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New Zealand - Subdivisions and Dependencies

Current divisions
Traditional provinces (12)
- (North Island)
- (South Island)
  - Nelson Province
  - Westland (West Coast)
  - Marlborough
  - Canterbury (incl. Chatham Islands)
  - Otago (incl. Dunedin city)
  - Southland (incl. Stewart Island)
Off shore territories and dependencies (not included in any province)
Lesser near islands

See also:

Traditional provinces (12)

Originally, New Zealand was divided into three provinces, New Ulster, New Munster and New Leinster, which were under the control of the colonial government of New South Wales.
James Dignan, 12 September 1996

Traditional provinces were of short duration, originating with a decision by Royal Charter in 1840 to divide the country into three — New Ulster (North Island), New Munster (South Island) and New Leinster (Stewart Island) but these were never given political effect.

In 1846 another Royal Charter divided the country into two based on a line drawn across from the mouth of the Patea River (just south of the Taranaki border) with the north being New Ulster and the south New Munster. Although political powers were envisaged they never became fully implemented and were overtaken by the N.Z. Constitution Act of 1852.

This established a semi-federal system of government dividing the country into six provinces — Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago. They were responsible for local government but could be over ruled by the general assembly. In 1858 New Plymouth was renamed Taranaki while four more provinces were established — Hawke's Bay (1858),