| 2001 | |
|---|---|
| Auckland | 173,373 |
| Canterbury | 94,968 |
| Waikato | 73,494 |
| Wellington | 64,023 |
| Bay of Plenty | 48,708 |
| Manawatu-Wanganui | 47,169 |
| Otago | 34,722 |
| Hawke's Bay | 31,128 |
| Northland | 29,544 |
| Taranaki | 23,946 |
| Southland | 23,052 |
| Gisborne District | 9,483 |
| Marlborough District | 8,535 |
| Tasman District | 8,175 |
| Nelson City | 7,974 |
| West Coast | 7,779 |