The Demographics                                                                                                              
Northland is located at the very top of the North Island and covers 12,507.89 km2 (4,829.32 sq ml). It has an estimated population of 201,500 as of June 2022, with a population density of 16 people per km2.  It is the birth place of New Zealand's

Zealand's Treaty between Māori and Pākehā.

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Ethnicities were 73.1% European/Pākehā, 36.0% Māori, 4.2% Pacific peoples, 3.9% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

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Māori refer to Northland – and by extension its Māori people – as Te Taitokerau (the northern tide) and Māori language and traditions are strong there. Major tribal groups include Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kurī and Ngāti Whātua. Several of these tribes form a loose association known as the Muriwhenua.

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The Economy

​The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Northland was estimated at NZ$7.86 mllion in the year to March 2019, 2.6% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita was estimated at $42,104 in 2019. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $984 million (13.1%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $1.59 million (21.2%), service industries contributed $4.30 million (57.1%), and taxes and duties contributed $645 million (8.6%)

The region's economy is based on agriculture (notably beef cattle and sheep), fishing, forestry, and horticulture. Northland has 4,423 hectares (10,930 acres) of horticultural land as of 2017. Significant crops include avocadoes, kumara, kiwifruit, 

citrus fruit and olives.

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Extensive forests are a feature of the Northland landscape. For this reason wood and paper manufacturing industries also make a large contribution to the region's economy. The railway system, which once ran as far north as Donnellys Crossing, has been historically important for the transport of timber via Dargaville to Auckland.

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Northland is a favourite tourist destination, especially to the Bay of Islands and the historic town of Kerikeri. Diving and fishing are also popular visitor activities, especially around the Bay of Islands and the Poor Knights Islands.

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Northland is home to New Zealand's only oil refinery, located in Marsden Point, a town, close to Whangārei across the harbour. New Zealand's natural fuel resources in Taranaki account for a little under half of the refinery's intake, with the rest coming predominantly from the Middle East. The nearby Marsden A thermal power station originally utilised heavy oil from the refinery for electricity production, but no longer does so.  ​For more information regarding the economies metrics click the button below.

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​​History

Northland is often called the nation’s birthplace. It was one of the first landing places for voyaging canoes from Polynesia, and an early area of European settlement. The first mission stations were established there. On 6 February 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi (named for the site in the Bay of Islands) was first signed by Māori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown, enabling two peoples to form a new nation.
 

The region is rich in historic and archaeological sites. They include massive pā sites such as Pouērua near Kaikohe, and New Zealand’s oldest European buildings, at Kerikeri. Distinctive to the region are the many small white churches, whose graveyards sometimes contain carved wooden headboards.  To learn more of Northland's fascinating history go to TEARA.  

Climate
Known as the winterless North, the region's low elevation and close proximity to the sea is characterised results in a mild, humid, and rather windy climate. Summers are warm and tend to be humid, while winters are mild, with many parts of the region having only a few light frosts each year.  For more information on Northland's climate follow this link. 

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Regional and local governance
Northland has a Regional Council, and three district Councils, namely, Kaipara District Council, Whangarei District Council and the Far North District Council.  All Councils support the mission and work of Northland Inc. ​

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Useful Links

Follow this link to learn about how to set up operations in NZ, raise capital and achieve an investor visa.

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