Canterbury Region
Canterbury
Waitaha (Māori) | |
|---|---|
Canterbury Region in New Zealand | |
| Coordinates: 43°36′S 172°00′E / 43.6°S 172.0°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Island | South Island |
| Established | 1989 |
| Seat | Christchurch |
| Territorial authorities | |
| Government | |
| • Body | Canterbury Regional Council |
| • Chair | Deon Swiggs |
| • Deputy Chair | Iaean Cranwell |
| Area | |
| • Land | 44,503.60 km2 (17,182.94 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025) | |
• Region | 698,200 |
| • Density | 15.69/km2 (40.63/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Cantabrian |
| GDP | |
| • Total | NZ$44.032 billion (2021) (2nd) |
| • Per capita | NZ$67,400 (2021) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| ISO 3166 code | NZ-CAN |
| HDI (2023) | 0.941 very high · 3rd |
Canterbury (Māori: Waitaha) is a region of New Zealand, located in the central-eastern South Island. The region covers an area of 44,503.88 square kilometres (17,183.04 sq mi), making it the largest region in the country by area. It is home to a population of 698,200 (June 2025).
The region in its current form was established in 1989 during nationwide local government reforms. The Kaikōura District joined the region in 1992 following the abolition of the Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council.
Christchurch, the South Island's largest city and the country's second-largest urban area, is the seat of the region and home to 58 percent of the region's population. Other major towns and cities include Timaru, Ashburton, Rangiora and Rolleston.