1891 New Zealand census

May 2025 May 2025 Eleventh census of the Colony of New Zealand 1886 1886 New Zealand census yes 1891 04 05 1896 1896 New Zealand census New Zealand 626,658Non-Māori people 8.33 % provincial district Otago (153,097) Marlborough (12,767) .... The 1891 New Zealand census was a population census of the non-Māori population taken on 5 April 1891.5 April 1891 Results of a Census of the Colony of New Zealand https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html A separate census of Māori was taken in February 1891.17 February 1891 Maori Census https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC18910217.2.7 Colonist The population (excluding Māori but including Chinese and "half-castes" living as Europeans) was 626,658, an 8.33% increase since the previous census in 1886.5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 6. Increase of population https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e1006 Statistics New Zealand The Māori population was estimated to be 41,993, which included 2681 part-Māori living in tribes and 40 Moriori at the Chatham Islands.5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Appendix C: Maori Population https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e396114 Statistics New Zealand Another 2,184 part-Māori were living as Europeans and counted in the main census.5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Appendix C. Maori population: Table 1 https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e396114 Statistics New Zealand Process The 1891 New Zealand census took place on 5 April 1891, the same day as the censuses in the United Kingdom, other colonies and India. This was the first time that a census had been taken at the same time "over the whole of the British world".4 February 1891 [untitled] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18910204.2.7 Otago Daily Times 2 An Act of Parliament authorised the taking of a census in New Zealand, and the government divided the whole country into 23 districts of approximately equal size. Enumerators in each district divided their district into sub-districts and appointed around 660 sub-enumerators who were familiar with their local areas.25 February 1891 The Census https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18910225.2.16 Ashburton Guardian The questions on the census form had been approved at a conference of statisticians in Hobart, Australia in 1890. Separate summaries and tables were created to show the operations of churches, land, institutions and industries. Electric tabulators had been used in a recent census in the United States, but the New Zealand government chose not to use the new invention until it had been extensively tested. Instead, a system of cards was used to compile and sort census data.10 March 1891 [untitled] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OAM18910310.2.13 Oamaru Mail 2 The completed census for both Māori and non-Māori was submitted to Parliament on 5 December 1892. Non-Māori population Provincial DistrictPopulation5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 7. Population – Summary at successive census periods https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e1815 Statistics New ZealandPercent (%) change since 18865 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 9. Centesimal increase or dimunition of population in each provincial district at successive census periods. https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e1815 Statistics New ZealandLargest borough in each district5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 18. Population and dwellings in boroughs https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e36407 Statistics New ZealandBorough populationBorough and suburbs population5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 19: Population of wards in boroughs https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e36407 Statistics New ZealandAuckland133,259 + 2.13 %Auckland28,61351,287Taranaki22,065 + 22.59 %New Plymouth3,350Wellington97,725 + 26.04 %Wellington31,02133,324Hawke's Bay28,506 +16.03 %Napier8,341Marlborough12,767 + 14.88 %Blenheim3,294Nelson34,770 + 15.12 %Nelson6,626Westland15,887 – 0.28 %Greymouth3,787Canterbury128,392 + 5.76 %Christchurch16,22347,846Otago153,097 + 2.64 %Dunedin22,37645,869Chatham Islands271 +36.18 %Kermadec Islands19Total626,658+ 8.33 % Birthplaces of the non-Māori population 'British allegiance' included everyone born in British possessions, naturalized British subjects and British subjects born abroad. Those who were born at sea or who had not specified a birthplace were deemed British if they had a British-sounding name.5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 28: Allegiance https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e91522 Statistics New Zealand Westland had the most foreign subjects (9.57%), and Marlborough had the fewest (0.99%). There were 4,470 people born in China, of whom only 24 were female. This was a decrease of 1.76% from the 4,550 Chinese-born people counted in 1886.5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 30. Numbers of each nationality, with comparison, 1886 and 1891. https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e91522 Statistics New Zealand 2,157 (48%) of Chinese people lived in Otago, with smaller populations in Westland (1,008), Nelson (601), Wellington (321), Auckland (170) and Canterbury (144).5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 31. Summary by provincial districts https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e91522 Statistics New Zealand Half of the Scottish-born population lived in Otago. 45.2% of Scandinavians (from Denmark, Sweden and Norway) lived in Wellington Province, and another 24.86% lived in Hawke's Bay. BirthplaceNumberPercent (%) of populationBritish possessions:New Zealand366,71658.61Australian colonies15,9432.55England117,07018.71Wales2,2140.35Scotland51,9168.3Ireland47,6347.61Other British possessions3,7030.59Foreign countries:Germany4,6630.75Denmark and possessions2,0530.33Sweden1,4140.23Norway1,2880.21France and possessions7110.11Austria5640.09Italy3970.06Switzerland3620.06Russia and possessions3200.05Portugal and possessions2050.03Holland and possessions1430.02Poland990.02Greece940.02Belgium1150.02Spain and possessions760.01Other European countries340.01China4,4700.71America, North America (as stated)1,0160.16United States of America6670.11Africa1830.03Other foreign countries2760.04At sea1,2950.21Unspecified1,017Total626,658100Allegiance:British subjects612,06497.67Foreign subjects14,5942.33Total626,658100 Occupations The non-Māori census asked what occupations the population followed, with categories changed somewhat from the previous census. The most common occupations for men were those related to farming, market gardening and labouring on farms, fishing and mining (87,860). The most common occupations for women were domestic roles (19,391), and dressmaking and millinery (10,739). 1,402 girls aged between 5 and 15 years old were in paid domestic work.5 December 1892 1891 New Zealand Census: Chapter 70. Occupations —Classes --Proportions per cent https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e284464 Statistics New Zealand There were 1,644 male teachers and 2,617 female teachers, plus 524 governesses and tutors.5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 79. Occupations – Alphabetical arrangement https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e336755 Statistics New Zealand Five male and three female phrenologists and a handful of medical electricians and galvanists were working in New Zealand. Most Chinese were involved in gold mining, with the next most common occupation being market gardening.5 December 1892 Census of New Zealand 1891: Chapter 80. Occupations of the Chinese https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1891-census/1891-results-census/1891-results-census.html#d50e344352 Statistics New Zealand Sixty percent of the population was described as "dependents". This category included wives and widows without an occupation; children at home or in orphanages or industrial schools; visitors; parents depending on adult children; patients in hospitals and asylums; and prisoners.12 December 1892 Occupations of the people https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18921212.2.13 The Press ClassOrderOccupationsTotalMalesFemalesI. Professional1Persons engaged in Government (not otherwise classed), defence, law, and protection3,0473,027202Persons ministering to religion, charity, health, science, education, and art12,7747,0555,719II. Domestic3Persons engaged in the supply of board and lodging, and in rendering personal service for which remuneration is usually paid24,9285,53719,391III. Commercial (not including manufacturers, who are included in class IV)4Persons performing offices in connection with the exchange, variation, insurance, lease, loan, or custody of money, houses, land, or property rights3,7563,4143425Persons dealing in art or mechanic productions in which matters of various kinds are employed in combination1,5041,3211836Persons engaged in the sale, hire, or exchange of textile fabrics and dress and of fibrous materials3,1442,6345107Persons engaged in dealing in food, drinks, narcotics, and stimulants7,0356,4785578Persons engaged in dealing in and treating animals, and dealing in animal and vegetable substances (excluding dealers in food)1,2871,28259Persons engaged in dealing in minerals and other materials mainly used for fuel and light397391610Persons engaged in dealing in minerals other than for fuel846838811Persons engaged as general dealers, or in undefined mercantile pursuits8,7797,6691,11012Persons engaged in storage1,0351,034113Persons engaged in the transport of passengers, goods, or communications15,41315,269144IV. Industrial14Persons engaged in connection with the manufacture or other processes relating to, art and mechanic productions in which materials of various kinds are employed in combination9,6729,37929315Persons engaged in connection with the manufacture, repairs, cleansing, or in other processes relating to textile fabrics, dress and fibrous materials19,4378,69810,73916Persons engaged in connection with the manufacture of, or in other processes relating to, food, drink, narcotics, and stimulants4,4534,29915417Persons (not otherwise classed) engaged in manufacture or other processes connected with animal and vegetable substances3,5633,5234018Persons engaged in the alteration, modification, manufacture, or other processes relating to, metals or mineral matters5,7685,7422619Persons engaged in the making or repairing of buildings, roads, railways, docks, earthworks, etc., in the disposal of silt, dead matter, or refuse, or in mechanical operations or labour the nature of which is undefined12,67912,6671220Industrial workers imperfectly defined14,94914,88861V. Agricultural, pastoral, mineral, and other primary producers21Persons directly engaged in the cultivation of land, or in rearing or breeding animals, or in obtaining raw products from natural sources90,54687,8602,686VI. Indefinite occupations22Persons whose occupations are undefined or unknown, embracing those who derive incomes from sources which cannot be directly related to any other class7,7514,3413,410VII. Dependents23Persons dependent upon natural guardians [includes children]369,178122,410246,76824Persons dependent upon the State, or upon public or private support4,7173,1211,596Total population626,658332,877293,781 Māori census The Māori census was held during February 1891. The total Māori population, not including part-Māori living as Europeans, was estimated to be 41,993. This was almost the same population as shown by the previous census in 1886. Almost all Māori lived in the North Island. Māori census information was collected by officials who visited each settlement and spoke to the people there, rather than having them fill in forms.18 February 1891 Local and general news: Maori population https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MEX18910218.2.8 Marlborough Express The Māori population was very mobile, which led to difficulties making accurate counts. For example, a large number of the usual residents of Rotorua were away from home working on a railway contract at census time,9 February 1891 News from Rotorua https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18910209.2.44 New Zealand Herald and in Northland there were about 150 people from other areas who had arrived to dig gum for a short time.Bishop H. W. 14 May 1891 Census of the Maori Population (Papers relating to) https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1891/II/2259 Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives 1891 Session II G 02 2 In some locations, Māori refused to give information to the enumerator.16 May 1891 Maori Census https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DTN18910516.2.23.5 Daily Telegraph (Napier) From Otorohanga, Native Agent George Wilkinson wrote:[...] the work of taking the Maori census through parts of my district has again been a difficult one, principally caused, as usual, by the King Natives or supporters of Tawhiao, wherever they were situated—with here and there an exception—refusing to give any particulars or information whatsoever to the sub-enumerators either as regards themselves, their cultivations, or their live stock. The returns so far as they are concerned have been obtained with great difficulty, and in some few cases are conjectural; but, in the case of Kingite settlements, I took the precaution to select as subenumerators either Natives, half-castes, or Europeans who were best qualified to get all the information obtainable.Wilkinson G. T. 16 May 1891 Census of the Maori Population (Papers relating to) https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1891/II/2259 Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives 1891 Session II, G 02 2As enumerators filed their reports with the government, they commented on the living conditions, local epidemics, housing and farming in Māori communities. In some areas, it was stated that poor living conditions in swampy localities were causing respiratory diseases. There was difficulty counting livestock as many animals were held communally with no clear ownership.Census of the Maori Population (Papers relating to) https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1891-II.2.2.5.5 Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives 1891 Session II, G 02 North Island: by principal tribes188627 June 1887 Census of New Zealand 1886: Chapter 124. Maori population – principal tribes https://www3.stats.govt.nz/historic_publications/1886-census/Results-of-Census-1886/1886-results-census.html#d50e560620 Statistics New ZealandPopulation 1891Arawa3,1843,713Muaupoko9189Ngatiporou3,2873,695Ngatikahungunu5,1755,194Ngaiterangi9921,316Ngapuhi5,5496,314Ngatimaniapoto1,6851,531Ngatimaru1,5801,349Ngatiawa2,0672,027Ngatiraukawa2,1921,599Ngatiruanui1,065835Ngatiwhatua596471Rangitane10598Rarawa2,0342,023Taranaki947609Urewera1,901incorrect OCR in source. 1,901 is correct figure.1,211Waikato4,0003,923Whanau-a-Apanui617696Whakatohea845546Whanganui1,4401,747Unspecified175443Others106Total North Island39,52739,535South Island: by countySounds185208Marlborough8769Kaikoura6269Collingwood2529D'Urville Island3834Waimea95100Buller2933Grey3Westland6886Amuri1Cheviot12Ashley173158Selwyn11842Akaroa197255Geraldine10794Waimate5275Waitaki139152Waikouaiti173155Peninsula5422Taieri4768Clutha3130Maniototo6Lake2Southland73Wallace195199Total South Island1,8641,883Stewart Island151including Ruapuke Island136Chatham Islands159148Chatham Islands: Moriori3640Māori wives living with European husbands201251Grand total41,96941,993 References Category:Censuses in New Zealand Category:1891 in New Zealand