List of New Zealand urban areas by population
This article lists urban areas of New Zealand—as defined by Statistics New Zealand—ranked by population. The 150 largest urban areas are listed. Urban areas are defined by the Statistical Standard for Geographic Areas 2018 (SSGA18).
The table's default order is by June 2025 population.
| Name | Region | Population | Growth | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2025 est.[1] | 2023 census[2] | 2018 census[2] | 2023 – June 2025 | 2018–2023 | |||
| 1 | Auckland | Auckland | 1,547,200 | 1,402,275 | 1,345,833 | +10.33% | +4.19% |
| 2 | Christchurch | Canterbury | 407,800 | 380,079 | 358,068 | +7.29% | +6.15% |
| 3 | Wellington | Wellington | 209,800 | 201,708 | 201,792 | +4.01% | −0.04% |
| 4 | Hamilton | Waikato | 192,100 | 174,741 | 160,911 | +9.93% | +8.59% |
| 5 | Tauranga | Bay of Plenty | 160,900 | 152,790 | 137,130 | +5.31% | +11.42% |
| 6 | Lower Hutt | Wellington | 113,200 | 106,530 | 103,545 | +6.26% | +2.88% |
| 7 | Dunedin | Otago | 104,000 | 100,908 | 99,885 | +3.06% | +1.02% |
| 8 | Palmerston North | Manawatū-Whanganui | 81,200 | 78,021 | 76,281 | +4.07% | +2.28% |
| 9 | Hibiscus Coast | Auckland | 67,800 | 63,351 | 53,730 | +7.02% | +17.91% |
| 10 | Napier | Hawke's Bay | 66,400 | 64,695 | 62,241 | +2.64% | +3.94% |
| 11 | New Plymouth | Taranaki | 60,200 | 58,047 | 54,279 | +3.71% | +6.94% |
| 12 | Porirua | Wellington | 60,100 | 58,080 | 55,218 | +3.48% | +5.18% |
| 13 | Rotorua | Bay of Plenty | 58,500 | 55,326 | 54,186 | +5.74% | +2.10% |
| 14 | Whangārei | Northland | 56,100 | 53,841 | 51,894 | +4.20% | +3.75% |
| 15 | Invercargill | Southland | 51,200 | 48,987 | 47,844 | +4.52% | +2.39% |
| 16 | Nelson | Nelson | 50,800 | 49,224 | 48,129 | +3.20% | +2.28% |
| 17 | Hastings | Hawke's Bay | 49,800 | 47,682 | 45,075 | +4.44% | +5.78% |
| 18 | Upper Hutt | Wellington | 44,500 | 42,903 | 41,301 | +3.72% | +3.88% |
| 19 | Whanganui | Manawatū-Whanganui | 42,800 | 41,481 | 39,777 | +3.18% | +4.28% |
| 20 | Gisborne | Gisborne | 38,100 | 36,912 | 34,644 | +3.22% | +6.55% |
| 21 | Rolleston | Canterbury | 34,100 | 28,449 | 17,541 | +19.86% | +62.19% |
| 22 | Paraparaumu | Wellington | 29,900 | 28,938 | 28,701 | +3.32% | +0.83% |
| 23 | Blenheim | Marlborough | 29,800 | 28,788 | 27,648 | +3.52% | +4.12% |
| 24 | Timaru | Canterbury | 29,300 | 28,095 | 27,501 | +4.29% | +2.16% |
| 25 | Queenstown | Otago | 29,000 | 25,050 | 20,346 | +15.77% | +23.12% |
| 26 | Pukekohe | Auckland | 28,800 | 27,042 | 23,841 | +6.50% | +13.43% |
| 27 | Taupō | Waikato | 27,000 | 25,374 | 23,622 | +6.41% | +7.42% |
| 28 | Cambridge | Waikato | 22,700 | 21,366 | 18,681 | +6.24% | +14.37% |
| 29 | Masterton | Wellington | 22,600 | 21,606 | 19,917 | +4.60% | +8.48% |
| 30 | Ashburton | Canterbury | 21,600 | 20,346 | 19,356 | +6.16% | +5.11% |
| 31 | Levin | Manawatū-Whanganui | 20,500 | 19,533 | 17,775 | +4.95% | +9.89% |
| 32 | Richmond | Tasman | 19,950 | 18,447 | 15,378 | +8.15% | +19.96% |
| 33 | Rangiora | Canterbury | 19,300 | 18,855 | 17,898 | +2.36% | +5.35% |
| 34 | Feilding | Manawatū-Whanganui | 17,650 | 16,929 | 15,990 | +4.26% | +5.87% |
| 35 | Whakatāne | Bay of Plenty | 16,950 | 16,419 | 15,795 | +3.23% | +3.95% |
| 36 | Mosgiel | Otago | 15,100 | 14,589 | 13,656 | +3.50% | +6.83% |
| 37 | Havelock North | Hawke's Bay | 15,000 | 15,003 | 14,391 | −0.02% | +4.25% |
| 38 | Tokoroa | Waikato | 14,500 | 14,001 | 13,572 | +3.56% | +3.16% |
| 39 | Oamaru | Otago | 14,300 | 13,680 | 13,065 | +4.53% | +4.71% |
| 40 | Te Awamutu | Waikato | 13,950 | 13,380 | 12,543 | +4.26% | +6.67% |
| 41 | Kaiapoi | Canterbury | 13,700 | 13,017 | 11,853 | +5.25% | +9.82% |
| 42 | Waikanae | Wellington | 13,600 | 12,966 | 12,099 | +4.89% | +7.17% |
| 43 | Wānaka | Otago | 13,200 | 11,922 | 9,555 | +10.72% | +24.77% |
| 44 | Lincoln | Canterbury | 12,100 | 10,611 | 6,522 | +14.03% | +62.70% |
| 45 | Hāwera | Taranaki | 10,700 | 10,365 | 9,792 | +3.23% | +5.85% |
| 46 | Te Puke | Bay of Plenty | 10,400 | 9,114 | 8,631 | +14.11% | +5.60% |
| 47 | Waiuku | Auckland | 9,860 | 9,531 | 9,273 | +3.45% | +2.78% |
| 48 | Morrinsville | Waikato | 9,770 | 9,003 | 7,893 | +8.52% | +14.06% |
| 49 | Matamata | Waikato | 9,540 | 9,132 | 8,043 | +4.47% | +13.54% |
| 50 | Greymouth | West Coast | 8,610 | 8,337 | 7,965 | +3.27% | +4.67% |
| 51 | Ngāruawāhia | Waikato | 8,570 | 7,992 | 6,987 | +7.23% | +14.38% |
| 52 | Huntly | Waikato | 8,550 | 8,232 | 7,947 | +3.86% | +3.59% |
| 53 | Kerikeri | Northland | 8,380 | 8,070 | 7,185 | +3.84% | +12.32% |
| 54 | Beachlands-Pine Harbour | Auckland | 8,330 | 7,797 | 6,261 | +6.84% | +24.53% |
| 55 | Gore | Southland | 8,310 | 8,181 | 7,908 | +1.58% | +3.45% |
| 56 | Motueka | Tasman | 8,290 | 8,190 | 7,998 | +1.22% | +2.40% |
| 57 | Kumeū-Huapai | Auckland | 8,270 | 6,948 | 3,480 | +19.03% | +99.66% |
| 58 | Waiheke Island | Auckland | 8,160 | 7,998 | 7,959 | +2.03% | +0.49% |
| 59 | Waitara | Taranaki | 7,720 | 7,509 | 7,005 | +2.81% | +7.19% |
| 60 | Kawerau | Bay of Plenty | 7,680 | 7,539 | 7,146 | +1.87% | +5.50% |
| 61 | Cromwell | Otago | 7,470 | 6,783 | 5,610 | +10.13% | +20.91% |
| 62 | Pōkeno | Waikato | 7,380 | 6,081 | 2,619 | +21.36% | +132.19% |
| 63 | Thames | Waikato | 7,230 | 7,212 | 7,344 | +0.25% | −1.80% |
| 64 | Warkworth | Auckland | 7,080 | 6,675 | 5,586 | +6.07% | +19.50% |
| 65 | Stratford | Taranaki | 6,430 | 6,330 | 5,886 | +1.58% | +7.54% |
| 66 | Kaitaia | Northland | 6,170 | 5,955 | 5,868 | +3.61% | +1.48% |
| 67 | Whitianga | Waikato | 6,140 | 6,054 | 5,493 | +1.42% | +10.21% |
| 68 | Tuakau | Waikato | 6,090 | 5,736 | 5,103 | +6.17% | +12.40% |
| 69 | Katikati | Bay of Plenty | 6,030 | 5,580 | 5,136 | +8.06% | +8.64% |
| 70 | Carterton | Wellington | 5,930 | 5,859 | 5,343 | +1.21% | +9.66% |
| 71 | Alexandra | Otago | 5,860 | 5,589 | 5,475 | +4.85% | +2.08% |
| 72 | Waihi | Waikato | 5,850 | 5,682 | 5,409 | +2.96% | +5.05% |
| 73 | Ōmokoroa | Bay of Plenty | 5,800 | 5,451 | 3,288 | +6.40% | +65.78% |
| 74 | Prebbleton | Canterbury | 5,750 | 5,382 | 4,518 | +6.84% | +19.12% |
| 75 | Marton | Manawatū-Whanganui | 5,730 | 5,598 | 5,229 | +2.36% | +7.06% |
| 76 | Dannevirke | Manawatū-Whanganui | 5,640 | 5,580 | 5,505 | +1.08% | +1.36% |
| 77 | Woodend | Canterbury | 5,470 | 4,542 | 2,829 | +20.43% | +60.55% |
| 78 | Ngongotahā | Bay of Plenty | 5,280 | 5,124 | 4,869 | +3.04% | +5.24% |
| 79 | Ōtaki | Wellington | 5,260 | 5,025 | 4,608 | +4.68% | +9.05% |
| 80 | Dargaville | Northland | 5,170 | 5,016 | 4,827 | +3.07% | +3.92% |
| 81 | Taumarunui | Manawatū-Whanganui | 4,940 | 4,821 | 4,710 | +2.47% | +2.36% |
| 82 | Ōpōtiki | Bay of Plenty | 4,900 | 4,839 | 4,791 | +1.26% | +1.00% |
| 83= | Picton | Marlborough | 4,850 | 4,812 | 4,587 | +0.79% | +4.91% |
| 83= | Te Kūiti | Waikato | 4,850 | 4,659 | 4,572 | +4.10% | +1.90% |
| 85 | Temuka | Canterbury | 4,760 | 4,593 | 4,467 | +3.64% | +2.82% |
| 86 | Waipukurau | Hawke's Bay | 4,750 | 4,698 | 4,416 | +1.11% | +6.39% |
| 87 | Te Aroha | Waikato | 4,730 | 4,650 | 4,551 | +1.72% | +2.18% |
| 88= | Kaikohe | Northland | 4,720 | 4,563 | 4,455 | +3.44% | +2.42% |
| 88= | Wairoa | Hawke's Bay | 4,720 | 4,707 | 4,527 | +0.28% | +3.98% |
| 90= | Paeroa | Waikato | 4,600 | 4,458 | 4,269 | +3.19% | +4.43% |
| 90= | Westport | West Coast | 4,600 | 4,527 | 4,392 | +1.61% | +3.07% |
| 92 | Putāruru | Waikato | 4,560 | 4,455 | 4,314 | +2.36% | +3.27% |
| 93 | Balclutha | Otago | 4,460 | 4,347 | 4,110 | +2.60% | +5.77% |
| 94 | Pegasus | Canterbury | 4,260 | 3,915 | 2,637 | +8.81% | +48.46% |
| 95 | Whangamatā | Waikato | 4,230 | 4,269 | 4,074 | −0.91% | +4.79% |
| 96 | Inglewood | Taranaki | 3,970 | 3,801 | 3,555 | +4.45% | +6.92% |
| 97 | Tūrangi | Waikato | 3,960 | 3,792 | 3,444 | +4.43% | +10.10% |
| 98 | Raglan | Waikato | 3,910 | 3,717 | 3,327 | +5.19% | +11.72% |
| 99 | Riverhead | Auckland | 3,840 | 3,558 | 2,724 | +7.93% | +30.62% |
| 100 | Kihikihi | Waikato | 3,820 | 3,456 | 2,754 | +10.53% | +25.49% |
| 101 | Te Kauwhata | Waikato | 3,780 | 3,303 | 2,118 | +14.44% | +55.95% |
| 102 | Snells Beach | Auckland | 3,750 | 3,678 | 3,405 | +1.96% | +8.02% |
| 103 | Waimate | Canterbury | 3,610 | 3,591 | 3,456 | +0.53% | +3.91% |
| 104 | Darfield | Canterbury | 3,590 | 3,249 | 2,784 | +10.50% | +16.70% |
| 105 | Helensville | Auckland | 3,540 | 3,279 | 2,820 | +7.96% | +16.28% |
| 106 | Foxton | Manawatū-Whanganui | 3,520 | 3,384 | 3,141 | +4.02% | +7.74% |
| 107 | Hokitika | West Coast | 3,420 | 3,267 | 3,096 | +4.68% | +5.52% |
| 108= | Ashhurst | Manawatū-Whanganui | 3,350 | 3,237 | 2,934 | +3.49% | +10.33% |
| 108= | One Tree Point | Northland | 3,350 | 2,988 | 2,217 | +12.12% | +34.78% |
| 110 | Ōtorohanga | Waikato | 3,240 | 3,180 | 3,027 | +1.89% | +5.05% |
| 111 | Lyttelton | Canterbury | 3,220 | 3,123 | 2,982 | +3.11% | +4.73% |
| 112= | Geraldine | Canterbury | 3,070 | 3,018 | 2,883 | +1.72% | +4.68% |
| 112= | Ōhope | Bay of Plenty | 3,070 | 3,033 | 3,177 | +1.22% | −4.53% |
| 114 | Te Anau | Southland | 2,920 | 2,751 | 2,574 | +6.14% | +6.88% |
| 115 | Ruakākā | Northland | 2,890 | 2,817 | 2,586 | +2.59% | +8.93% |
| 116= | Amberley | Canterbury | 2,870 | 2,520 | 2,070 | +13.89% | +21.74% |
| 116= | Featherston | Wellington | 2,870 | 2,793 | 2,487 | +2.76% | +12.30% |
| 118 | Arrowtown | Otago | 2,860 | 2,838 | 2,853 | +0.78% | −0.53% |
| 119 | Greytown | Wellington | 2,840 | 2,772 | 2,466 | +2.45% | +12.41% |
| 120 | Pahiatua | Manawatū-Whanganui | 2,830 | 2,838 | 2,682 | −0.28% | +5.82% |
| 121 | Mangawhai Heads | Northland | 2,760 | 2,685 | 1,995 | +2.79% | +34.59% |
| 122 | Wakefield | Tasman | 2,730 | 2,694 | 2,448 | +1.34% | +10.05% |
| 123 | West Melton | Canterbury | 2,700 | 2,409 | 1,971 | +12.08% | +22.22% |
| 124 | Maraetai | Auckland | 2,660 | 2,553 | 2,346 | +4.19% | +8.82% |
| 125 | Waihi Beach-Bowentown | Bay of Plenty | 2,620 | 2,550 | 2,484 | +2.75% | +2.66% |
| 126 | Winton | Southland | 2,560 | 2,475 | 2,337 | +3.43% | +5.91% |
| 127 | Lake Hāwea | Otago | 2,500 | 2,001 | 1,200 | +24.94% | +66.75% |
| 128= | Leeston | Canterbury | 2,470 | 2,271 | 2,208 | +8.76% | +2.85% |
| 128= | Renwick | Marlborough | 2,470 | 2,448 | 2,418 | +0.90% | +1.24% |
| 130 | Waipawa | Hawke's Bay | 2,430 | 2,334 | 2,085 | +4.11% | +11.94% |
| 131 | Kaikōura | Canterbury | 2,350 | 2,316 | 2,223 | +1.47% | +4.18% |
| 132 | Brightwater | Tasman | 2,330 | 2,280 | 2,133 | +2.19% | +6.89% |
| 133 | Oxford | Canterbury | 2,250 | 2,235 | 2,214 | +0.67% | +0.95% |
| 134 | Ōtaki Beach | Wellington | 2,230 | 2,145 | 1,818 | +3.96% | +17.99% |
| 135 | Foxton Beach | Manawatū-Whanganui | 2,190 | 2,130 | 1,884 | +2.82% | +13.06% |
| 136 | Methven | Canterbury | 2,170 | 1,977 | 1,779 | +9.76% | +12.25% |
| 137= | Eltham | Taranaki | 2,120 | 2,097 | 1,947 | +1.10% | +7.70% |
| 137= | Milton | Otago | 2,120 | 2,121 | 2,157 | −0.05% | −1.67% |
| 139= | Bulls | Manawatū-Whanganui | 2,110 | 2,055 | 1,935 | +2.68% | +6.20% |
| 139= | Wellsford | Auckland | 2,110 | 2,037 | 1,974 | +3.58% | +3.19% |
| 141 | Clive | Hawke's Bay | 2,040 | 1,992 | 1,887 | +2.41% | +5.56% |
| 142 | Moerewa | Northland | 1,930 | 1,845 | 1,737 | +4.61% | +6.22% |
| 143 | Murupara | Bay of Plenty | 1,910 | 1,884 | 1,815 | +1.38% | +3.80% |
| 144 | Martinborough | Wellington | 1,900 | 1,875 | 1,824 | +1.33% | +2.80% |
| 145 | Edgecumbe | Bay of Plenty | 1,890 | 1,800 | 1,644 | +7.22% | +9.49% |
| 146 | Bluff | Southland | 1,840 | 1,797 | 1,797 | +2.39% | 0.00% |
| 147 | Twizel | Canterbury | 1,790 | 1,674 | 1,515 | +6.93% | +10.50% |
| 148= | Coromandel | Waikato | 1,780 | 1,782 | 1,743 | −0.11% | +2.24% |
| 148= | Ōakura | Taranaki | 1,780 | 1,764 | 1,539 | +3.74% | +14.62% |
| 150 | Paekākāriki | Wellington | 1,740 | 1,674 | 1,746 | +3.94% | −4.12% |
See also
References
- ^ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses | Aotearoa Data Explorer". explore.data.stats.govt.nz/. Retrieved 3 October 2024.