Waitaki District Council () is the territorial authority for the Waitaki District of New Zealand.
The council is led by the mayor of Waitaki, who is currently . There are also 10 ward councillors.
Composition
Councillors
Mayor Ahuriri Ward: Brent Cowles Corriedale Ward: John McCone, Sven Thelning Oamaru Ward: Rebecca Ryan (Deputy mayor), Mata'aga Hana Melania Fanene-Taiti, Dan Lewis, Jeremy Holding, Courtney Linwood, vacant Waihemo Ward: Frans SchlackMayor and councillors, Waitaki District Council. Accessed 27 July 2026.
History
The council was formed in 1989. Its predecessors were Oamaru Borough Council (1866–1989), Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966:Oamaru Palmerston County Council (1872–1966),North Otago Museum Waitaki County Council (1876–1989),McKenzie, Dorothy and Budd, Arthur. Waitaki County Council 1877 – 1977. Thos. Bracken & Co. Ltd., Oamaru, 1976 and Hampden Borough Council (1879–1989).McDonald, K.C. White Stone Country. North Otago Centennial Committee, Oamaru, 1962
In 2020, the council had 295 staff, including 40 earning more than $100,000. Waitaki District Council responded to this claim: “As stated to the Taxpayers’ Union many times previously, the numbers we report are for the whole group. This included Waitaki District Health Services, which runs Oamaru Hospital, and the Observatory Retirement Village. The staffing number and salary referred to covers doctors and other specialist medical staff who care for our community but are not council employees”.
According to the Taxpayers' Union lobby group, residential rates averaged $2,343.
Notes
References
External links Official website