Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia and New Zealand are two island nations in the Southern Hemisphere, with Australia lying west of New Zealand across the Tasman Sea. The two countries have a close relationship, with many New Zealanders choosing to live in Australia, and vice versa. In this paragraph, we will explore the population distribution in each country and uncover where most people choose to reside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population of Australia | N/A |
| Population of New Zealand | Almost 5 million |
| Most populous city in New Zealand | Auckland |
| Capital of New Zealand | Wellington |
| Most New Zealand citizens living outside the country | Australia (650,000 in 2013) |
| Percentage of New Zealand population living in Australia | 15% |
| Percentage of Australians living in the top eight most populous cities | 70% |
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What You'll Learn
Most Australians live in urban areas
Australia and New Zealand have a close relationship, with many people migrating between the two countries. Migration between the two countries is facilitated by the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, which has allowed for the free movement of citizens between the two countries since 1973. This has resulted in a significant population of New Zealanders in Australia and Australians in New Zealand.
In terms of where people live within each country, most Australians live in urban areas. Australia has two core regions where most of the population resides. There is a small core region in the west, anchored by the city of Perth, and a large core region in the east along the coast. Overall, about 86% of the population of Australia lives in urban areas.
In New Zealand, the majority of the population also lives in urban areas, specifically on the North Island. The five largest cities in New Zealand are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Tauranga, all located on the North Island. Over three-quarters of the population (76.5%) live on the North Island, with one-third of the total population (34%) living in the Auckland Region. The South Island, by contrast, is larger and more mountainous, with vast grasslands that are home to large livestock-raising operations and agricultural activities.
The demographics of New Zealand are diverse, with the country being home to people of many different national origins. As of the 2018 census, the majority of New Zealand's population was of European descent (70%), with the indigenous Maori being the largest minority (16.5%), followed by Asians (15.3%). New Zealand also has a high labour-force participation rate, with New Zealanders in Australia having a higher median weekly income and working longer hours on average.
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70% of Australians live in the eight most populous cities
Australia and New Zealand are two separate sovereign island countries located relatively close to each other in the Southern Pacific Ocean. New Zealand is located about 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) east of Australia, across the Tasman Sea, with a total population of 5.3 million people. Australia, the larger of the two, is situated to the west of New Zealand, with a population of 26 million people.
In New Zealand, the majority of the population lives on the North and South Islands, with the North Island being the most populated. The five largest cities in New Zealand are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Tauranga, with Auckland being the most populous region. Waiheke Island, near Auckland, is the most populated smaller island in New Zealand, with 9,400 residents.
In Australia, the population is concentrated in its major cities, with 70% of Australians living in the eight most populous cities. These cities include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra, with Sydney being the largest city in Australia. Brisbane is the only state capital city with its respective LGA (City of Brisbane) covering a significant portion of its urban area. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are the country's fastest-growing cities, with Melbourne's population increasing by 2.3% in 2018-19, Brisbane by 2.1%, and Sydney by 1.7%.
Migration between New Zealand and Australia is a common phenomenon due to their proximity, Australia's larger economy, free movement agreements, and cultural links. New Zealanders living in Australia have a higher median weekly income and labour-force participation rate than those born in Australia.
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Auckland is New Zealand's most populous city
Auckland's central business district is the country's leading economic hub, and the city is a major tourist destination, bringing in 75% of New Zealand's international visitors. The city has a rich history, with Māori settlement dating back to c. 1350. It was chosen as the capital after the British established a colony in New Zealand in 1840, and it continued to grow due to its port and the resources of its hinterland.
Auckland's population growth has been influenced by various factors, including its role as a base against the Māori King Movement in the early 1860s, which brought an influx of Imperial soldiers, and the spread of European influence from the city. Economic deregulation in the mid-1980s also played a part, with many companies relocating their head offices to Auckland, and the city's multicultural character was further shaped by immigration policy changes in 1986, allowing immigrants from Asia.
Auckland is characterised by its diverse population, with Europeans forming the plurality, followed by Asians (34.9% in 2023), and it has the fourth-largest foreign-born population in the world. The city is also known for its significant Polynesian community, with the world's largest ethnic Polynesian population. Additionally, Auckland has a substantial Pasifika New Zealander presence.
Auckland's strategic location between two major bodies of water, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, has contributed to its significance. The surrounding landscape features rainforest-covered hills and 53 volcanic centres that comprise the Auckland Volcanic Field. The city boasts notable tourist attractions, including national historic sites, festivals, performing arts, sports activities, and cultural institutions such as museums and art galleries.
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Most New Zealanders live in the North Island
New Zealand has a population of around 5.3 million people, the majority of whom live on the North Island. In fact, over three-quarters (76.5%) of the population live on the North Island, with one-third of the total population (34%) living in the Auckland Region. The North Island is also home to most of the country's Māori population, with 86% of Māori living there, although less than a quarter (23.8%) live in Auckland. The five largest cities in New Zealand are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Tauranga, all of which are located on the North Island.
New Zealand has a relatively low population density of 19.7 people per square kilometre, and few people live on the country's smaller islands. Waiheke Island, located near Auckland, is the most populated smaller island with 9,400 residents, while the Chatham and Pitt Islands, and Stewart Island each have populations below 1,000.
New Zealand is a multicultural country with a multiethnic society. The majority of New Zealanders are of European descent (70%), often referred to as Pākehā, with the indigenous Māori being the largest minority (16.5%), followed by Asians (15.3%). New Zealand's population has grown in recent years, boosted by immigration, with an average growth rate of 1.8% per year since 2013. The country has strong cultural links with Australia, and migration between the two countries is common, with around 670,000 New Zealanders living in Australia, and 75,000 Australians living in New Zealand.
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Selwyn District and Queenstown Lakes District saw the biggest population increases from 2018 to 2023
In Australia, most people live in urban areas on the eastern coast, with the majority of the population concentrated in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The state of New South Wales has the highest population, followed by Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.
New Zealand, on the other hand, has a more dispersed population, with most people living on the North and South Islands, particularly in urban areas on the North Island. The five largest cities in New Zealand are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Tauranga, with Auckland being the largest and most populous, housing one-third of the country's population.
Now, let's focus on the Selwyn District and Queenstown Lakes District, which indeed saw the biggest population increases from 2018 to 2023.
The Selwyn District experienced a remarkable 29% population growth during that period, increasing from 60,561 residents in 2018 to 78,144 in 2023, according to the 2023 Census data. This growth significantly surpassed the overall growth rate of New Zealand, which was 6.3% during the same time frame. The district's appeal as an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family has been a driving factor in its population surge. Additionally, the resilient economy of the Selwyn District has contributed to its attractiveness, with a 6.1% increase in employment in the year leading up to March 2024.
The Queenstown Lakes District also witnessed substantial growth, with a 22.1% increase in population from 39,153 in 2018 to 47,808 people in 2023. This growth, however, represented a slower pace compared to the previous five-year period from 2013 to 2018, when the population grew by 38.7%. The impact of the Covid era is believed to have influenced people's choices to move towards places on the outskirts of cities or those offering scenic values, contributing to the population changes in this district.
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Frequently asked questions
70% of the Australian population live in the eight most populous cities, which are the Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs).
The majority of New Zealanders live in the North Island, and in cities. The most populous city in New Zealand is Auckland.
Australia is home to 70% of its population in the eight most populous cities, and New Zealand has a population of almost 5 million people as of 2023.
