New Zealand Population

New Zealand is a prosperous nation of islands in the Pacific. The population consists mainly of two ethnic groups: the indigenous people Maoris, and descendants of Europeans.

Key figures and facts

• Capital: Wellington
• Ethnic groups: Europeans 71.2%, Maori 14.1%, Asians 11.3%, Pacific people 7.6%, others 2.7%, unknown 5.4% (2013)
• Language: English 89.8%, Maori 3.5%, Samoan 2%, Hindi 1.6%, French 1.2%, North Chinese 1.2%, Yue 1%, Other/Unknown 20.5% (2013)
• Religion: Christians 44.3%, Hindus 2.1%, Buddhists 1.4%, Maori Christians 1.3%, Muslims 1.1%, others 1.4%, none 38.5%, unknown 12.3% (2013)
• Population: 4,749,598 (2018)
• Control Form: Parliamentary unitary state and part of the Commonwealth
• Area: 267 710 km2
• Currency: New Zealand dollar
• GNP per capita: 38 565 PPP $
• National Day: February 6th

New Zealand’s Population

New Zealand has a population estimated at 4,471,000 (World Bank 2013). Annual population growth is estimated at 0.8%. Life expectancy at birth is 83.0 years for women and 79.4 years for men. The population can be divided into four main groups after identification with the ethnic group. 79% identify themselves as European and have a predominantly British background (often called pakeha), 15% identify as Indigenous Maori, and 7% as Asian and Pacific Islanders (Pacific Peoples) (2001).

The Maoris immigrated from Polynesia in several waves between the 9th century and the 14th century. Their birth rates are significantly higher than in the rest of the population, and their share of the population is therefore increasing. A total of 635 100 (2005) identify themselves as Maoris, which is the world’s highest proportion of indigenous people in relation to the population. The Maori population is particularly concentrated in the Auckland area. They participate in all fields of New Zealand’s social life, but strongly mark their ethnic uniqueness. Since the 1970s, the authorities have pursued a policy that actively seeks to provide better living opportunities for the Moorish language and cultural life (see also Māori).

New Zealand has in recent years opened up immigration from Asia. Many of the new arrivals are highly educated. The proportion of Asians in the population is expected to double by 2021. New Zealand has also in recent times had great immigration from Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Fiji, Tonga and Niue. First and foremost, young people are looking for work in the Auckland region. North Island has ³/₄ of the country’s population. Half of the South Island population lives in the Canterbury region.

New Zealand is a distinct urban community with 86.2% living in cities and urban settlements (World Bank 2013). More than half of the population (56%, 2005) live in the five urban regions of Auckland, Hamilton, Napier-Hastings, Wellington and Christchurch. Auckland alone has ¹/₃ of the country’s population, and towards 2026 it is expected that ²/₃ of the population growth will take place in Auckland region.

Population of New Zealand by Year (Historical)

Year	Population	Annual Growth Rate	Population Density	Global Rank
2020	4,822,122	0.820%	18.3139	126
2019	4,782,952	0.840%	18.1651	125
2018	4,743,020	0.870%	18.0135	125
2017	4,701,923	0.920%	17.8574	124
2016	4,659,154	0.970%	17.6950	122
2015	4,614,421	1.090%	17.5251	122
2010	4,369,951	1.110%	16.5966	122
2005	4,135,244	1.390%	15.7053	124
2000	3,858,888	0.980%	14.6557	121
1995	3,674,825	1.580%	13.9567	120
1990	3,398,061	0.780%	12.9056	124
1985	3,268,125	0.760%	12.4121	120
1980	3,146,508	0.410%	11.9502	119
1975	3,082,522	1.810%	11.7072	114
1970	2,818,276	1.420%	10.7037	111
1965	2,626,534	2.050%	9.9755	110
1960	2,372,483	2.120%	9.0107	110
1955	2,136,280	2.290%	8.1136	112
1950	1,907,889	0.000%	7.2462	114

Major Cities in New Zealand by Population

Rank	City	Population
1	Auckland	417,799
2	Wellington	381,789
3	Christchurch	363,815
4	Manukau City	361,889
5	Waitakere	207,989
6	North Shore	207,754
7	Hamilton	152,530
8	Dunedin	114,236
9	Tauranga	110,227
10	Lower Hutt	101,083
11	Palmerston North	75,885
12	Rotorua	65,790
13	Hastings	61,585
14	Nelson	59,089
15	Napier	56,676
16	Mangere	55,155
17	Porirua	50,803
18	Whangarei	50,789
19	New Plymouth	49,057
20	Invercargill	47,176
21	Wanganui	40,157
22	Upper Hutt	38,289
23	Gisborne	34,163
24	Ashburton	29,989
25	Papakura	27,899
26	Timaru	27,896
27	Blenheim	26,439
28	Paraparaumu	25,152
29	Taupo	22,358
30	Pukekohe East	21,327
31	Masterton	20,587
32	Levin	19,678
33	Whakatane	18,491
34	Taradale	16,488
35	Cambridge	15,081
36	Tokoroa	14,166
37	Richmond	13,889
38	Oamaru	12,889
39	Gore	11,997
40	Hawera	10,957
41	Takanini	10,759
42	Queenstown	10,331
43	Kaiapoi	10,089
44	Greymouth	9,308
45	Pakuranga	8,796
46	Khandallah	8,389
47	Waiuku	7,444
48	Motueka	7,374
49	Thames	7,025
50	Kawerau	6,591
51	Petone	6,498
52	Papatowai	6,482
53	Waitara	6,207
54	Matamata	6,195
55	Otaki	5,975
56	Kerikeri	5,543
57	Ngaruawahia	4,995

Religion

New Zealand has no state church. Over 70% of the population are Protestants. The largest religious communities are the Anglican Church, Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists and Jews.

Language

Official languages ​​are English and Maori. English written language is practically identical to British-English, while the spoken language exhibits certain features consistent with Northern English or Scottish pronunciation, and also has features common to Australian-English (see English).

Maori is the language of the indigenous people. It belongs to the Polynesian languages ​​of the Austronesian language family. The majority of Maori speakers are bilingual with English as a second language. Maori is written in Latin letters. There is official language next to English since 1987.