title: Westland District Council
text: # Westland District Council
  
  Westland District Council is the territorial authority for the Westland District of New Zealand.
  
  The council is led by the mayor of Westland, who is currently Helen Lash. There are also eight ward councillors.
  
  ## Composition
  
  ### Councillors
  
  * Mayor Helen Lash
  * Northern Ward: Anna Hart, Jenny Keogan, Jane Neale
  * Hokitika Ward: David Carruthers, Paul Davidson, Latham Martin
  * Southern Ward: Ian Hartsthorne, Ryan Kennedy
  
  ## History
  
  The council was formed in 1989. Its predecessors include Hokitika County Council (1868-1989), Ross County Council (1878-1972), and Westland County Council (1876-1989).
  
  In 2020, the council had 205 staff, including 22 earning more than $100,000. According to the right-wing Taxpayers' Union think tank, residential rates averaged $2,601.
  
  