Waimakariri District is located in northern Canterbury in the South Island. It covers approximately 2,217 square kilometres and has a population of about 70,000.

The district council is based in Rangiora, its largest town and commercial centre. Other principal towns include Kaiapoi, Oxford, Woodend and Pegasus.

The economy is based on agriculture, dairy farming and light industry. The district has attractive scenery, including the Ashley Rakahuri Estuary wetlands and beaches at Kairaki, Pines Beach and Woodend.

The district established a sister-city relationship with Enshi, Hubei Province, in May 2016.

The current mayor is Dan Gordon.