989
Seat	Christchurch
Territorial authorities	List Kaikoura District Hurunui District Selwyn District Waimakariri District Christchurch City Ashburton District Mackenzie District Timaru District Waimate District Waitaki District (59.61%)
Government
- Chairperson	Alec Neill
Area
- Region	45,346 km2 (17,508.2 sq mi)
Population (June 2009 estimate)[1]
- Region	559,200
- Density	12.3/km2 (31.9/sq mi)
Time zone	NZST (UTC+12)
- Summer (DST)	NZDT (UTC+13)

A map showing population density in the Canterbury Region at the 2006 census.

The New Zealand region of Canterbury (Māori: Waitaha) is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council and the University of Canterbury.

[edit] Geography

Canterbury is New Zealand's largest region by area, with an area of 45,346km². The region is traditionally bounded in the north by the Conway River and to the west by the Southern Alps. The southern boundary is the Waitaki River.

The area is commonly divided into North Canterbury (north of the Rakaia River), Mid Canterbury (from the Rakaia River to the Rangitata River), South Canterbury (south of the Rangitata River) and Christchurch (Christchurch City). For many purposes South Canterbury is considered a separate region, centred on the city of Timaru.

When the current local government structure was introduced in 1989, Kaikoura District was part of the Nelson-Marlborough Region. That region was later abolished and replaced with 3 unitary authorities. Kaikoura was too small to function as an independent unitary authority and was moved under the jurisdiction of the Canterbury Regional Council. However Kaikoura remains part of Marlborough in the minds of many people.

The population of Canterbury region is 559,200 (June 2009 estimate),^[1] making it the largest region in the South Island and the second largest region in New Zealand by population.

[edit] History

This section requires expansion.

[edit] Colonisation

In 1848 Edward Gibbon Wakefield and John Robert Godley established the Canterbury Association to plan a Church of England colony in New Zealand's South Island. The colony was to be based upon theories developed by Wakefield while in prison for eloping with a woman not-of-age.

Following 1850 the province developed, during this era the architect Benjamin Mountfort, as the first Provincial architect, designed many civic and ecclesiastical buildings in the Gothic Revival style.

[edit] Canterbury Province

The Canterbury Province was formed in 1853 following the passage of the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 from the part of New Munster and covered both the east and west coasts of the South Island of New Zealand. The Province was abolished, along with other provinces of New Zealand, in 1876.

[edit] Sport

The most popular sports are rugby union and cricket.^{[citation needed]} Canterbury is home to one of the most successful teams in Super 14 Rugby Competition; the Crusaders. The Crusaders also represent other provinces in the upper South Island, but are based in Christchurch. They were formerly known as the Canterbury Crusaders. In provincial rugby Canterbury is represented by three unions; Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury. For Historical reasons players from Kaikoura District still play for the Marlborough Rugby Union which is part of the Tasman Provincial team (Nelson/Marlborough Unions combined). The Canterbury Wizards are Canterbury's cricket team in New Zealand's State Championship. Other sporting teams include the Canterbury Tactix (Netball) and Canterbury United (Football).

[edit] Wine regions of Canterbury

Canterbury has two major areas of viticulture. These are Waipara and the area around Christchurch, typically labelled merely Canterbury. Recently there have been vintages from plantings from Kurow further to the south.

White wine has typically predominated in Canterbury from Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and to a lesser extent Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Pinot Noir has had some success in the province particularly in Waipara.

Very recently wine has been produced in Kurow.

[edit] Environment

Since human settlement the Canterbury Plains have been highly modified and now supports a large agricultural industry. Very little of the original forest cover remains. However, the amount of forest on Banks Peninsula is now increasing from a minimum of about one percent of its original forest cover.

The amount of dairy farming is increasing with a corresponding increase in demand for water. Water use is now becoming a contentious issue in Canterbury. Lowland rivers and streams are generally polluted and some of the aquifers are being overdrawn. The Central Plains Water scheme is a proposal for water storage that has attracted much controversy. The Canterbury Water Management Strategy is one of the many means being used to address the water issue.

The Canterbury mudfish (kowaro) is an endangered species that is monitored by the Department of Conservation.

[edit] Terminology

People in New Zealand commonly refer to people from the Canterbury region as Cantabrians, a term also used for people from Cantabria (Spain), although in most contexts this is unlikely to produce confusion. People from the city of Canterbury in England refer to themselves as Cantuarians.

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

• rulers.org
• An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966
• Christchurch City Council

[edit] External links

• Canterbury Regional Council

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Coordinates: 43°36′S 172°00′E / 43.6°S 172.0°E / -43.6; 172.0