Final counts (Census 96) (1996 Census of Population and Dwellings) - Hot Off The Press
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Final Population Counts from 1996 Census

On census night 5 March 1996 there were 3,681,546 people in New Zealand: 3,618,302 people said they usually lived in this country, 62,250 were overseas visitors and 994 people were overseas residents working in New Zealand according to the first final results released today by Statistics New Zealand from the thirtieth New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings.

"The resident population of 3,618,302 shows an increase of 244,375 or 7.2 per cent since the 1991 Census which is over twice that experienced between 1986 and 1991 (3.4 per cent). The average annual growth rate over the intercensal period 1991 - 1996 was 1.4 per cent compared with 0.7 per cent over the previous 1986-1991 period," said Government Statistician Len Cook.

Between 1991 and 1996 the population usually resident in the North Island increased by 197,827 or 7.8 per cent to 2,718,170. The South Island population increased by 46,539 or 5.5 per cent to 899,384. The North Island now has 75.1 per cent of the New Zealand resident population and the South Island 24.9 per cent. The comparable 1991 figures were 74.7 per cent for the North Island and 25.3 per cent for the South Island. (Usual residence is the address of the dwelling where a person said he or she usually lives. This may be different from where they were counted on census night.)

Regional Councils

The Auckland region has seen the fastest growth in population since 1991, increasing by 13.2 per cent or 124,871 to 1,068,645, and accounting for 29.5 per cent of New Zealand's resident population. Tasman and Nelson regions also experienced growth over 10 per cent, Tasman increasing by 11.6 per cent or 3,946 to 37,973, and Nelson by 10.5 per cent or 3,821 to 40,279.

Southland experienced the biggest decrease with the population falling by 2.9 per cent or 2,853 to 97,100. The only other region recording a decrease was Taranaki which declined by 0.5 per cent or 537 to 106,589.

The three most populated regions, after Auckland, were Canterbury (468,040), Wellington (414,048) and Waikato (350,125).

Territorial Authorities

Queenstown-Lakes District was the fastest growing territorial authority area with a substantial increase of 43.1 per cent or 4,300 people, bringing its population up to 14,285. The next largest percentage increases were recorded in Rodney District 21.3 per cent, Western Bay of Plenty District 17.1 per cent, Tauranga District 16.5 per cent and Selwyn District 16.2 per cent.

All four cities in the Auckland region recorded significant growth: Waitakere 13.6 per cent, Auckland 12.9 per cent, North Shore 12.8 per cent and Manukau 12.5 per cent.

Numerically, Auckland City had the largest increase in population with a gain of 39,560, followed by Manukau 28,280 and Christchurch 19,951. Of the districts, Rodney's population rose by 11,669 and Tauranga's by 11,038 people.

The territorial authority with the highest percentage decrease in population over the intercensal period was Kawerau District with a decline of 6.1 per cent or 510 people. South Waikato District fell by 5.3 per cent or 1,398, and Invercargill City declined by 4.5 per cent or 2,499 (this was also the largest numeric decrease).

Other territorial authorities recording significant numeric decreases were South Taranaki District 1,095 (3.6 per cent), Tararua District 788 (4.0 per cent) and Waitomo District 361 (3.6 per cent).

The populations of the major cities in descending order were: Auckland 345,768, Christchurch 309,028, Manukau City 254,278, North Shore 172,164, Wellington 157,646, Waitakere 155,565, Dunedin 118,143, Hamilton 108,428 and Lower Hutt 95,872.

The three districts with the highest populations were Tauranga 77,775, New Plymouth 68,111 and Whangarei 66,748.

Chatham Islands District with 730 people had the smallest population of the local authorities. Kaikoura District 3,516 and Mackenzie District 4,077 were the next smallest.

Main Urban Areas

Tauranga experienced the fastest growth, 17.1 per cent since 1991, its population increasing by 11,994 to 82,287. Five other main urban areas grew by over 10 per cent: the four Auckland zones - Northern 14.8 per cent, Western 13.3 per cent, Central 12.9 per cent and Southern 11.5 per cent - and Nelson 10.5 per cent. Numeric growth was again dominated by the Auckland zones: Central 38,536, Southern 30,161, Northern 26,053, and Christchurch with 21,839 people.

Only three main urban areas declined in population: Invercargill by 4.1 per cent or 2,138, the fastest rate of decrease, Upper Hutt by 1.0 per cent or 356 people and Wanganui by only 3 people.

Secondary Urban Areas

The fastest population growth rate of 11.9 per cent was recorded in Taupo, an increase of 2,040 people. Kapiti and Pukekohe also grew by over 10 per cent at 10.8 per cent (2,945, the largest numerically) and 10.4 per cent (1,591) respectively. The only other significant numeric increase was in Blenheim, a rise of 1,924 people.

Tokoroa's population fell, recording a percentage decrease of 6.7 per cent or 1,122 people. Gore fell by 3.1 per cent or 338 and Timaru by 1.7 per cent or 463 people.

Minor Urban Areas

Percentage growth in the minor urban areas was dominated by four centres, all in the South Island, with three being in close proximity to one another, namely Arrowtown 59.1 per cent, Queenstown 45.8 per cent and Wanaka 42.1 per cent, the fourth being Lincoln at 42.3 per cent. Queenstown also recorded the largest numeric increase in population, growing by 2,352 to 7,491 people. The next three largest numerical increases occurred in Rangiora 1,089 people, Waiheke Island 855 people and Kerikeri 704 people.

Bluff, Eltham and Moerewa all decreased by over 10 per cent at 13.5 per cent, 11.5 per cent and 10.6 per cent respectively. Kawerau declined by the largest number of people, 510, followed by Bluff 324 and Taumarunui 308.

Rural Centres and Rural Areas

The population of Rural Centres and Rural Areas increased by 7.6 per cent (or 37,326) to 527,893. This is a substantial increase when compared to the previous intercensal period 1986-1991 when the population gain of these areas was only 1.4 per cent (or 6,662).

Dwellings

The total number of occupied dwellings was 1,283,992, an increase of 98,596 or 8.3 per cent since the 1991 Census. In addition, there were 123,837 unoccupied dwellings, (including 10,448 under construction), compared to the 1991 figure of 132,316.

Len Cook
GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN
28 February 1997

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Published 28 February 1997