FAQ about Maori Population
Q1. How many Maori people are there?
A1. New Zealand's 2006 National Census reported that 565,329 people belonged to the Maori ethnic group.
643,977 people reported that they were of Maori descent.
There are over 70,000 Maori living in Australia.
New Zealand's total population in 2003 was estimated to be four million.
Q2. How Maori people were living in New Zealand during first European contact?
A2. Estimates suggest that up to 100,000 Maori were living in New Zealand in 1769. At that time there was no other ethnic group in residence.
Q3. When was the Maori population at its lowest number (post European contact)?
A3. In 1896 there were only 42,113 people of predominantly Maori descent.
Q4. Is the Maori population increasing?
A4. Yes, the Maori population is increasing and at a faster rate than the European (i.e. those of European descent only)population of New Zealand.
Q5. Where can I find further details on the Maori population?
A5. StatsNZ
Notes
NZ's National Census is undertaken every 5 years. The last census was undertaken in March 2006. The census due in March 2011 was cancelled due to the large after- shock (i.e. earthquake) in Christchurch in February 2011 which badly damaged many of the downtown buildings. Statistics NZ's Christchurch staff were severely disrupted by this tradegy.
Last modified: 25 April 2011.
This page is Copyright © Peter J Keegan, PhD, 2011.