Whangarei District: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Whangarei District: The median personal income of adults in Whangarei District was NZ$36,500 a year at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: NZ$41,500). That is 2nd lowest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Health in Whangarei District: Life expectancy at birth in Whangarei District was 78.9 years for males and 82.4 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.2 and 82.7 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is 2nd lowest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Education in Whangarei District: 20.1% of adults in Whangarei District held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 18.1% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is the lowest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Whangarei District: 10,077 people in Whangarei District were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 5,523 on Jobseeker Support, 2,259 on Sole Parent Support and 2,208 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 100 for every 1,000 residents. That is 2nd highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Government budget and revenue in Whangarei District: In the year ended June 2025, Whangarei District Council had operating income of NZ$200.53 million and operating expenditure of NZ$232.46 million, an operating deficit of NZ$31.92 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$2,311 of operating spending per resident. That is 2nd lowest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What is the population of Whangarei District?
Whangarei District (Whangārei district territorial authority) had an estimated 100,600 residents at 30 June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This is a provisional estimate based on the 2023 Census. That is the lowest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the population of Whangarei District growing?
The population of Whangarei District grew by 0.3% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 100,300 to 100,600), including natural increase of 120 and net migration of +200 people (provisional Stats NZ estimates, rounded). That is 5th fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much has the population of Whangarei District grown since the 2018 census?
The 2023 Census counted 96,678 usual residents in Whangarei District, +6.3% on the 2018 Census count of 90,960. That is 3rd fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Whangarei District?
19.3% of residents of Whangarei District were aged under 15 and 21.5% were aged 65 or over at 30 June 2025 (provisional Stats NZ estimates). That is the oldest population of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Whangarei District?
The median age in Whangarei District was 41.3 years at 30 June 2025, compared with 38.1 years for New Zealand at the 2023 Census. That is the oldest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Whangarei District?
At the 2023 Census, 6.4% of people in Whangarei District identified with the Asian ethnic group, 31.4% as Māori and 4.5% as Pacific Peoples (people can identify with more than one group). That is the lowest Asian share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households are there in Whangarei District?
Whangarei District had 35,088 households at the 2023 Census, with an average of 2.6 usual residents per household.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWho runs Whangarei District?
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
- Tauranga 161,000
- Napier-Hastings 154,700
- Dunedin 132,800
- Lower Hutt 114,200
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: Whangarei District (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9493c25447e0…)
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