FAQ about Māori Population

New Zealand’s 2023 National Census reported that there were 978,246 people of Māori descent and that 887,493 people belonged to the Māori ethnic group.

There were 170,057 Australians identifying as Māori in the 2021 Australian National Census.

New Zealand’s total population is estimated to have reached 5 million in May 2020.

Estimates suggest that up to 100,000 Māori were living in New Zealand in 1769. At that time there was no other ethnic group in residence.

In 1896 there were only 42,113 people of predominantly Māori descent.

Yes, the Māori population is increasing and at a faster rate than the European (i.e., those of European descent only) population of New Zealand.

StatsNZ The Statistics New Zealand (formerly Department of Statistics) website is frequently updated, but still is very difficult to navigate.

Te Whata is a site run by Māori iwi (tribal groups) that contains details on iwi statistics.

NZ’s most respected demographers include the late Ian Pool and Tahu Kukutai both from the University of Waikato.

For further details on the number of Māori speakers from previous census data see Peter J Keegan’s GitHub pages

Notes

NZ’s National Census is undertaken every 5 years. The census due in March 2011 was postponed until March 2013 due to the large after-shock (i.e., earthquake) in Christchurch in February 2011 which badly damaged many downtown buildings and severely disrupted Statistics NZ’s Christchurch staff.

The 2018 National Census was undertaken, for the 1st time mostly online, on Tuesday 6 March 2018. Regrettably, there was low Māori participation in that census.

The 2023 National Census was undertaken on 7 March 2023 but remained open until 20 June 2023. Data will be released in late 2024/early 2025.

Notes

  • NZ’s National Census is undertaken every 5 years. The census due in March 2011 was postponed until March 2013 due to the large after-shock (i.e., earthquake) in Christchurch in February 2011 which badly damaged many downtown buildings and severely disrupted Statistics NZ’s Christchurch staff.
  • The 2018 National Census was undertaken, for the 1st time mostly online, on Tuesday 6 March 2018. Regrettably, there was low Māori participation in that census.
  • The 2023 National Census was undertaken on 7 March 2023 but remained open until 20 June 2023. Data are being released in late 2024/early 2025.