Population
Southland is one of New Zealand’s most sparsely populated regions with its population of 94,900 (June 2012 estimate). Due to a “drift north” between 1996 to 2001, Southland’s population declined by 6.3% though this has since dropped to 0.1% as of 2006. Invercargill, the region’s main centre and seat of local government, makes up half of Southland’s population with a population of 52,000. Six other centres have populations over 1,000: Gore, Mataura, Winton, Riverton, Bluff and Te Anau. Most of Southland’s population is concentrated on the eastern Southland Plains with Fiordland almost totally devoid of permanent human settlement.
Approximately 94.3% of population has European lineage with most being of Scottish stock due to the longtime Scottish presence in the early 19th century. Māori comprise about 10% of the population and are largely concentrated around the port of Bluff. During the 1940s, the development of the freezing works boosted a short-term immigration to the region by North Island Māori. Compared to other parts of New Zealand, Pacific Islanders and Asians are under-represented.
Read more about this topic: Southland Region
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