New Zealand Population

Europeans were first counted by census in New Zealand in 1851. The first Maori census did not take place until six years later and took a full year to complete. It showed a Maori population of 56,049, virtually the same as the European population in that year; this was the only time in history the two races were equal in number.

The New Zealand first millionof population was recorded in 1908, the second in 1952, the third in 1973 and the fourth in 2003. The New Zealand population is currently a little over 4,155,000.

More than three quarters of the population of New Zealand live in the North Island of New Zealand. In 2005 the population figure for the North Island was around 3,116,100, while the population for the South Island was 981,400.

The principal agglomeration is Auckland area (includes Auckland, Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere cities) with a population of 1,241,600 in 2005, Wellington with 370,000 was next, Hamilton was fourth with 185,000, Napier was fifth with 119,600 and Tauranga was seventh with 109,100. These are all in the North Island of New Zealand.

Christchurch the major South Island city had a population of 367,700 in 2005, making it the third largest agglomeration. The next largest South Island city is Dunedin with a population of 114,700 in 2005, placing it as the sixth largest population agglomeration...