Economy, jobs and prices in Whangarei District, New Zealand: official figures
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.
What is the median household income in Whangarei District?
The median household income in Whangarei District was NZ$81,900 a year in 2023, up from NZ$62,100 at the 2018 Census (New Zealand in 2023: NZ$97,000). That is 2nd lowest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Whangarei District?
At the 2023 Census, 59.9% of people aged 15 and over in Whangarei District were employed (full-time or part-time) and the unemployment rate was 4.6% of the labour force (New Zealand: 64.6% employed and 4.4% unemployed). That is 4th highest unemployment of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many jobs are there in Whangarei District?
Stats NZ counted 38,200 employees working in Whangarei District in February 2025, which is 38 for every 100 residents. That is the fewest jobs per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Whangarei District?
There were 11,670 businesses (geographic units) in Whangarei District in February 2025, or 116 per 1,000 residents. That is 5th highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Whangarei District?
The biggest industries for employed residents of Whangarei District at the 2023 Census were health care and social assistance (13.7%), construction (11.9%), retail trade (9.2%).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Whangarei District work from home?
At the 2023 Census, 17.4% of employed residents of Whangarei District mainly worked at home on census day. That is 4th highest share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many new homes are being built in Whangarei District?
Councils consented 419 new dwellings in Whangarei District in the year ended March 2026, compared with 368 the year before (4.2 per 1,000 residents). That is 5th most consents per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Whangarei District?
The median weekly rent paid by households in Whangarei District was NZ$420 at the 2023 Census, up from NZ$300 in 2018 (New Zealand: NZ$450). That is 3rd lowest rent of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people own their home in Whangarei District?
70.4% of households in Whangarei District owned their home or held it in a family trust at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 66.0%). That is the highest home ownership of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households in Whangarei District have no car?
5.2% of households in Whangarei District had no motor vehicle at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 6.3%). That is 2nd lowest share without a vehicle of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Whangarei District have internet access?
87.9% of people in Whangarei District had access to the internet at home at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 90.5%). That is the lowest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Whangarei District compares with other cities in New Zealand
Median personal income of adults (2023 Census)
Whangarei District ranks 7 of 8, highest first. Napier-Hastings is left out because it is two separate territorial authorities with separate medians.
| Rank | City | Median personal income of adults |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lower Hutt | NZ$47,800 |
| 3 | Auckland | NZ$44,700 |
| 4 | Hamilton | NZ$42,200 |
| 5 | Tauranga | NZ$42,100 |
| 6 | Christchurch | NZ$40,400 |
| 7 | Whangarei District | NZ$36,500 |
| 8 | Dunedin | NZ$33,500 |
Unemployment rate (2023 Census)
Whangarei District ranks 4 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton | 5.6% |
| 2 | Dunedin | 5.0% |
| 3 | Auckland | 4.8% |
| 4 | Whangarei District | 4.6% |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | 4.4% |
| 6 | Napier-Hastings | 4.2% |
| 7 | Christchurch | 4.1% |
Employees working in the area per 100 residents (February 2025)
Whangarei District ranks 9 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employees working in the area per 100 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Hamilton | 55 |
| 4 | Napier-Hastings | 50 |
| 5 | Auckland | 48 |
| 6 | Tauranga | 46 |
| 7 | Dunedin | 46 |
| 8 | Lower Hutt | 41 |
| 9 | Whangarei District | 38 |
Median weekly rent (2023 Census)
Whangarei District ranks 6 of 8, highest first. Napier-Hastings is left out because it is two separate territorial authorities with separate medians.
| Rank | City | Median weekly rent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Tauranga | NZ$550 |
| 3 | Auckland | NZ$540 |
| 4 | Hamilton | NZ$465 |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | NZ$450 |
| 6 | Whangarei District | NZ$420 |
| 7 | Christchurch | NZ$415 |
| 8 | Dunedin | NZ$400 |
More on Whangarei District: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in New Zealand
Sources
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Whangarei District (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9493c25447e0…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Wellington City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c078d1c26a…)
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