Week 6 - People

1. People

PeopleThere are 4.8 million people living in New Zealand.  The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent (69% identify as "New Zealand European"), with the indigenous Māori being the largest minority (14.6%), followed by Asians (9.2%) and non-Māori Pacific Islanders (6.9%).  Over three-quarters of New Zealand's population live in the North Island (76%) with one-third of the total population living in the Auckland region. This region is also the fastest growing, accounting for 46% of New Zealand's total population growth.  Most Māori live in the North Island (87%), although less than 25% live in Auckland.


New Zealand is a predominantly urban country, with 86% of the population living in an urban area.  About 72% of the population live in the 16 main urban areas (population of 30,000 or more) and 53% live in the four largest cities of Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Hamilton. a quarter (24%) live in Auckland. 

housing density