Population

Population: (June 2009 estimate)559,200
The region is traditionally bounded in the north by the Conway River and to the west by the Southern Alps. The locals are varied in this region but most are from rural backgrounds. There are now many different nationalities in most areas of Canterbury. 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 three 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, in the minds of many people, Kaikoura remains part of Marlborough. The population of Canterbury region is 559,200 (June 2009 estimate), making it the largest region in the South Island and the second largest region in New Zealand by population

Land area: 45,346 km2 (17,508.2 sq mi)

Main Centres: Christchurch, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Arthurs Pass, Darfield, Springfield, Methven, Akaroa, Lake Tekapo, Timaru.

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