Seaward Downs Te Tipua Waitane Oreti Ward Wallacetown Area: Branxholme Lochiel Makarewa Ryal Bush Spar Bush Tussock Creek Waianiwa Wallacetown Waimatuku Winton Area: Benmore Browns Caroline Centre Bush Dipton Dipton West Hedgehope Kauana Lady Barkly Limehills Oreti Plains Otapiri South Hillend Springhills Winton Stewart Island-Rakiura Ward Oban Port Pegasus (uninhabited) Port William (uninhabited) Demographics Southland District covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Southland District had a population of 30,864 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,251 people (4.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,427 people (8.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 11,982 households. There were 16,029 males and 14,835 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 39.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 6,534 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 5,262 (17.0%) aged 15 to 29, 14,436 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 4,635 (15.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 88.1% European/Pākehā, 11.1% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 6.2% Asian, and 2.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.6, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 51.7% had no religion, 38.4% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 3,363 (13.8%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 5,739 (23.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 3,732 people (15.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 13,956 (57.4%) people were employed full-time, 4,053 (16.7%) were part-time, and 519 (2.1%) were unemployed. Government Mayor The current district mayor is Rob Scott. He has held this position since 2022. Council The district council is made up of twelve elected members, from various ward areas, and like any other local authority is elected every three years. Sister cities Current sister city Cinque Terre, La Spezia, Liguria Former sister city Wyong Shire, New South Wales Southland District was a sister city to Wyong Shire in New South Wales, Australia until 2010. See also List of historic places in Southland District References External links Southland District Council official website