Living in Northland

About our region

Our environment
Our people
Our districts
Our economy

Want to learn more about the place we call home? Find facts and figures about our environment, people, districts and economy.

More information about Northland's economy, infrastructure, people, culture and environment is also available in the Northland Region Today section of our Community Plan.

Hokianga Harbour.

Our environment

Rich in culture and history, our region boasts a stunning natural environment north of our boundary line that stretches from south-east of Mangawhai across to the Kaipara Harbour and all the way up to New Zealand's northernmost tip, Cape Rēinga.

Northland has a sub-tropical climate, making us the warmest region in New Zealand.  Annual sunshine hours average about 2000 per annum, in many areas, and typical rainfall for the region is 1500 - 2000mm per annum.

Land area:                1.25 million hectares

Highest point:           Te Raupua - 781 metres above sea level

Coastline:                 3200 kilometres in length

Largest lake:             Lake Ōmāpere

Longest river:           Northern Wairoa River

Number of harbours: 15

Find out more about our natural resources:

Our people

Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants.  Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 150,000 people.

Regional population: 148,470

Population by district:

  • Far North: 55,842
  • Kaipara: 18,135
  • Whāngārei: 74,460

Ethnic make-up:

  • European: 93,351
  • Mäori: 43,527
  • Pacific peoples: 3,702
  • Asian: 2,580
  • Middle Eastern/Latin American/African: 348

Source: Statistics New Zealand Census 2006 data

Find out more: www.stats.govt.nz

Our districts

Three diverse districts make up the region of Northland:

  • Far North
  • Kaipara
  • Whāngārei

Map of Northland.
Source: Destination Northland (www.northlandnz.com)

Find out more about each district from their respective district councils:

Far North District Council
www.fndc.govt.nz/FarNorthDistrict

Kaipara District Council
www.kaipara.govt.nz/about

Whāngārei District Council
www.wdc.govt.nz/council/aboutwhangarei

Our economy

Northland has a strong, growing economy based on agriculture, tourism, forestry and wood processing, horticulture, construction and marine engineering.  Emerging industries include the creative sector, mining and aquaculture.

Our region has earned a four-star ('be there or be square') rating in the ASB Bank's 2007 regional economic scoreboard and was named the top-performing region in New Zealand, overall.

Find out more: www.enterprisenorthland.co.nz

 

Top.