Buller County, New Zealand facts for kids

Buller County was a special local government area, like a district, located on the South Island of New Zealand. It was one of many counties of New Zealand that helped manage local affairs for people living there.

How Buller County Began

Before Buller County was created, the land it covered was part of a bigger region called Nelson Province. This was from 1853 to 1876. Provinces were like large states or regions that managed things in New Zealand back then.

In 1876, a new law called the Abolition of Provinces Act was passed. This law ended the old province system. Because of this change, Buller County was officially formed in January 1877. It took over the job of looking after its local area.

The main office for Buller County was in a town called Westport Borough. This is where the county council, which was like the local government team, made decisions and managed the area.

When Did Buller County End?

Buller County existed for many years, helping to run local services. However, in 1989, there were big changes to how local governments worked in New Zealand.

During these changes, Buller County joined together with two other areas. These were Inangahua County and Westport Borough. When they all combined, they formed a new, larger area called the Buller District. This new district continues to manage local services today.

Where Did the Name "Buller" Come From?

The name "Buller County" came from the Buller River. This important river flows through the area.

The river itself was named after a person called Charles Buller. He was a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (UK). He was also a director of the New Zealand Company. This company was based in the UK in the early 1800s. It had a special permission, called a royal charter, to help with efforts to settle and develop New Zealand.