1881 New Zealand census

June 2024June 2024 Ninth census of the Colony of New Zealand 1878 1878 New Zealand census yes 1881 04 03 1886 1886 New Zealand census New Zealand 489,993 Non-Māori people 18.22 % provincial district Otago (134,077) Marlborough (9,300) .... The 1881 New Zealand census was a population count taken in 1881. The non-Māori census was taken on 3 April 1881, and the Māori census took place the following day.8 March 1881 Local and general https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH18810308.2.5 Poverty Bay Herald Papers Past The non-Māori population was 489,933, an 18.22% increase since the previous census in 1878.13 November 1882 Census of New Zealand 1881: Part 1: Population and houses https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1881-census/1881-results-census.html#idsect1_1_502 Statistics New Zealand The Māori population was estimated to be 44,097.13 November 1882 Census of New Zealand 1881: Appendix: Native census https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1881-census/1881-results-census.html#idsect1_1_4130 Statistics New Zealand There were 4995 Chinese men and nine Chinese women in the country, with almost 3,500 of those living in Otago. Over 3800 of the Chinese in New Zealand worked on the gold fields. As well as extensive population data, the census gathered information about fencing, farm equipment, livestock and poultry, and production of butter and cheese. The final results were submitted to parliament on 13 November 1882. Responding to comments about delays completing the census returns, the Registrar-General pointed out that an enormous amount of work was involved. It was difficult to find people to act as enumerators in sparsely populated areas; horses had to be hired; schedules had to be thoroughly checked before being sent to Wellington; and temporary clerks had to be hired and supervised.13 November 1882 Census of New Zealand 1881 https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1881-census/1881-results-census.html#idpreface_1_462 Statistics New Zealand Non-Māori population Provincial District13 November 1882 Census of New Zealand 1881: Chapter 6. Population—Summary at successive census periods https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1881-census/1881-results-census.html#idchapter_1_4388 Statistics New ZealandPopulationPercent (%) change since 1878Largest towns in Provincial DistrictsPopulationAuckland99,451 + 20.31%Auckland16,664Taranaki14,858 + 57.01%New Plymouth3,310Wellington61,371 + 20.17%Wellington20,563Hawke's Bay17,367 + 15.66%Napier5,756Marlborough9,300 + 33.06%Blenheim2,107Nelson26,075 + 3.77%Nelson6,764Westland15,010 −11.35%Hokitika2,600Greymouth2,544Canterbury112,182 + 22.04%Christchurch15,213Otago (as after reunion with Southland)134,077 + 17.13%Dunedin24,372Invercargill4,596Chatham Islands242 + 23.47%Total489,933+ 18.22% Birthplaces of the population Birthplace13 November 1882 Census of New Zealand 1881: Nationalities.—Subdivisions of Groups https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1881-census/1881-results-census.html#idsect1_1_362246 Statistics New ZealandNumberPercent (%) of populationBritish Possessions:New Zealand223,40445.6Australian Colonies17,2773.53England119,22424.33Wales1,9630.4Scotland52,75310.77Ireland49,36310.08British North America1,7220.35Other British Possessions2,2920.47Foreign Countries:France and French Colonies8480.17Germany4,8190.98Austria5130.1Switzerland3320.07Italy4830.1Norway1,2710.26Sweden1,2640.26Denmark2,1990.45Other European Countries9840.2United States of America8410.17China (including 39 non-Chinese)5,0331.03Other Countries1,1900.24At Sea:British Subjects1,2880.26Foreign Subjects370.01Unspecified:8330.17Total489,933100 Māori census The Māori population was estimated as 44,097, with 41,601 of those living in the North Island.13 November 1882 Census of New Zealand 1881: Appendix: Maori Population in the North and South Islands https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1881-census/1881-results-census.html#idsect1_1_573294 Statistics New Zealand Census enumerators faced difficulties getting some Māori to cooperate with completion of the census. Some people were said to suspect that the forms were a government trick to take their land, or part of a plan to kill them.22 April 1881 The difficulty of collecting the Maori census https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH18810422.2.10.2 Poverty Bay Herald Papers Past The nomadic nature of the people also caused some enumeration difficulties, and in some cases estimates had to be made. Although population numbers had gone up since the previous census, officers in many districts noted a general decrease in the number of Māori. This discrepancy was attributed to better enumeration. In particular, there was a continuing drop in the number of children being born.21 May 1881 Maori census https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS18810521.2.6 Hawera and Normanby Star Papers Past This was attributed to introduced diseases and vices such as smoking and drinking, as well as inadequate clothing. Another observation was that since the end of inter-tribal warfare, Māori had shifted their settlements from easy-to-defend hilltops, which had good sun and airflow, to swampy, damp areas.13 December 1882 [untitled] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18821213.2.10 Auckland Star [Evening Star] 2 Papers Past Officers noted that in more remote areas where there was less European influence, there were more healthy children, and also that Māori in European-dominated areas who had jobs and lived in European-style houses tended to be healthier. North Island: Principal TribesPopulationArawa3,938Muaupoko81Ngatiporou4,381Ngatikahungunu4,730Ngaiterangi996Ngapuhi5,564Ngatimaniapoto1,528Ngatimaru1,349Ngatiawa1,869Ngatiraukawa1,443Ngatiruanui769Ngatiwhatua487Rangitane89Rarawa2,775Taranaki460Urewera1,850Waikato5,233Whanau-a-Apanui748Whanganui2,560Whakatohea625Various Tribes at Auckland and Thames126North Island Total41,601South Island (by residence)"* The Natives resident in the South Island cannot well be classified in tribes, the information afforded by the Maori Census returns not being sufficiently explicit."Marlborough357Nelson203Westland63Canterbury601Otago, Ruapuke, and Stewart Island837South Island Total2,061Chatham Islands (Māori and Moriori)125Māori Prisoners from North Island in Hokitika, Lyttelton, and Dunedin Gaols310Grand total44,097 References Category:Censuses in New Zealand Category:1881 in New Zealand New Zealand Category:April 1881 in Oceania