Living

Around 148,500 people call Northland their home.

Retail therapy in the Whangarei city mall

33% of Northlanders identify themselves as Maori from the tribes or Iwi of; Ngati Wai, Ngapuhi, Ngai Takoto, Te Aupouri, Ngati Kuri, Te Rarawa, Te Roroa, Ngati Whatua.

Northlanders of European descent also celebrate their own diverse Scottish, French, Dalmation, Irish, Welsh, English and other histories and stories. More recent immigrants include Pacific Islanders and Asians.

With its high Maori population and rich mix of peoples, its history and its geography, a strong sense of community and regional identity has developed. Northland’s remoteness has produced a region of people, themselves descended from strong pioneer stock, that are resilient, tough and talented. People who will creatively solve challenges with the help of their neighbours and wider community – Northland solutions to Northland challenges.

Northland as a rural region of New Zealand, with low population density, has less than half of the population live in urban areas. Whangarei city is the region’s largest centre with the rest of the population spread throughout Northland in small settlements and communities. Kaitāia, Dargaville, Kaikohe and Kerikeri,  Paihia, Moerewa, Kawakawa and Taipā–Mangonui each have between 1,500 and 1,800 people.

Many small communities are dotted around the coast as people make the most of the outstanding natural environment that Northland offers.

Related Links

• Up North Portal
  The Up North portal will link you to many of Northland’s community websites
• Culture and History
  
• Statistics New Zealand Tatauranga Aotearoa
  Community profiles can be found at the Statistics New Zealand website