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Story: Hawke’s Bay region

Local government boundary changes

  • Before 1989

  • After 1989

Local government boundaries changed a lot in Hawke’s Bay during the late 19th and 20th centuries. In 1989 local government throughout New Zealand was reformed. Subsequently Hawke’s Bay, which had comprised six counties as well as boroughs and cities, was governed by three district councils, one city council and an overarching regional council. Southern Hawke’s Bay became part of the Tararua district and was under a different regional council.

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Hawke’s Bay region – Government, education and health, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/23915/local-government-boundary-changes (accessed 13 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 22 January 2010, updated 1 July 2015.