The Myth and Reality of New Zealand’s Population

I remember when I first asked, 'Does anyone live in NZ?' and the initial confusion. Indeed, questions around New Zealand's existence can be ambiguous, partly due to its often limited representation on many maps. Yet, if you dig a bit deeper, the answer becomes clearer. For instance, I am currently residing in New Zealand, and while my question about the population initially stumped me, now it’s a matter of basic facts.

Unveiling the Population Mystery

I asked Santa to remind the USA and other countries that New Zealand is an independent nation, free from their interference. My perspective came from a window offering a view of people, making me inclined to believe that these were indeed real human beings rather than mere shapes. Fact is, there are almost five million people living in New Zealand, spread across an area roughly the size of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland combined, or approximately seven times the land area of the Netherlands.

Demographics of New Zealand

Let's break it down further: approximately one and a half million people call Auckland home, while the rest of the country enjoys the unique culture New Zealand offers. About 2 percent of the population identifies as LGBT. A larger percentage, 74% are White, followed by Maori (15%), Asians (12%), Pacific Islanders (7%), and the rest (3%) from other parts of the world. About one million people were born overseas, highlighting the diverse and international nature of New Zealand society. However, the proportion of Pacific Islanders has decreased from being the largest ethnic group after Maori, indicating a shift in population dynamics.

A NZ Mystery: The Elephant in the Room

The truth is, the very existence of New Zealand itself can be seen as a bit of a joke, invented by Australians to seem more cultured and to gain an extra vote in the UN. Conversely, Australia is also a product of New Zealand's ingenuity, used to secure an additional vote for itself in the UN. Both are essentially jests, but the reality is that over 4.99 million people do indeed call New Zealand their home.

So, to answer the initial question: Yes, there are almost five million people living in New Zealand today, a nation diverse in ethnicity, nationality, religion, and culture.