The region of New Zealand , Canterbury (Maori: Waitaha) is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the mountains that surround them. Its main city, Christchurch is hosting the Canterbury Regional Council of the University of Canterbury. Canterbury is the longest in New Zealand, with approximately 42.2200 km2. The region is bordered to the north by the Conway River and to the west by the Southern Alps. The southern boundary is known as the Waitaki River.

The Canterbury region of New Zealand is commonly divided into North Canterbury (north of Rio Rakai), Canterbury Center (from the Rangitata River to River Rakai), South Canterbury (south of the Rangitata River) and Christchurch (Christchurch City). Sometimes, for various reasons, South Canterbury is considered a separate region centered in the city of Timaru. When the current local government structure was introduced in 1989, the Kaikoura District was part of the Nelson-Marlborough Region.