List of functional urban areas in New Zealand

This is a list of functional urban areas in New Zealand, as defined by Statistics New Zealand.

Under the Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023 and Statistical standard for geographic areas 2018, a functional urban area an urban area, rural settlement or rural statistical area where there is a major, large medium or small urban core with more than 5,000 residents. They may also have urban cores, satellite urban areas, rural settlements and rural hinterland ares where at least 40% of workers commute to the urban core or associated secondary urban core for work.^[1]^[2] Functional urban areas are based on linkages between where people live and where they work, shop, access health care, and take part in recreation activities.^[2]

As of 2023, there are 53 functional urban areas in New Zealand.^[3]

Metropolitan areas

Auckland (1,547,619) – Auckland, Hibiscus Coast, Pukekohe, Beachlands-Pine Harbour, Clarks Beach, Helensville, Kumeu-Huapai, Maraetai, Muriwai, Parakai, Patumāhoe, Pōkeno, Riverhead, Tuakau, Waimauku, Waiuku
Christchurch (470,814) – Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Rolleston, Diamond Harbour, Leeston, Lincoln, Lyttelton, Pegasus, Prebbleton, West Melton, Woodend
Wellington (414,033) – Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Featherston, Greytown
Hamilton (198,957) – Hamilton, Ngāruawāhia
Tauranga (156,096) – Tauranga, Ōmokoroa
Dunedin (125,007) – Dunedin, Mosgiel, Brighton, Waikouaiti

Large regional centres

Palmerston North (92,004) – Palmerston North, Ashhurst
Whangārei (84,117) – Whangārei, Hikurangi, Ngunguru, One Tree Point, Ruakākā
Nelson (79,998) – Nelson, Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Māpua, Wakefield
New Plymouth (79,074) – New Plymouth, Inglewood, Ōakura, Waitara
Hastings (75,255) – Hastings, Havelock North, Clive
Rotorua (67,179) – Rotorua, Ngongotahā
Napier (64,767)
Invercargill (54,084)
Kāpiti Coast (46,683) – Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Paekākāriki
Whanganui (44,403)
Gisborne (39,447)

Medium regional centres

Timaru (38,559) – Timaru, Pleasant Point, Temuka
Masterton (32,043) – Masterton, Carterton
Blenheim (30,099)
Taupō (28,068)
Levin (25,803) – Levin, Shannon
Queenstown (24,693) – Queenstown, Arrowtown, Arthurs Point, Lake Hayes
Whakatāne (21,828) – Whakatāne, Ōhope
Ashburton (21,672)
Cambridge (21,261)
Te Awamutu (19,677) – Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Pirongia
Feilding (17,727)
Oamaru (15,255)
Tokoroa (13,710)
Wānaka (12,633) – Wānaka, Lake Hāwea
Greymouth (11,604) – Greymouth, Runanga

Small regional centres (Population 5000+)

Warkworth (14,037) – Warkworth, Snells Beach
Kerikeri (12,699)
Kaitaia (12,291)
Hāwera (11,718)
Gore (10,053) – Gore, Mataura
Te Puke (9,918)
Motueka (9,501)
Thames (9,288)
Morrinsville (9,195)
Alexandra (8,526) – Alexandra, Clyde
Huntly (8,052)
Matamata (8,019)
Kawerau (7,419)
Cromwell (7,305)
Stratford (7,023)
Ōtaki (6,984) – Ōtaki, Ōtaki Beach
Dannevirke (6,360)
Marton (5,676)
Whitianga (5,622)
Katikati (5,442)
Waihi (5,403)

References

^ "Functional urban areas – methodology and classification". Stats NZ. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023" (PDF). statsnz.govt.nz. Statistics New Zealand.
^ "Functional Urban Area 2023 (generalised)". Stats NZ. Retrieved 23 February 2023.

[Functional_Urban_Areas-1] "Functional urban areas – methodology and classification". Stats NZ. Retrieved 23 February 2023.

[Statistical_standard_for_geographic_areas_2023-2] "Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023" (PDF). statsnz.govt.nz. Statistics New Zealand.

[Functional_Urban_Areas_Map-3] "Functional Urban Area 2023 (generalised)". Stats NZ. Retrieved 23 February 2023.

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