Population
Introduction
Statistics New Zealand produces three types of population data – census data, population estimates and population projections.
Census data
A Census of Population and Dwellings is held in New Zealand every five years. The census provides information on the number of people who live in New Zealand, their age, sex, education, ethnic groups, employment, where they live, etc. It also provides information on the number of dwellings (occupied and unoccupied) in the country. It gives a snapshot of New Zealand at a certain point in time. Census data is used for planning the future needs of our towns, cities and rural areas. It measures what has happened since the last census and allows us to identify future trends. For more information see 2001 Census and 2006 Census.
However, populations are in a constant state of change, both in size and in characteristics. Five-yearly censuses can provide data on the size and composition of the population only at each census date. For many practical purposes, it is important to know the number and characteristics of the people at dates between censuses and after the date of the most recent census.
To meet these needs, Statistics New Zealand produces population estimates and population projections. Population estimates are produced by using data from the most recent Census of Population and Dwellings adjusted for net census undercount and residents temporarily overseas, and updated for births, deaths, external migration and estimated internal migration since the last census. Population projections estimate the future size and other demographic characteristics of a population, based on an assessment of past trends and assumptions about the future course of demographic behaviour (fertility, mortality and net migration).
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Population estimates
Estimates of the resident population of New Zealand provide an estimate of the latest number of New Zealand residents and their distribution by age, sex and geographical area. These figures are used for, among other things, planning, policy formation, and monitoring. Population estimates are updated quarterly for the national population and annually for subnational populations which include regions, urban areas, cities, districts and area units.
Link to latest national, Mäori and subnational population estimates
Link to related publications
Dwelling and household estimates
Link to dwelling and household estimates
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Population projections
Population projections provide an indication of likely changes in the future size and age-sex structure of the population. This information assists central and local government in their planning, allocation of resources and assessment of utility needs, such as water supply and rubbish collection. Population projections are used by educational institutions to determine future teacher/classroom needs and enrolment levels. Businesses also use the projections to highlight the potential market for new products and services, and to site the location of new stores.
Population projections are available at the national and subnational levels. Projections at the national level are available for the total population and the Mäori, Pacific, Asian and European ethnic groups. Also available are related national family and household projections and national labour force projections.
Projections at the subnational level are available for the total population for regional councils, urban areas, cities, districts and area units. Projections of the Mäori, Pacific, Asian and European ethnic groups are available for some regional councils, cities and districts. Also available are family and household projections at regional, city and district level.
The Projections Overview summarises the latest official projections of New Zealand's population, families and households, labour force and selected ethnic groups.
Ad hoc and customised projections are also available on request: Area Unit Population Projections - Information
Link to latest national and subnational population, ethnic population, family and household, and labour force projections
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Base for population estimates and projections
The base population for all 2001-base population estimates and projections is the estimated resident population at 30 June 2001. The 30 June 2001 estimates are based on the census usually resident population count at 6 March 2001 and adjusted for: non-response to the census ethnicity question; net census undercount; residents temporarily overseas on census night; births, deaths and net migration between census night (6 March 2001) and 30 June 2001, and reconciliation with demographic estimates at ages 0–9 years.
For more detailed information on the base population at 30 June 2001 by age, sex, ethnicity and subnational areas, see Base Population for Estimates and Projections.
For more detailed information on the 2001 PES (including results, methodology and international comparisons), see A Report on the Post-enumeration Survey 2001 (2002).
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Different population measures
There are three main population measures produced by Statistics New Zealand. The census night population count includes all people present in a given area and counted by the five-yearly Census of Population and Dwellings, irrespective of whether those people usually live in that area or not. The census night population count does not include adjustments for net census undercount or New Zealand residents temporarily overseas, but does include overseas visitors in New Zealand on census night.
The census usually resident population count includes all residents of a given area counted by the five-yearly Census of Population and Dwellings, irrespective of where in New Zealand those residents were counted. The census usually resident population count does not include adjustments for net census undercount or New Zealand residents temporarily overseas. Overseas visitors in New Zealand on census night are excluded.
The estimated resident population is an estimate of all people who usually live in a given area at a given time, irrespective of where those residents were on census night. The estimated resident population includes adjustments for net census undercount and New Zealand residents temporarily overseas on census night. Overseas visitors in New Zealand on census night are excluded. The estimated resident population is updated regularly for population changes due to births, deaths and net migration. All population estimates from 1996 relate to the estimated resident population, while all population projections produced from 1996 have the estimated resident population as the base.
For more information on these three population measures, see:
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Information releases
2001 Census of Population and Dwellings
Final Counts - Information Release
Latest estimates of population
National Population Estimates - Information Releases
National Population Estimates Tables - 1991–2003, by age by sex.
Maori Population Estimates Tables - 1991–2003, by age by sex.
Subnational Population Estimates - Information Releases
Note: The subnational population estimates may have been revised since the Hot Off The Press and media releases were published. For the latest figures see:
Subnational Population Estimates Tables - 1996–2004, by region, territorial authority and urban area.
Latest projections of population, families, households and labour force
National Population Projections - Information Release
National Population Projections - Additional Tables
- Projection series 4, 2001(base)–2051. Includes the projected population of New Zealand by age and sex, as well as selected demographic characteristics such as projected births, deaths and median age.
- Age-sex pyramids, 1951–2051. Includes the projected population of New Zealand by age and sex for series 1 to 8.
National Mäori Population Projections - Information Release
National Mäori Population Projections - Additional Table
- Projection series 6, 2001(base)–2021. Includes the projected Mäori population of New Zealand by age and sex.
National Pacific Population Projections - Information Release
National Pacific Population Projections - Additional Table
- Projection series 6, 2001(base)–2021. Includes the projected Pacific population of New Zealand by age and sex.
National Asian Population Projections - Information Release
National Asian Population Projections - Additional Table
- Projection series 6, 2001(base)–2021. Includes the projected Asian population of New Zealand by age and sex.
National European Population Projections - Information Release
National European Population Projections - Additional Table
- Projection series 6, 2001(base)–2021. Includes the projected European population of New Zealand by age and sex.
National Family and Household Projections - Information Release
New Zealand Family and Household Projections, 2001(base)–2021 - Publication
National Labour Force Projections - Information Release
Subnational Population Projections - Information Release
Subnational Ethnic Population Projections - Information and Tables
Subnational Family and Household Projections - Information Release
Subnational Family and Household Projections - Additional Tables
- Projected families and households by type, 2001(base)–2021. Includes alternative projections of the number of families and households by type in regions and territorial authorities, and projections of families containing dependent children in territorial authorities.
Area Unit Population Projections - Information
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Forthcoming projections
| Type
| Release date
|
| National Population Projections (2004-base)
| 16 December 2004
|
| Subnational Population Projections (2001-base update)
| 28 February 2005
|
| National Ethnic Population Projections (2001-base update)
| 22 April 2005
|
| National Family and Household Projections (2001-base update)
| 1 June 2005
|
| Subnational Ethnic Population Projections (2001-base update)
| 16 June 2005
|
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Publications
2001 Census of Population and Dwellings - Topic Based Reports
National Summary - Reference Reports
Population and Dwelling Statistics - Reference Reports
Regional Summary - Reference Reports
Maori - Reference Reports
Ethnic Groups - Reference Reports
Population Structure and Internal Migration - Reference Reports
Population Estimates
Adjustment of Post-censal Population Estimates for Census Undercount
The Effects of Changing From De Facto Population Estimates to Resident Population Estimates - Key Statistics article.
Population Ageing in New Zealand - Key Statistics article.
A Report on the Post-enumeration Survey 2001 (2002)
Other
New Zealand Family and Household Projections, 2001(base)-2021 - report.
Demographic Trends - Reference Reports
Key Demographic Indicators - summary statistics for latest December years.
Children in New Zealand - profile.
Maori - profile.
Maori - subject page.
Maori Population: Looking out to 2021 - Paper on Hui Taumata 2005 website looking at current and future aspects of the Maori population.
Pacific Peoples Living in New Zealand - profile.
Older People in New Zealand - profile.
Women in New Zealand - profile.
Young New Zealanders - profile.
Standard Regional Tables (1996 Census of Population and Dwellings)
Final counts - (1996 Census)
Population Structure and Internal Migration (Census 96) (1996) - Reference Reports
New Zealand Now - Families and Households (Census 96) (1998) - Reference Reports
New Zealand Now - People and Places (Census 96) (1996) - Reference Reports
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Classifications and standards
Census of Population and Dwellings
Information about the 2001 Census of Population and Dwellings
Information about the 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings
Population Estimates
Information about the Population Estimates
Population Estimate - glossary term
Population Projections
Information about the Demographic Projections
Population Projection - glossary term
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Overview information
Population Clock - for latest estimates of New Zealand's resident population.
Projections Overview - for a summary of the latest demographic projections.
Population Monitor - for latest information on New Zealand's population, births, deaths, external migration, marriages, divorces, abortions, life expectancy and projections.
Profile of New Zealand
Quick Facts - People
Other
2001 Census of Population and Dwellings
Abortions - subject page
Abortion Statistics - Information Releases
Births and Deaths (including life tables) - subject page
Births and Deaths - Information Releases
Marriages and Divorces - subject page
Marriages and Divorces - Information Releases
Migration - subject page
Population Ageing in New Zealand - Powerpoint presentation from a seminar on the demographics of population ageing
2001 Census of Population and Dwellings - 2001 Post-enumeration Survey Results
Subject information is also available from our INFOS database.
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For enquiries and information requests
This page last modified on: 15 November 2004