Tauranga: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Tauranga: The median personal income of adults in Tauranga was NZ$42,100 a year at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: NZ$41,500). That is 4th lowest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Health in Tauranga: Life expectancy at birth in Tauranga was 80.8 years for males and 84.5 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 81.0 and 84.6 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is 2nd highest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Education in Tauranga: 24.9% of adults in Tauranga held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 14.9% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is 3rd lowest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Tauranga: 11,172 people in Tauranga were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 5,574 on Jobseeker Support, 2,544 on Sole Parent Support and 2,964 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 69 for every 1,000 residents. That is 3rd lowest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Government budget and revenue in Tauranga: In the year ended June 2025, Tauranga City Council had operating income of NZ$476.15 million and operating expenditure of NZ$529.75 million, an operating deficit of NZ$53.60 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$3,290 of operating spending per resident. That is 2nd highest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What is the population of Tauranga?
Tauranga (Tauranga city territorial authority) had an estimated 161,000 residents at 30 June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This is a provisional estimate based on the 2023 Census. That is 5th highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the population of Tauranga growing?
The population of Tauranga grew by 0.1% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 160,800 to 161,000), including natural increase of 460 and net migration of -290 people (provisional Stats NZ estimates, rounded). That is 4th slowest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much has the population of Tauranga grown since the 2018 census?
The 2023 Census counted 152,844 usual residents in Tauranga, +11.5% on the 2018 Census count of 137,130. That is the fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Tauranga?
19.0% of residents of Tauranga were aged under 15 and 19.6% were aged 65 or over at 30 June 2025 (provisional Stats NZ estimates). That is 2nd oldest population of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Tauranga?
The median age in Tauranga was 39.2 years at 30 June 2025, compared with 38.1 years for New Zealand at the 2023 Census. That is 2nd oldest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Tauranga?
At the 2023 Census, 10.3% of people in Tauranga identified with the Asian ethnic group, 19.3% as Māori and 3.6% as Pacific Peoples (people can identify with more than one group). That is 4th lowest Asian share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households are there in Tauranga?
Tauranga had 55,359 households at the 2023 Census, with an average of 2.6 usual residents per household.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWho runs Tauranga?
In New Zealand, cities and towns are run by regional councils: Councillors elected for three years; the chair is elected by councillors. Environment, freshwater, regional transport, civil defence.
How local power works in New Zealand
Cities of a similar size in New Zealand
- Auckland 1,816,000
- Christchurch 419,200
- Wellington 210,800
- Hamilton 192,100
- Napier-Hastings 154,700
- Dunedin 132,800
- Lower Hutt 114,200
- Whangarei District 100,600
Up a level: all cities in New Zealand · New Zealand · government and power
Sources
- Stats NZ: Local authority financial statistics: Year ended June 2025 (CSV), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b12af625c966…)
- Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand): Benefit Fact Sheets: Territorial Authorities (TA) data tables, September 2026, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9e82549b2b86…)
- Stats NZ: Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2025 (provisional), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 001e8a896cfb…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Tauranga City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a35e63aea4f1…)
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