Information on Rural NZ
Key statistics
Rural/Urban Population
Rural New Zealand - 13.8%
Urban New Zealand - 86.2%
While the number of people living in rural areas has remained relatively constant over the last century (at about 500,000) the number of people living in urban areas has increased, and continues to increase, significantly.
As a consequence the proportion of people living in rural areas has fallen from about 50% to under 15% over the last century. This trend is expected to continue.
(refer Statistic NZ for further information www.stats.govt.nz/urban-rural-profiles/historical-context/ )
Rural/Urban land
Rural New Zealand - 97.3%
Urban New Zealand - 2.7%
Māori
Māori are an intrinsic part of the rural community and are underpinned by a distinctive culture and value system.
Nationally, the proportion of rural people who identify themselves as Māori is slightly higher than in the general population. The proportion of Māori is much higher in some isolated rural areas such as the Gisborne District (about 30 percent) and in Northland (about 70 percent).
Further information on Rural/Urban Māori - www.tpk.govt.nz/maori/population/rural.asp
Household Income
Households living in rural areas with high urban influence have the highest incomes - the margin above the next highest group (main urban areas) has steadily increased over the last 15 years.
Households living in highly rural/remote areas have the second to lowest incomes - their incomes have increased the least over the past 5 years (2001-2006).
| Annual Household Income | Census Year | Change | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 1991 - 2006 | 2001 - 2006 |
| Highly Rural/Remote Area | $30,000 | $35,900 | $44,100 | $50,500 | 68% | 15% |
| Rural Area with Low Urban Influence | $32,800 | $40,700 | $47,900 | $56,300 | 72% | 18% |
| Rural Area with Moderate Urban Influence | $35,100 | $43,300 | $50,200 | $62,000 | 77% | 24% |
| Rural Area with High Urban Influence | $38,900 | $48,100 | $56,500 | $69,900 | 80% | 24% |
| Independent Urban Community | $30,700 | $34,600 | $38,300 | $48,100 | 57% | 26% |
| Satellite Urban Community | $31,400 | $36,000 | $40,600 | $52,600 | 68% | 30% |
| Main Urban Area | $38,700 | $45,500 | $51,600 | $63,500 | 64% | 23% |
| New Zealand | $36,800 | $43,300 | $49,300 | $60,700 | 65% | 23% |
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Rural-Urban Household Income
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