1861 New Zealand census

Last updated

Third census of
the Colony of New Zealand

  1858 16 December 1861;162 years ago (1861-12-16) 1864  

General information
CountryNew Zealand
Results
Total population101,915 [1] (Increase2.svg66%)
Most populous provincial district Otago (27,163)
Least populous provincial district Southland (1,820)

The 1861 New Zealand census was a national census of Europeans and "half-castes", taken on 16 December 1861.

Contents

The European population in 1851 was 26,707 people, and by 1858 this had increased by 121% to 59,254 people. The census in December 1861 counted 98,915 Europeans and "half-castes", which equalled an increase of 281% over the previous 10 years since the 1851 census. Adding an estimated 3000 gold diggers in the Otago gold fields gave a total of 101,915 people. 7294 military men and their families stationed in New Zealand were not included in the census. It was estimated that there were also 100 Europeans on Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. [2] The census showed that there were 2,760,163 sheep in the country. [3]

Māori were not counted in the census, but it was estimated that the Maori population numbered around 55,336, almost all in the North Island. [4] Reports about Māori settlements around New Zealand were sent to the government by Native Officers in 1861. These list names of leaders, their political affiliations and some population information. [5]

The Otago gold rush which began in mid-1861 skewed some figures. One newspaper report stated: "By the census lately taken on the gold fields by the police, it appears that the number of names collected was 11,435. The Sub-Enumerators consider that there were about 4,000 they were not able to collect owing to the diggers rushing about. This makes the population in all, 15,435." [6] In Wellington Province the population had only increased by 7% since 1858, and there were 414 fewer men aged between 21 and 40 than at the previous census in 1858. This was stated to be mainly due to the absence of men who had gone to the goldfields in Otago. There were more married women than married men in Wellington, and overall a higher proportion of women than was expected. [7]

Taranaki was the only area which had a decrease in population, due to war there. [8]

European population changes since 1858 census

Region1861 PopulationPopulation change since 1858 [2]
Auckland 24,420+34.3%
Taranaki 2,044-22.9%
Hawke's Bay 2,611+14.6%
Wellington 12,566
Nelson 9,952+32.1%
Marlborough 2,299
Canterbury 16,040+78.8%
Otago 27,163+317.3%
Southland 1,820

Birthplaces of the European population in 1861

Country [4] PopulationPercent (%)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg New Zealand-born27,60427.86
Flag of England.svg England 36,12836.49
Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 15,58415.69
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland 8,8318.92
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales 4720.48
Australian Colonial Flag.svg Australian colonies2,5792.61
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Other British dominions1,8481.87
Flag of the United States (1861-1863).svg United States of America7200.73
Flag of the German Confederation (war).svg  Germany 7800.78
Flag of France.svg France 3190.32
Other foreign countries, at sea, not specified4,2064.25
Total New Zealand99,021100.0

Religious denominations of the European population in 1861

Demonination [4] Percent (%)
Church of England44.89
Church of Scotland; Free Church of Scotland; and Other Presbyterians21.41
Roman Catholic Church10.98
Wesleyan Methodists7.75
Congregational Independents2.09
Baptists1.98
Primitive Methodists0.73
Lutherans0.68
Hebrews0.32
Society of Friends0.07
Protestants4.09
Other, or not stated5.01

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of New Zealand</span>

The demographics of New Zealand encompass the gender, ethnic, religious, geographic, and economic backgrounds of the 5.2 million people living in New Zealand. New Zealanders predominantly live in urban areas on the North Island. The five largest cities are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Tauranga. Few New Zealanders live on New Zealand's smaller islands. Waiheke Island is easily the most populated smaller island with 9,420 residents, while Great Barrier Island, the Chatham and Pitt Islands, and Stewart Island each have populations below 1,000. New Zealand is part of a realm and most people born in the realm's external territories of Tokelau, the Ross Dependency, the Cook Islands and Niue are entitled to New Zealand passports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Island</span> One of the two main New Zealand islands

The South Island, also named Te Waipounamu in Māori, is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, and to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean. The South Island covers 150,437 square kilometres (58,084 sq mi), making it the world's 12th-largest island, constituting 56% of New Zealand's land area. At low altitude, it has an oceanic climate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyttelton, New Zealand</span> Settlement in Christchurch, New Zealand

Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō, at the northwestern end of Banks Peninsula and close to Christchurch, on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otakou</span> Place in Otago, New Zealand

Otakou is a settlement within the boundaries of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. It is located 25 kilometres from the city centre at the eastern end of Otago Peninsula, close to the entrance of Otago Harbour. Though a small fishing village, Otakou is important in the history of Otago for several reasons. The settlement is the modern centre and traditional home of the Ōtākou rūnanga (assembly) of Ngāi Tahu. In 1946 Otakou Fisheries was founded in the township; this was later to become a major part of the Otago fishing industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cromwell Gorge</span> River gorge in New Zealand

The Cromwell Gorge is a steep gorge cut by the former Clutha River in the Central Otago region of New Zealand's South Island. It winds 19 km (12 mi) between the Dunstan and Cairnmuir Mountains, linking the townships of Cromwell and Clyde. It is one of three substantial river gorges in Central Otago, the others being the Kawarau Gorge to the west of Cromwell, and the Roxburgh Gorge south of Alexandra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otago Gold Rush</span> 1860s gold rush in Central Otago, New Zealand

The Otago Gold Rush was a gold rush that occurred during the 1860s in Central Otago, New Zealand. This was the country's biggest gold strike, and led to a rapid influx of foreign miners to the area – many of them veterans of other hunts for the precious metal in California and Victoria, Australia. The number of miners reached its maximum of 18,000 in February 1864.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palmerston, New Zealand</span> Town in Otago, New Zealand

Palmerston is a town in the South Island of New Zealand. Located 50 kilometres to the north of the city of Dunedin, it is the largest town in the Waihemo Ward of the Waitaki District, with a population of 890 residents. Palmerston grew at a major road junction: State Highway 1 links Dunedin and Waikouaiti to the south with Oamaru and Christchurch to the north, while State Highway 85 heads inland to become the principal highway of the Maniototo. The Main South Line railway passes through the town and the Seasider tourist train travels from Dunedin to Palmerston and back once or twice a week. From 1880 until 1989, the town acted as the junction between the main line and a branch line that ran inland, the Dunback and Makareao Branches.

The following lists events that happened during 1901 in New Zealand.

The Otago region of New Zealand is one of the more isolated places of the inhabited earth. Its high latitude, elevation and distance from larger foreign and domestic population centres have defined Otago at each stage of its history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Island nationalism</span> Independence movement in New Zealand

South Island nationalism refers to a nationalist movement in the South Island of New Zealand.

The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 authorised the General Assembly to establish new electoral districts and to alter the boundaries of, or abolish, existing districts whenever this was deemed necessary. The rapid growth of New Zealand's European population in the early years of representative government meant changes to electoral districts were implemented frequently, both at general elections, and on four occasions as supplementary elections within the lifetime of a parliament.

The Bruce by-election 1862 was a by-election held in the multi-member Bruce electorate during the 3rd New Zealand Parliament, on 31 July 1862. The by-election was caused by the death of incumbent MP Charles Kettle on 5 June, and was won by Edward Cargill.

The 1874 New Zealand census was a population count taken in 1874. The population of New Zealand was 299,514, not including Māori. Census papers were delivered to households during February 1874, to be completed for the night of 1 March 1874. The census asked questions about people's age, sex, marital status, religion, place of birth, health and education. Additional questions were asked about land use and ownership and about farm animals and equipment.

The 1878 New Zealand census was the first held in four years. The non-Māori population of New Zealand was 414,412.

The 1867 New Zealand census was held on 19 December 1867. Māori were not enumerated. The total population of people of non-Māori descent, including those from non-European countries such as China, was 218,668, plus 1,455 military men and their families. Across the country there was an average of 20.6% more men than women, down from almost 24% in 1864. This difference was most marked in Nelson Province, which had almost 38% more men than women. In Auckland Province there was only a 12% "excess" of men. Part of the discrepancy was acknowledged to be an influx of (male) miners to the gold fields. 97% of Chinese in New Zealand in 1867 lived in Otago Province, and around 18% of miners on the Otago goldfields were Chinese.

The 1916 New Zealand census was the sixteenth national population census. The day used for the census was Sunday, 15 October 1916. The census of the Dominion of New Zealand revealed a total population of 1,149,225 – an overall increase of 90,981 or 8.59% over the 1911 census figure.

The 1911 New Zealand census was New Zealand's fifteenth national census. The day used for the census was Sunday, 2 April 1911.

The 1858 New Zealandcensus was held on 24 December 1858. This was the first national census held since 1851, and the first census after the passing of the 1858 Census Act, which stated that a census of Europeans was to be held every three years. Enumerators delivered forms to households during December, then collected them on 26 December or as soon as possible after that date. The European population of New Zealand more than doubled during the seven years between the 1851 and 1858 censuses. The census asked questions about the "social and domestic condition" of the population: place of birth, years in the colony, marital status, religion, occupation, and so on. There were also questions about education and literacy, and questions about how much land was cultivated or fenced, crops and livestock. Information was also gathered about public amenities such as churches, hospitals, banks and businesses.

The 1864 New Zealand census of people of European descent was held on 1 December 1864. The census contained questions about people's health, religion, occupation, education and literacy, and marital status. There were also questions about the size and construction materials of dwellings, land fenced and cultivated and livestock.

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. The non-Māori population was 489,933, an 18.22% increase since the previous census in 1878. The Māori population was estimated to be 44,097. 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.

References

  1. Europeans and half-castes only
  2. 1 2 "Abstracts and Summary Tables of Results of the Census of New Zealand, taken on the 16th of December, 1861". Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives. Session I, D 9: 4. 19 June 1862 via Papers Past.
  3. "The Census". Wellington Independent. 11 July 1862. p. 4 via Papers Past.
  4. 1 2 3 "STATISTICS OF NEW ZEALAND FOR 1861". www3.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  5. "Reports on the State of the Natives in Various Districts, at the time of the Arrival of Sir George Grey". Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives. Session I, E 7. 1862 via Papers Past.
  6. "Population on the gold fields". Wellington Independent. 10 January 1862. p. 3 via Papers Past.
  7. "Provincial Council". New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian. 26 April 1862. p. 3 via Papers Past.
  8. "The Census". Lyttelton Times. 16 July 1862. p. 4 via Papers Past.