| 2001 | |
|---|---|
| Auckland | 117 072 |
| Canterbury | 62 883 |
| Waikato | 46 821 |
| Wellington | 44 337 |
| Bay of Plenty | 32 970 |
| Manawatu-Wanganui | 31 674 |
| Otago | 23 640 |
| Hawke's Bay | 21 042 |
| Northland | 19 329 |
| Taranaki | 15 849 |
| Southland | 14 550 |
| Gisborne District | 6 432 |
| Marlborough District | 5 730 |
| Nelson City | 5 622 |
| Tasman District | 5 250 |
| West Coast | 4 842 |