Largest Cities in New Zealand

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

Best New Zealand Cities

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics, 4 topics from climate and air quality data.

Best Climate Cities
Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine and clean air.
Cleanest Air Cities
Lowest pollution levels for healthy outdoor living.
Sunniest Cities
Most days of sunshine per year, with warm and dry climate.
Most Urban Cities
Densely populated city centers with the largest urban footprints.
Population & Density
Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense
Climate & Air
Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Snowiest Cities
Geography & Infrastructure
Highest Elevation Most Restaurants
All Countries  ·  New Zealand

Largest Cities - New Zealand

1 Auckland E7 1,470,100
2 Christchurch E9 383,200
3 Manukau City E7 362,000
4 Wellington G2 216,200
5 North Shore E7 205,605
6 Hamilton G1 176,500
7 Tauranga E8 151,300
8 Lower Hutt G2 110,700
9 Dunedin F7 106,200
10 Palmerston North F3 81,500
11 Napier F2 66,300
12 Porirua G2 59,600
13 Rotorua E8 58,500
14 New Plymouth F9 57,600
15 Papatoetoe E7 54,780
16 Whangarei F6 54,400
17 Nelson F5 51,100
18 Invercargill F8 50,200
19 Hastings F2 49,000
20 Upper Hutt G2 44,300
21 Whanganui F3 42,200
22 Manurewa E7 40,480
23 Gisborne F1 37,000
24 Papakura E7 35,580
25 Paraparaumu G2 30,100
26 Queenstown F7 29,000
27 Timaru E9 28,700
28 Mangere East E7 28,540
29 Blenheim F4 28,200
30 Remuera E7 27,600
31 Avondale E7 26,930
32 Taupo G1 25,400
33 Otara E7 24,420
34 New Lynn E7 23,910
35 Mangere E7 23,790
36 Massey E7 22,210
37 Massey East E7 22,210
38 Rolleston E9 21,900
39 Pukekohe East E7 21,438
40 Masterton G2 21,400
41 Cambridge G1 20,500
42 Wainuiomata G2 20,250
43 Ashburton E9 20,200
44 Epsom E7 20,200
45 Stoke F5 19,850
46 Rangiora E9 19,250
47 Levin F3 18,800
48 Henderson E7 18,770
49 Otahuhu E7 17,780
50 Richmond TAS 17,250
51 Lincoln E7 17,240
52 Te Atatu South E7 17,240
53 Takanini E7 17,060
54 Whakatane E8 16,850
55 Mount Eden E7 15,650
56 Titirangi E7 15,490
57 Karori G2 15,380
58 Hamilton East G1 15,300
59 Te Atatu Peninsula E7 15,200
60 Homai E7 15,000
61 Havelock North F2 14,900
62 Te Aro G2 14,600
63 Mosgiel F7 14,600
64 Blockhouse Bay E7 14,500
65 Tokoroa G1 14,300
66 Oamaru F7 13,700
67 Waikanae G2 13,650
68 Hillsborough E7 13,260
69 Halswell E9 13,200
70 Te Awamutu G1 13,100
71 Taradale F2 12,940
72 Sandringham E7 12,930
73 Onehunga E7 12,910
74 Kaiapoi E9 12,850
75 Orewa E7 12,630
76 Takapuna E7 12,470
77 Whitby G2 12,230
78 Johnsonville G2 12,110
79 West Harbour E7 12,060
80 Howick E7 11,980
81 Wigram E9 11,900
82 Grey Lynn E7 11,880
83 Hokowhitu F3 11,730
84 Riccarton E9 11,650
85 Wanaka F7 11,550
86 Hillcrest E7 11,490
87 Redwoodtown F4 11,210
88 Flaxmere F2 11,142
89 Favona E7 11,110
90 Beach Haven E7 11,000
91 Albany E7 10,850
92 Stokes Valley G2 10,770
93 Browns Bay E7 10,760
94 Parklands E9 10,760
95 Forrest Hill E7 10,750
96 Birkenhead E7 10,720
97 Balmoral E7 10,390
98 Hawera F9 10,300
99 Avonhead E9 10,240
100 Spreydon E9 10,210

The largest cities in New Zealand represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Auckland leads with a population of 1,470,100, followed by Christchurch and Manukau City. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. E7 dominates the top 10 with 3 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Auckland's population is larger than that of several U.S. states.
  • 2. E7 has 3 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
  • 3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 17,250 - larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 2,637,105.

Browse Rankings by Region

New Zealand - By Region

Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury Hawke's Bay Region Manawatu-Wanganui Northland Otago Taranaki Region Waikato Region Wellington Region

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