| Mackenzie District | ||
|---|---|---|
| Urban Area | Population | 1,536 (2006 census) |
| Territorial Authority |
Name | Mackenzie District Council |
| Population | 3,804 (2006 census) | |
| Land area | 7,339.23 km² (2,833.69 sq mi) | |
| Extent | ||
| Regional Council |
Name | Canterbury |
Mackenzie District is a political district in New Zealand's South Island. It is part of the larger Canterbury Region.
Contents |
Also
See Mackenzie Basin, Mackenzie River, Tekapo River, Pukaki River, Grays River
A relatively weakly settled area, the District does have a wide number of farms. However, in recent times (late 2000s), numerous proposals for new farming operations have locals fearing that the agriculture will be transformed from often family-held farms to large agribusiness operations causing increased local ecologic damage and siphoning off capital overseas.[1]
The Mackenzie District has a dry temperate-continental climate with clear, crisp snowy winters and long, hot summers. Autumn is known for being a riot of colour, while spring brings wild flowers blooming throughout the region including lupins. The warm summer season is from November to February, where the mercury often rises past 30 degrees. In the cooler winter season, from June to September temperatures drop to below 0 degrees celsius overnight, while sunny winter days average around 8 degrees and regular snowfall.[2]
The MacKenzie Basin was named in the 1850s by and after James Mckenzie, a Scottish-origin shepherd and sheep thief, and the name transferred to the modern district.
The current district mayor is Claire Barlow, who was elected to replace the retiring John O'Neill in the 2010 local body elections. Ms Barlow is the first female mayor of the district.
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