The 1916 New Zealand census was the sixteenth national population census. The day used for the census was Sunday, 15 October 1916. The census of the Dominion of New Zealand revealed a total population of 1,149,225 – an overall increase of 90,981 or 8.59% over the 1911 census figure.Total and Māori populations, 1858–2013 Censuses of Population and Dwellings (Table 4)REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF A CENSUS OF THE POPULATION OF THE DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND TAKEN FOR THE NIGHT OF 15 October 1916.CENSUS, 1916. RETURN SHOWING THE POPULATION OF THE DOMINION (EXCLUSIVE OF MAORIS AND THE POPULATION OF THE ANNEXED PACIFIC ISLANDS), WITH DETAILS FOR COUNTIES, BOROUGHS, ELECTORAL DISTRICTS, ETC.
Enumeration In 1916 a new departure was made in connection with the enumeration of Māori. The Māori census counted 49,776 (excludes Māori counted in the European census) for a total of 52,997, fewer than 1,900 reside in the South Island.May the People Live: A History of Maori Health Development 1900–1920 By Raeburn LangeCensus of the Maori Population 1916 It was decided to enumerate the (South Island) Māori with the enumeration of the European population, the same schedules being used and the work done by the same Enumerators and Sub-Enumerators as for the European population. The North Island Māori census, however, was also taken in October.
Cost The census of 1916 witnessed an important innovation in respect of the mode of distribution and collection of the census schedules, resulting in a considerable saving of expense. This was the substitution of the machinery of the Post Office for the old system of special Enumerators.
Not only was the work performed more economically (the cost of collection was approximately £20,600 in 1911 and £17,500 in 1916), but the schedules were in much better condition than at any previous census, the proportion of incomplete entries being infinitesimal, and the necessity for queries being reduced to practically nil. A point in connection with the 1916 census was the increase in the number of Enumerators' districts—ninety-five, as compared with fifty-nine in 1911—and it is probable that the consequential reduction in the average size of the districts made for increased efficiency.
Summary The results of the census covered these topics: (Separate Volumes) (published 1920)Chapter 6: Census of Population and Dwellings pp 46–75 Part I Population (published 1918) Part II Ages (published 1918) Part III Birthplaces and Length of Residence (published 1918) Part IV Religions (published 1918) (20pp) Part V Education (published 1918) Part VI Infirmity (published 1918) Part VII Conjugal Condition (published 1918) Part VIII Fertility (published 1919) Part IX Occupations and Unemployment (published 1919) Part X Race Aliens (published 1919) Part XI Dwellings (published 1919) Part XII Households (published 1920) Appendix A Maori Census Appendix B Population of Cook and Other Annexed Pacific Islands* Appendix C Religious Denominations (Places of Worship etc.) and Libraries Appendix D Census of Industrial Manufacture* Appendix E Poultry and Bees
Population and dwellings The principal natural divisions in New Zealand are the North, South, and Stewart Islands. These contain nearly the whole population of European descent, the Cook and other annexed islands being inhabited almost solely by Natives.The populations of the various provincial districts are as follows:REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF A CENSUS OF THE POPULATION OF THE DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND TAKEN FOR THE NIGHT OF 15 October 1916.
Provincial District Males Females Total Auckland 155,298153,468 308,766 Taranaki 28,773 27,150 55,925 Hawke's Bay 27,194 27,073 54,267 Wellington 119,572112,542 232,114 Total, North Island 330,839 320,233 651,072 Marlborough 8,506 8,102 16,608 Nelson 22,415 20,836 43,251 Westland 8,088 7,414 15,502 Canterbury 88,085 93,784 181,869 Otago Otago Portion 63,546 67,972 131,518 Southland Portion 30,296 29,333 59,629 Total, South Island^ 220,936 227,441 448,377 Dominion of New Zealand 551,771 547,674 1,099,449 ^Includes Stewart Island and Chatham Islands
Distribution Distribution Males Females Total Population of the Dominion551,775 547,674 1,099,449 Māori population 25,93123,840 49,771 Morioris at Chatham Islands 2 35 Totals, New Zealand 577,715 571,5101,149,225 European, (Māori living as Europeans) and others. (excluding Māori and residents of Cook and other Pacific islands). Includes 3,529 half-castes living as Māoris.
Population of Cook and other annexed islands 6,5536,244 12,797 Total, (excluding Samoa) 584,261 577,7611,162,022 Samoa (Expeditionary Force and New Zealand civilians) 24625 271 Total, Pacific Islands 584,507 577,786 1,162,293Source:REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF A CENSUS OF THE POPULATION OF THE DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND TAKEN FOR THE NIGHT OF 15 October 1916.CENSUS, 1916. RETURN SHOWING THE POPULATION OF THE DOMINION (EXCLUSIVE OF MAORIS AND THE POPULATION OF THE ANNEXED PACIFIC ISLANDS), WITH DETAILS FOR COUNTIES, BOROUGHS, ELECTORAL DISTRICTS, ETC.New Zealand Official Yearbook 1997 (Section -Population, age, sex) Notes: † Includes 112 soldiers in camp in New Zealand.
Birthplace Question 8 on the census form asked the question: (a.) Country where born... (not county, town or subdivision.) If born outside the British Empire or if born at sea, add "P." if a British subject by parentage, add "N". if a British subject by nationalization. The figures show that of the total population of specified birthplace (1,097,841), 1,077,808, or 98.17 per cent., were born on British soil, 1.70 per cent, on foreign soil, and 0.13 per cent, at sea. For the overseas-born census usually resident population: Country Population Percent (%) New Zealand-born 794,139 72.34 Totals, Overseas-born 305,310 27.66 England 140,99712.84 Scotland 51,951 4.73 Commonwealth of Australia 45,585 4.15 Ireland 37,380 3.40 Wales 2,197 0.20 Other British possessions 5,559 0.51 Totals, British soil 1,077,808 98.17 Austria-Hungary 2,365 0.22 German Empire 2,999 0.27 Denmark 2,244 0.20 Chinese Empire 2,0410.19 Other foreign countries 9,007 0.82 Total foreign 18,656 1.70 At sea 1,377 0.13 Not stated 1,608 – Total that specified a birthplace 1,097,841100.0 New Zealand 1,099,449 100.0
Race The census form asked the question (a.) Country where born... (b.) Race. Race Males Females Population % European 547,505 545,519 1,093,024 95.11 Māori 27,446 25,551 52,997 4.61 Others 2,757 4473,204 0.28 Chinese 2,017 1302,147 – Syrians 267192459 – Hindus167 14181 – Negroes79 1695 – Japanese 55459 – New Zealand 577,715 571,510 1,149,225100.0
Māori census Location Total population North Island 47,545 South Island 1,590 Stewart Island 4 Chatham Islands Māoris 253 Morioris5 Māori wives living with European husbands379 Totals, New Zealand 49,776Source: (excludes Māori living as Europeans.)Census of the Maori Population October 1916
Religion Members of Christian denominations formed 95.71 per cent. of those who made answer to the inquiry at the last census; non-Christian sects were 0.44 per cent.; and those who described themselves as of no religion 0.39 per cent.; whilst "indefinite" religions constituted 1.12 per cent. Denomination 1916 census Number Percentage Christian 1,048,479 95.71% Church of England 459,021 42.90% Presbyterians 260,659 24.36% Methodists 106,024 9.91% Baptists 20,872 1.95% Congregationalists 8,221 0.77% Lutherans 3,530 0.33% Salvation Army 10,004 0.94% Brethren 9,758 0.91% Church of Christ 9,249 0.86% Unitarians 1,402 0.13% Society of Friends 431 0.04% Roman; Catholics and Catholics undefined 151,605 14.17% Other Christians 7,703 0.72% Hebrews 2,341 0.22% Other specified religions 14,817 1.39% No religion 4,311 0.40% Totals, specified religions 1,069,948 100.00% Object to state 25,577 – Unspecified 3,924 – Grand totals, New Zealand 1,099,449 –
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