The census is the official count of population and dwellings in New Zealand, providing a ‘snapshot’ of our society at a point in time. The New Zealand census is currently taken every five years. The census counts everyone who was in New Zealand on census night and provides key information about the people living in cities, towns, suburbs and rural communities.
The first census for the whole colony was taken in 1851, including data only on Europeans. The first census to include Māori was taken in 1858 (see the book Observations on the State of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of New Zealand). Māori were not 'counted' on the same basis as Europeans until 1945.
Provincial data was recorded.
A History of the Census in New Zealand
For census information up to 1858.
Read a historical account of the New Zealand Census in the 1921 Census, pages 2 - 11.
Statistics of New Zealand for... 1853 - 1872
Includes the Census results for 1858, 1861, 1864, 1867.
Results of a Census of the Colony of New Zealand Taken for the Night of the...1874 - 1906
Census data for 1874 - 1906.
Census 1871 - 1916
Digitised census of population and dwellings
The Census Act 1877 provided for a census to be taken in 1878, 1881 and then every following five years. There have been three exceptions: 1931 (economic reasons in the Depression), 1941 (World War II) and 2011 (Christchurch earthquake).
The next census will take place in 2013 and every 5 years thereafter. Alternative sources of data for 2011 Census variables.
Results of a Census of the Colony of New Zealand Taken for the Night of the...1874 - 1906
Census data for 1874 - 1906.
Results of a Census of the Dominion of New Zealand Taken for the Night of the...1911 - 1921
Population Census 1926 - 1961
New Zealand Population Census 1951
New Zealand Population Census 1956
New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings 1966 - 1981
Search Discover for a list of publications of New Zealand Census data for 1986
Search Discover for a list of publications of New Zealand Census data for 1991
Search Discover for a list of publications of New Zealand Census data for 1996
Some publications are also available online.
Search Discover for a list of publications of New Zealand Census data for 2001
Some publications are also available online.
Search Discover for a list of publications of New Zealand Census data for 2006
Some publications are also available online.
Statistics New Zealand: Census
Click on Census tab for more information on NZ census' 1996 - 2013.
