Nelson: population, economy, jobs, health, benefits and council finances
Nelson is a region of New Zealand, number 13 of 16 by population. Nelson had an estimated 54,300 residents at 30 June 2025, 1.0% of New Zealand's 5,324,700. Stats NZ describes this as a provisional estimate, It is 4th smallest of 16 regions by population.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Nelson: Stats NZ reports the economies of Tasman and Nelson together. In the year ended March 2025 they produced NZ$7,788 million of GDP, 1.8% of New Zealand's NZ$431,457 million (the figure covers Nelson and Tasman).
- Health in Nelson: Life expectancy at birth for males in Nelson was 80.4 years in 2022-2024, compared with 80.1 years for New Zealand. It is joint 6th highest of 16 regions. In 2005-2007 it was 78.4 years, a change of +2.0 years.
- Poverty and living standards in Nelson: 3,864 working-age people (aged 18 to 64) in Nelson were receiving a main benefit in September 2026, up 4.5% from 3,696 a year earlier. The Ministry of Social Development counts Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment and other main benefits.
- Government budget and revenue in Nelson: Nelson City Council had total operating income of NZ$180 million in the year ended June 2025 and total operating expenditure of NZ$181 million, an operating deficit of NZ$1.1 million. Nelson City Council is a unitary authority, so it also does the work of a city or district council.
Is the population of Nelson growing?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the population of Nelson fell by 0.3% (from 54,500 to 54,300, provisional estimates), compared with 0.7% growth for New Zealand. That growth rate is joint lowest of 16 regions.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Nelson?
The median age in Nelson was 44.1 years at 30 June 2025 (provisional), against 38.2 for New Zealand. People aged 65 and over made up 22.4% of residents (12,200 people) and children aged 0-14 made up 15.9%.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people moved to Nelson in 2025?
In the year to 30 June 2025, Nelson had natural increase (births minus deaths) of -50. Net migration was -110 people (110 international and -230 between regions of New Zealand); negative numbers mean more people left than arrived. These are provisional Stats NZ estimates.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow regions are governed in New Zealand
Regional councils (11). Councillors elected for three years; the chair is elected by councillors. Environment, freshwater, regional transport, civil defence.
Every tier of government in New Zealand
Other regions of New Zealand
- Auckland 1,816,000
- Canterbury 698,200
- Wellington 543,400
- Waikato 532,100
- Bay of Plenty 351,500
- Manawatū-Whanganui 260,700
- Otago 253,900
- Northland 201,100
- Hawke's Bay 179,700
- Taranaki 130,300
- Southland 104,800
- Tasman 59,900
- Gisborne 52,700
- Marlborough 50,800
- West Coast 34,700
Up a level: New Zealand · government and power in New Zealand · cities
Sources
- Stats NZ: Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2025 (GDP by region and industry; GDP per person by region), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cca1f2f77ec7…)
- Stats NZ: Labour market statistics: June 2026 quarter, Household Labour Force Survey Tables 3 and 6 (by regional council area), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 315f48f981cb…)
- Stats NZ: Local authority financial statistics: Year ended June 2025 (income and expenditure, by activity, financial position; nalafs-jun2025-tables-csv.csv), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b12af625c966…)
- Stats NZ: National and subnational period life tables: 2022-2024, Tables 1-3: life expectancy at birth by region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b1e80765f358…)
- Ministry of Social Development: Quarterly Benefit Fact Sheets: Regional Council tables, September 2026 (working-age recipients of main benefits), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b2108068006a…)
- Stats NZ: Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2025 (provisional), Tables 1, 3 and 5: regional council areas, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 001e8a896cfb…)
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