Areas where South Canterbury is significantly different from the New Zealand average include:
▪ 4th smallest DHB population at 55,318 (1.29% of NZ population according to 2006 Census).
▪ Ethnic groups are 78.9% European (NZ 64.8%), 16.5% New Zealander (NZ 10.6%), Māori 5.9%
(3159 people; NZ 14.6%), 0.8% Pacific (447 people; NZ 6.6%), 1.5% Asian (792 people; NZ 8.8%).
▪ High percentage of older people. 19% of people are aged 65+ (NZ average 13%) and, consistent
with global trends, there is a predicted rapid increase in the number of older people. Our 85+ age group
has been predicted to increase 77% by 2021.
▪ 50% of population lives in rural areas (less than 10,000 population).
▪ 9% of our population (NZ 21%) are in deciles 9 and 10, the two most socio-economically deprived groups.
This is equal lowest in NZ. However, South Canterbury has a lower than average per capita income due
to a lower percentage of people in the higher socio-economic groups.
▪ Household overcrowding is the lowest in New Zealand at one-third the NZ rate, including low rates
for local Māori.