List of cities in New Zealand
Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:50:21 AM Wikipedia source
The word city took on two meanings in New Zealand after the local government reforms of 1989. Before the reforms, a borough that had a population of 20,000 or more could be proclaimed a city. The boundaries of councils tended to follow the edge of the built-up area, so there was little difference between the urban area and the local government area. In 1989, the structure of local government in New Zealand was significantly reorganised. Almost all the new district councils and city councils were much larger in land area, and they covered both urban land and the surrounding rural land. Many locations that once had a "city council" are now governed by a "district council". Since 2002, an urban area must have at least 50,000 residents to be proclaimed a city. The word city is used in a general sense to identify the urban areas of New Zealand, independent of local body boundaries. This informal usage is jealously guarded. The district government of the town of Gisborne, for example, adamantly described itself as the first "city" in the world to see the new millennium. Gisborne is governed by a "district council", though its status as a city is not generally disputed in New Zealand. Similarly, there is no "city council" in Auckland, though its status as a city is not generally disputed due to its considerable size. Listed below are the large urban areas referred to colloquially as "cities".
Tables
"Major" and "large" urban areas · Urban areas by population › Urban areas based on 2018 standard
1
1
Rank
1
Urban area
Auckland
Population
1,547,200
Area (km2)
605.67
Population density (per km2)
2,554.5
2
2
Rank
2
Urban area
Christchurch
Population
407,800
Area (km2)
294.43
Population density (per km2)
1,385.0
3
3
Rank
3
Urban area
Wellington
Population
209,800
Area (km2)
112.71
Population density (per km2)
1,861.4
4
4
Rank
4
Urban area
Hamilton
Population
192,100
Area (km2)
110.37
Population density (per km2)
1,740.5
5
5
Rank
5
Urban area
Tauranga
Population
160,900
Area (km2)
141.91
Population density (per km2)
1,133.8
6
6
Rank
6
Urban area
Lower Hutt
Population
113,200
Area (km2)
78.54
Population density (per km2)
1,441.3
7
7
Rank
7
Urban area
Dunedin
Population
104,000
Area (km2)
91.16
Population density (per km2)
1,140.9
8
8
Rank
8
Urban area
Palmerston North
Population
81,200
Area (km2)
77.05
Population density (per km2)
1,053.9
9
9
Rank
9
Urban area
Hibiscus Coast
Population
67,800
Area (km2)
48.39
Population density (per km2)
1,401.1
10
10
Rank
10
Urban area
Napier
Population
66,400
Area (km2)
105.05
Population density (per km2)
632.1
11
11
Rank
11
Urban area
New Plymouth
Population
60,200
Area (km2)
74.79
Population density (per km2)
804.9
12
12
Rank
12
Urban area
Porirua
Population
60,100
Area (km2)
61.19
Population density (per km2)
982.2
13
13
Rank
13
Urban area
Rotorua
Population
58,500
Area (km2)
46.06
Population density (per km2)
1,270.1
14
14
Rank
14
Urban area
Whangārei
Population
56,100
Area (km2)
63.53
Population density (per km2)
883.0
15
15
Rank
15
Urban area
Invercargill
Population
51,200
Area (km2)
62.95
Population density (per km2)
813.3
16
16
Rank
16
Urban area
Nelson
Population
50,800
Area (km2)
54.69
Population density (per km2)
928.9
17
17
Rank
17
Urban area
Hastings
Population
49,800
Area (km2)
26.29
Population density (per km2)
1,894.3
18
18
Rank
18
Urban area
Upper Hutt
Population
44,500
Area (km2)
51.16
Population density (per km2)
869.8
19
19
Rank
19
Urban area
Whanganui
Population
42,800
Area (km2)
41.05
Population density (per km2)
1,042.6
20
20
Rank
20
Urban area
Gisborne
Population
38,100
Area (km2)
37.43
Population density (per km2)
1,017.9
| Rank | Urban area | Population | Area (km2) | Population density (per km2) | Image |
| 1 | Auckland | 1,547,200 | 605.67 | 2,554.5 | |
| 2 | Christchurch | 407,800 | 294.43 | 1,385.0 | |
| 3 | Wellington | 209,800 | 112.71 | 1,861.4 | |
| 4 | Hamilton | 192,100 | 110.37 | 1,740.5 | |
| 5 | Tauranga | 160,900 | 141.91 | 1,133.8 | |
| 6 | Lower Hutt | 113,200 | 78.54 | 1,441.3 | |
| 7 | Dunedin | 104,000 | 91.16 | 1,140.9 | |
| 8 | Palmerston North | 81,200 | 77.05 | 1,053.9 | |
| 9 | Hibiscus Coast | 67,800 | 48.39 | 1,401.1 | |
| 10 | Napier | 66,400 | 105.05 | 632.1 | |
| 11 | New Plymouth | 60,200 | 74.79 | 804.9 | |
| 12 | Porirua | 60,100 | 61.19 | 982.2 | |
| 13 | Rotorua | 58,500 | 46.06 | 1,270.1 | |
| 14 | Whangārei | 56,100 | 63.53 | 883.0 | |
| 15 | Invercargill | 51,200 | 62.95 | 813.3 | |
| 16 | Nelson | 50,800 | 54.69 | 928.9 | |
| 17 | Hastings | 49,800 | 26.29 | 1,894.3 | |
| 18 | Upper Hutt | 44,500 | 51.16 | 869.8 | |
| 19 | Whanganui | 42,800 | 41.05 | 1,042.6 | |
| 20 | Gisborne | 38,100 | 37.43 | 1,017.9 | |
· Urban areas by population › Functional urban areas (metropolitan areas)
1
1
Rank
1
Urban area
Auckland
Population
1,794,400
Area (km2)
3,358.8
Urban areas included
Auckland City, Hibiscus Coast, Beachlands, Clarks Beach, Helensville, Howick, Kumeū-Huapai, Maraetai, Muriwai, Parakai, Patumāhoe, Pukekohe, Riverhead, Tuakau, Waimauku, Waiuku, Pōkeno
2
2
Rank
2
Urban area
Christchurch
Population
556,500
Area (km2)
2,408.1
Urban areas included
Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Rolleston, Diamond Harbour, Leeston, Lincoln, Lyttelton, Pegasus, Prebbleton, West Melton, Woodend
3
3
Rank
3
Urban area
Wellington
Population
441,200
Area (km2)
1,754.9
Urban areas included
Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Featherston, Greytown
4
4
Rank
4
Urban area
Hamilton
Population
235,700
Area (km2)
1,412.7
Urban areas included
Hamilton, Ngāruawāhia
5
5
Rank
5
Urban area
Tauranga
Population
184,000
Area (km2)
790.2
Urban areas included
Tauranga, Ōmokoroa
6
6
Rank
6
Urban area
Dunedin
Population
131,600
Area (km2)
1,033.8
Urban areas included
Dunedin, Mosgiel, Brighton, Waikouaiti, Port Chalmers, Macandrew Bay
7
7
Rank
7
Urban area
Palmerston North
Population
99,300
Area (km2)
978.2
Urban areas included
Palmerston North, Ashhurst
8
8
Rank
8
Urban area
Whangārei
Population
92,600
Area (km2)
1,433.7
Urban areas included
Whangarei, Hikurangi, Ngunguru, One Tree Point, Ruakākā
9
9
Rank
9
Urban area
Nelson
Population
89,100
Area (km2)
1,177.2
Urban areas included
Nelson, Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Māpua, Wakefield
10
10
Rank
10
Urban area
New Plymouth
Population
88,300
Area (km2)
920.9
Urban areas included
New Plymouth, Inglewood, Ōakura, Waitara
11
11
Rank
11
Urban area
Hastings
Population
81,800
Area (km2)
1,160.4
Urban areas included
Hastings, Havelock North, Clive
12
12
Rank
12
Urban area
Rotorua
Population
72,800
Area (km2)
649.1
Urban areas included
Rotorua, Ngongotahā
13
13
Rank
13
Urban area
Napier
Population
68,900
Area (km2)
260.0
Urban areas included
Napier
14
14
Rank
14
Urban area
Invercargill
Population
58,000
Area (km2)
428.5
Urban areas included
Invercargill
15
15
Rank
15
Urban area
Kāpiti Coast
Population
49,900
Area (km2)
317.4
Urban areas included
Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Paekākāriki
16
16
Rank
16
Urban area
Whanganui
Population
48,100
Area (km2)
598.1
Urban areas included
Whanganui
17
17
Rank
17
Urban area
Gisborne
Population
43,600
Area (km2)
612.8
Urban areas included
Gisborne
| Rank | Urban area | Population | Area (km2) | Urban areas included |
| 1 | Auckland | 1,794,400 | 3,358.8 | Auckland City, Hibiscus Coast, Beachlands, Clarks Beach, Helensville, Howick, Kumeū-Huapai, Maraetai, Muriwai, Parakai, Patumāhoe, Pukekohe, Riverhead, Tuakau, Waimauku, Waiuku, Pōkeno |
| 2 | Christchurch | 556,500 | 2,408.1 | Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Rolleston, Diamond Harbour, Leeston, Lincoln, Lyttelton, Pegasus, Prebbleton, West Melton, Woodend |
| 3 | Wellington | 441,200 | 1,754.9 | Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Featherston, Greytown |
| 4 | Hamilton | 235,700 | 1,412.7 | Hamilton, Ngāruawāhia |
| 5 | Tauranga | 184,000 | 790.2 | Tauranga, Ōmokoroa |
| 6 | Dunedin | 131,600 | 1,033.8 | Dunedin, Mosgiel, Brighton, Waikouaiti, Port Chalmers, Macandrew Bay |
| 7 | Palmerston North | 99,300 | 978.2 | Palmerston North, Ashhurst |
| 8 | Whangārei | 92,600 | 1,433.7 | Whangarei, Hikurangi, Ngunguru, One Tree Point, Ruakākā |
| 9 | Nelson | 89,100 | 1,177.2 | Nelson, Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Māpua, Wakefield |
| 10 | New Plymouth | 88,300 | 920.9 | New Plymouth, Inglewood, Ōakura, Waitara |
| 11 | Hastings | 81,800 | 1,160.4 | Hastings, Havelock North, Clive |
| 12 | Rotorua | 72,800 | 649.1 | Rotorua, Ngongotahā |
| 13 | Napier | 68,900 | 260.0 | Napier |
| 14 | Invercargill | 58,000 | 428.5 | Invercargill |
| 15 | Kāpiti Coast | 49,900 | 317.4 | Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Paekākāriki |
| 16 | Whanganui | 48,100 | 598.1 | Whanganui |
| 17 | Gisborne | 43,600 | 612.8 | Gisborne |
· City councils › Populations of present-day city (and Auckland) councils
1
1
Rank
1
City council
Auckland
Population
1,618,400
First proclaimed
1871
2
2
Rank
2
City council
Christchurch
Population
380,200
First proclaimed
1868
3
3
Rank
3
City council
Wellington
Population
209,000
First proclaimed
1870
4
4
Rank
4
City council
Hamilton
Population
165,900
First proclaimed
1936
5
5
Rank
5
City council
Tauranga
Population
140,800
First proclaimed
1963
6
6
Rank
6
City council
Dunedin
Population
130,500
First proclaimed
1865
7
7
Rank
7
City council
Lower Hutt
Population
107,600
First proclaimed
1941
8
8
Rank
8
City council
Palmerston North
Population
87,300
First proclaimed
1930
9
9
Rank
9
City council
Napier
Population
64,100
First proclaimed
1950
10
10
Rank
10
City council
Porirua
Population
58,200
First proclaimed
1965
11
11
Rank
11
City council
Invercargill
Population
55,800
First proclaimed
1930
12
12
Rank
12
City council
Nelson
Population
52,400
First proclaimed
1874
13
13
Rank
13
City council
Upper Hutt
Population
45,300
First proclaimed
1966
| Rank | City council | Population | First proclaimed |
| 1 | Auckland | 1,618,400 | 1871 |
| 2 | Christchurch | 380,200 | 1868 |
| 3 | Wellington | 209,000 | 1870 |
| 4 | Hamilton | 165,900 | 1936 |
| 5 | Tauranga | 140,800 | 1963 |
| 6 | Dunedin | 130,500 | 1865 |
| 7 | Lower Hutt | 107,600 | 1941 |
| 8 | Palmerston North | 87,300 | 1930 |
| 9 | Napier | 64,100 | 1950 |
| 10 | Porirua | 58,200 | 1965 |
| 11 | Invercargill | 55,800 | 1930 |
| 12 | Nelson | 52,400 | 1874 |
| 13 | Upper Hutt | 45,300 | 1966 |
· History of cities › Summary of claims as New Zealand's first city
1839
1839
Foundation Date
1839
City
Wellington
Basis of claim
First of New Zealand's modern cities to be settled
21 May 1852
21 May 1852
Foundation Date
21 May 1852
City
Auckland
Basis of claim
Electorate of "City of Auckland" established
6 February 1854
6 February 1854
Foundation Date
6 February 1854
City
Auckland
Basis of claim
First city council established (disestablished 1856 and not re-established until 1871)
31 July 1856
31 July 1856
Foundation Date
31 July 1856
City
Christchurch
Basis of claim
First settlement to receive city status by letters patent
31 January 1863
31 January 1863
Foundation Date
31 January 1863
City
Christchurch
Basis of claim
Longest continuously operating city council (name changed to Christchurch Borough Council between May and November 1868)
18 May 1865
18 May 1865
Foundation Date
18 May 1865
City
Dunedin
Basis of claim
Longest continuously operating municipal council to continuously use the title "city council"
| Foundation Date | City | Basis of claim |
| 1839 | Wellington | First of New Zealand's modern cities to be settled |
| 21 May 1852 | Auckland | Electorate of "City of Auckland" established |
| 6 February 1854 | Auckland | First city council established (disestablished 1856 and not re-established until 1871) |
| 31 July 1856 | Christchurch | First settlement to receive city status by letters patent |
| 31 January 1863 | Christchurch | Longest continuously operating city council (name changed to Christchurch Borough Council between May and November 1868) |
| 18 May 1865 | Dunedin | Longest continuously operating municipal council to continuously use the title "city council" |
References
- An Encyclopaedia of New Zealandhttps://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/government-local-government/page-2
- New Zealand Legislationhttps://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM4927110.html
- Stuffhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118802046/christchurch-is-new-zealands-second-city-deal-with-it
- Statistical Standard for Geographic Areas 2018https://www.stats.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Retirement-of-archive-website-project-files/Methods/Statistical-standard-for-geographic-areas-2018/statistical-standard-for-geographic-areas-2018.pdf
- datafinder.stats.govt.nzhttps://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/layer/92218-urban-rural-2018-generalised/
- www.stats.govt.nzhttps://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/functional-urban-areas-methodology-and-classification
- "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019"https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/subnational-population-estimates-at-30-june-2019-provisional
- "Lower Hutt City (Name of City Council) Act 1991"https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/local/1991/0002/latest/DLM80144.html?search=qs_act_hutt+city+council_resel&sr=1
- New Zealand Geographerhttps://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5144&context=lhapapers
- Christchurch City Librarieshttps://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/christchurch-european-settlement/
- The Prowhttps://www.theprow.org.nz/events/nelson-becomes-a-city/
- "Provincial Councils Act 1851"http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/pca185115v1851n6338/
- "Auckland City Council Act"http://www8.austlii.edu.au/nz/legis/auk_ord/acco1854256/
- Auckland Councilhttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts-culture-heritage/heritage/archives/Documents/previous-local-government-agencies.pdf
- "Christchurch City Council Ordinance 1862"http://www6.austlii.edu.au/nz/legis/can_ord/ccco1862323/
- "Otago Municipal Corporations Ordinance 1965"http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/ota_ord/omco1865367/
- "Otago Municipal Corporations Empowering Act 1865"http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/omcea186529v1865n55549/
- "Municipal Corporations Act"http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/mca186731v1867n24381/
- "Municipal Corporations Act 1886"http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/mca188650v1886n50338/
- "Local Government Amendment Act (No 2) 1989"http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/lgaa219891989n29316/