Statistics obtained in 1956 indicate that of the total poultry population approximately 60 per cent of the birds were in the North Island. The Auckland province has the highest poultry population in the country, about 37 per cent, the largest concentration being in the vicinity of the City of Auckland. Canterbury province, with many flocks around Christchurch, ranks second with nearly 20 per cent. Other popular areas for poultry are the Tauranga district, Gisborne, Hastings, Wanganui, Levin, Nelson, Timaru, Oamaru, Taieri, and Invercargill. The largest commercial poultry farmers have flocks of 8,000 or 10,000 birds – the minimum-size flock considered economical for egg production being 2,000 birds.