September 23, 2019

First data from 2018 Census released

The first population counts from the 2018 Census were released today.

According to Statistics New Zealand, the country had 4,699,755 usual residents as at March 2018, up 457,700 or 10.8 percent from the 4,242,050 usual residents New Zealand had as at the March 2013 Census.

Of the 4,699,755 usual residents 3,971,859 filled in an individual Census form, a further 203,010 where included on a household form, but did not complete an individual Census form, and the last 524,853 where counted using administration enumeration.

The districts with the highest percentage of administration enumeration were Kawerau and Opotiki at 22 percent, and the Far North at 20 percent.

At a district level the districts with the highest percentage of administration enumeration were Kawerau and Opotiki at 22 percent, and the Far North at 20 percent.  At the other end Selwyn and Mackenzie districts had just six percent of the population from administration enumeration.

The first snapshot of 2018 Census data reveals that Auckland saw an increase in population of 156,168 in usual residents since 2013, an 11 percent increase taking the population to 1,590,260.  This was followed by Christchurch City with a population of 378,480, a 27,600 increase or 7.9 percent, and Tauranga City with a resident population of 137,780, a 21,600 increase or 18.6 percent.  While Grey District and Buller District on the West Coast had a small decline in the number of usual residents, with Grey losing 27 residents, and Buller losing 880 or almost 10 percent of their population. 

Looking at Census age groups, New Zealand saw a decline of around 14,400 people aged between 40 and 44 between 2013 and 2018.  At the same time the 25 to 29 population increased by 86,300, the 30 to 34 population increased by 60,500, and our over 65 population increased by 108,100.

As at the 2018 Census, Māori have remained the second largest ethnic group in New Zealand with 775,836, increasing by 30 percent or 177,000 between 2013 and 2018. A very close third, was the Asian ethnic group with 707,598, and increase of 50 percent or 235,890 people.  Of concern though is that 29 percent of the Māori population counts and 32 percent of the Pacific peoples counts were sourced from outside the individual census form.  The 2013 Census and administration enumeration was the most common sources of additional data on ethnicity.

Of concern is that 29 percent of the Māori population counts and 32 percent of the Pacific peoples counts were sourced from outside the individual census form.