November 15th, 2024

Many faces of Aotearoa: unraveling New Zealand's ethnic composition through census data

The 2018 Census data offers insights into more than 160 ethnic groups, each with over 100 residents in the country.
The 2018 Census data offers insights into more than 160 ethnic groups, each with over 100 residents in the country.

In the land of the long white cloud, a vibrant array of ethnicities come together to create a unique and colourful cultural mosaic. The 2018 Census data reveals the rich tapestry of over 160 ethnic groups that call New Zealand home, showcasing the nation's diverse heritage and providing an opportunity to delve deeper into the distinctive characteristics of its population.

The 2018 Census data offers insights into more than 160 ethnic groups, each with over 100 residents in the country. This comprehensive information allows for a better understanding of the various ethnicities that make up New Zealand's population.

Six major ethnic groups dominate New Zealand's demographic landscape: European, Māori, Pacific peoples, Asian, MELAA (Middle Eastern / Latin American / African), and ‘Other ethnicity’. The 2018 Census data reveals that 70,332 people in New Zealand identify with at least one MELAA ethnicity, constituting 1.5% of the total population. This is an increase from 1.2% in the 2013 Census.

Delving deeper into the MELAA group, Middle Eastern remains the largest subgroup, with 27,990 people in 2018, while the African subgroup is the smallest, with 16,890 people. The Latin American subgroup, however, has experienced the most rapid growth, more than tripling in size from 6,654 in 2006 to 25,731 people in 2018.

The MELAA population demonstrates notable differences in age composition when compared to New Zealand's total population. With a median age of 30.1 years, MELAA closely resembles the Asian median age (31.3 years). In contrast, MELAA's median age is higher than that of Māori (25.4 years) and Pacific peoples (23.4 years) but lower than the European (41.4 years) and ‘Other ethnicity’ (39.9 years) groups.

Regionally, the highest proportion of MELAA individuals reside in the Auckland region (51.0%), followed by Wellington (13.5%) and Canterbury (10.4%). The Waikato and Otago regions are also among the top places where MELAA ethnic groups live.

This fascinating snapshot of New Zealand's diverse population serves as a reminder that the nation's strength lies in its ability to embrace, celebrate, and learn from the myriad of cultures that call it home. As we continue to explore and understand our cultural heritage, we further enrich the vibrant tapestry that is Aotearoa New Zealand.