New Zealand Flag

New Zealand

Capital:
Wellington
Continent:
Oceania
Largest Cities:
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
Abbreviation:
NZL

5.3M
Total Population
126
Population Rank
19.95
Density (km²)
38K 0.71%
Annual Population Growth

Population of New Zealand

New Zealand's population structure shows a nearly equal male to female ratio of 0.99 to 1, with a median male age of 37.47 years old and a median female age of 39.56 years old. The highest concentration of adults under 75 years old is in the 33 and 32 year-old age groups, while the lowest concentration is in the 74 and 73 year-old age groups.

New Zealand Population

Data after 2022 is projected based on recent change

New Zealand Population Clock

New Zealand Population*
5,238,052
Births per Day
160
Deaths per Day
107
Immigrations per Day
48
Net Change per Day
100
2025 Population Change*
4,300

* As of 2/12/2025

1 birth

Every 9.0 minutes

1 death

Every 13.5 minutes

1 immigrant

Every 30.0 minutes

1 person

Every 14.4 minutes

Population by City

City
2025 Pop.
Auckland417,910
Wellington381,900
Christchurch363,926
Manukau City362,000
Waitakere208,100
North Shore207,865
Hamilton152,641
Dunedin114,347
Tauranga110,338
Lower Hutt101,194

New Zealand Overview

New Zealand Demographics

As far as demographics are concerned, the indigenous Maoris were overtaken in terms of numbers by European settlers as early as the 19th century. The 2013 census revealed that of the total population of over 4 million, 74% of citizens declared themselves to be of European descent. Maoris made up for 14.9% with those of Asian ethnicity contributing another 11.8%.

In terms of languages used within New Zealand, there are quite a few. They include English (de facto official language) 89.8%, Maori (de jure official) 3.5%, Samoan 2%, Hindi 1.6%, French 1.2%, Northern Chinese 1.2%, Yue 1%, other or not stated 20.5%, New Zealand Sign Language (official language). Many respondents use multiple languages which will create 100%+ sums in some of these notes.

New Zealand Religion, Economy and Politics

The religions among the residents of New Zealand come in at Christian 44.3% (including Catholic 11.6%, Anglican 10.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 7.8%, Methodist, 2.4%, Pentecostal 1.8%, other 9.9%), Hindu 2.1%, Buddhist 1.4%, Maori Christian 1.3%, Islam 1.1%, other religion 1.4% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha’i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 38.5%, not stated or unidentified 8.2%, and those objected to answering came in at 4.1%.

The terms of GDP, the economy in New Zealand is the 53rd strongest in the world, much of which is dependent upon their foreign trade with countries like Australia, all of the European Union, the United States, China, South Korea, Canada, and Japan. Their proximity and the Closer Economic Relations agreement in 1983 brought the economies of New Zealand and Australia close together and they operate in very similar fashions.

New Zealand’s government is a unitary parliamentary representative democracy, as well as a constitutional, hereditary monarchy. While the Prime Minister is the most important person in the day-to-day government, above them in the constitutional hierarchy is New Zealand’s monarch, the British King or Queen. Therefore, King Charles III is the current Head of State in New Zealand, having succeeded his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. Legislative power is divided between the king and the House of Representatives. Since the king is not often physically present, the Governor-General of New Zealand acts in his place. Executive power is more in the hands of the people and ministers for the House of Representatives are elected democratically.

New Zealand Population History

New Zealand was occupied by the Polynesian people since roughly 1200-1300 AD, but not much is known about the people of this time. Abel Tasman from the Netherlands came to the south island in 1642 and dubbed the territory with its current name. The British began to inhabit the area in the early 1800s.

The British officially established their rule in 1840, much to the disdain of the indigenous people, causing nearly 30 years of civil disputes. New Zealand sent thousands to fight for the British in World War I, causing mass casualties. They were in a similar situation during World War II. Post World War II, New Zealand gained full independence from Britain in 1947.