Westland District is a territorial authority on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, and one of the most sparsely populated parts of the country. Westland covers the long thin strip of land west of the Southern Alps and south of Grey District. At the 2004 Census, the district was home to 8,280 people (2001 Census: 7,773). It has an area of 11,400 square kilometres. Despite Westland's isolation it has a distinguished past. Between 1873 and 1876 Westland had its own provincial government — Westland Province with roughly the same boundaries that the district has now. Although lead by an able Mayor, the current Council is not as visionary as it's predecessors.