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Story: Canterbury region

Ethnic groups, Canterbury districts, 2013

District Total
population
% European % Māori % Pacific Islanders % Asian
(incl. Indian)
Hurunui 11,529 93.4 7.3 0.8 2.3
Waimakariri 49,989 93.8 7.4 0.8 1.7
Christchurch 341,469 83.9 8.5 3.1 9.4
Selwyn 44,595 91.9 7 1.2 3.2
Ashburton 31,041 88.3 7.3 3.4 3.9

All districts in Canterbury have a predominantly European population, and the percentage of Māori is well below the national figure of 14.7%. Only in Christchurch are there significant proportions of Pacific Islanders and Asians.

Using this item

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Statistics New Zealand

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, Canterbury region – People, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/table-interactive/10762/ethnic-groups-canterbury-districts-2013 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Wilson, published 2 March 2009.