Rodney County was one of the counties of New Zealand in the North Island, from 1876 until 1989. It came into existence in November 1876, when the provinces were abolished. In the 1989 local government reforms, it merged with Helensville Borough to create Rodney District. Geography In 1970 Rodney County covered an area of .
The southern boundary with Waitemata County was along the Makarau River, whilst the northern boundary with Otamatea County was along the Hakaru River. History In 1877 the Kaukapakapa Highway District was transferred from Rodney to Waitemata County. In 1883 the Wainui Road District was transferred to Waitemata County. The northern part of Rodney County (Mangawai and Whakapirau road districts) was transferred to the nascent Otamatea County in 1887.
Following the Counties Act 1949 Rodney County established two county towns: Wellsford in 1953 and Leigh in 1954.
In 1961 the Rodney County Council moved from their Alnwick Street address to a new building on Baxter Street, Warkworth.
In 1974, after absorbing the four rural ridings of Waitemata County the County would double the size and triple its population. Following this amalgamation it was decided to build a new council building in Orewa which opened on the 6th of October, 1977.
In the early 1980s the county experienced an economic and population boom. Kiwifruit prices had hit $8.02 per tray and the county was the fastest growing in population with a 17.9% increase, helped by a 22.5% increase in the Hibiscus Coast. The economy of Rodney during this period would be largely based on meat cattle and other forms of agriculture.
As part of the local government reforms the county was abolished and replaced by Rodney District. The borders would remain largely the same aside from the incorporation of Helensville Borough and Taupaki from the newly formed Waitakere City, and a slight change to the border at Mangawhai. Ridings Rodney County initially had 6 ridings: Kaukapakapa, Puhoi, Mahurangi, Tauhoa, Mangawai, and Albert. List of county chairmen The Rodney County Council was presided over by a chairman. The following is a complete list of officeholders:
Name Term of office 1 Nathaniel Wilson 1877–1878 2 Henry Palmer 1878–1881 (1) Nathaniel Wilson 1881–1885 3 Josiah Hill Hudson 1885–1887 4 Edward Browne 1885–1892 5 George Moor 1892 6 John Morison King 1892–1893 7 Thomas Adams Gubb 1893–1899 (1) Nathaniel Wilson 1899–1905 8 Lewis Philip Becroft 1905–1911 9 George Wyatt Thompson 1911–1917 10 John Alfred Shepherd 1917–1920 11 John Morison 1920–1923 12 Frederick Hodgson 1923–1926 13 William John Schollum 1926–1932 14 Walter Kenneth Becroft 1932–1938 15 William Robinson Grant 1938–1947 (13) William John Schollum 1947–1953 16 Thomas Oliver Llewellyn Jenkins 1953–1963 17 John James Granville 1963–1973 18 Gordon Mason 1973–1989
See also List of former territorial authorities in New Zealand § Counties
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