The Chatham Islands |
 History: This building on top of Tikitiki Hill, on the outskirts of Waitangi, the islands’ main town, was known locally as the White House – which was appropriate, and not only because it was painted white. Central government services in the Chatham Islands used to be overseen by a Resident Magistrate and, later, by a Resident Commissioner, responsible to the Department of Island Territories, and they lived in the hill-top house. A Chatham Islands County Council was established in 1925, which has been known as the Chatham Islands Council since 1989. Unsurprisingly, it’s the smallest local authority in New Zealand. |