Southland District is a territorial authority district in New Zealand that covers the south of the South Island as well as Stewart Island/Rakiura. History Southland District was formed through the 1989 local government reforms. Four local authorities were amalgamated at that time: Wallace County, Winton Borough, Stewart Island County and most of Southland County. John Casey, who was first elected onto Southland County Council in 1977, oversaw the amalgamation and was elected Southland District's first mayor in 1989. Winton Wallacetown Ward was renamed Oreti Ward with effect from the Council election on 12 October 2019. The Oreti River flows through this ward. Geography Southland District covers the majority of the land area of Southland Region, although the region also covers Gore District, Invercargill City and adjacent territorial waters. It has a land area of 29,574.53 km2, excluding inland waters such as Lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri, and Lake Hauroko. Southland District contains the islands south of Foveaux Strait: Solander Islands Stewart Island/Rakiura Ruapuke Island The seat of the District Council is Invercargill, which, however, is not part of Southland District, but a territorial authority in its own right. Two of New Zealand's largest national parks are within the boundaries of Southland District: Fiordland National Park, and Rakiura National Park (which covers most of Stewart Island/Rakiura). Urban areas and settlements The Southland District has three towns with a population over 1,000. Together they are home to % of the district's population. Other settlements and localities in the district include: Mararoa Waimea Ward Five Rivers Area: Athol Castlerock Eyre Creek Fairlight Five Rivers Garston Josephville Lowther Lumsden Mossburn Nokomai Parawa Saint Patricks Te Anau Area: Cascade Creek Knobs Flat Manapouri Milford Sound Te Anau The Key Waikaia Area: Ardlussa Balfour Kauhoe Riversdale Waikaia Wendon Wendonside Waiau Aparima Ward Riverton Area: Colac Bay Gummies Bush Orepuki Pahia Riverton/Aparima Thornbury Waipango Tuatapere Area: Blackmount Clifden Merrivale Monowai Papatotara Piko Piko Pukemaori Te Tua Te Waewae Tuatapere Wallace Area: Drummond Fairfax Isla Bank Nightcaps Ohai Otahuti Otautau Wairio Wreys Bush Waihopai Toetoe Ward Toetoes Area: Curio Bay Fortification Fortrose Glenham Haldane Mokoreta Niagara Otara Pine Bush Pukewao Quarry Hills Redan Slope Point Titiroa Te Peka Tokanui Waipapa Point Waikawa Waimahaka Wyndham Waihopai Area: Ashers Dacre Gorge Road Grove Bush Kapuka Kapuka South Longbush Mabel Bush Mokotua Oteramika Rakahouka Rimu Roslyn Bush Timpanys Woodlands Te Tipua Area: Brydone Edendale Glencoe Menzies Ferry Morton Mains Ota Creek