This is a list of functional urban areas in New Zealand, as defined by Statistics New Zealand.
Under the Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023 and Statistical standard for geographic areas 2018, a functional urban area an urban area, rural settlement or rural statistical area where there is a major, large medium or small urban core with more than 5,000 residents. They may also have urban cores, satellite urban areas, rural settlements and rural hinterland ares where at least 40% of workers commute to the urban core or associated secondary urban core for work. Functional urban areas are based on linkages between where people live and where they work, shop, access health care, and take part in recreation activities.
As of 2023, there are 53 functional urban areas in New Zealand.
Metropolitan areas
Auckland (1,547,619) – Auckland, Hibiscus Coast, Pukekohe, Beachlands-Pine Harbour, Clarks Beach, Helensville, Kumeu-Huapai, Maraetai, Muriwai, Parakai, Patumāhoe, Pōkeno, Riverhead, Tuakau, Waimauku, Waiuku Christchurch (470,814) – Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Rolleston, Diamond Harbour, Leeston, Lincoln, Lyttelton, Pegasus, Prebbleton, West Melton, Woodend Wellington (414,033) – Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Featherston, Greytown Hamilton (198,957) – Hamilton, Ngāruawāhia Tauranga (156,096) – Tauranga, Ōmokoroa Dunedin (125,007) – Dunedin, Mosgiel, Brighton, Waikouaiti
Large regional centres
Palmerston North (92,004) – Palmerston North, Ashhurst
Whangārei (84,117) – Whangārei, Hikurangi, Ngunguru, One Tree Point, Ruakākā
Nelson (79,998) – Nelson, Richmond, Brightwater, Hope, Māpua, Wakefield
New Plymouth (79,074) – New Plymouth, Inglewood, Ōakura, Waitara
Hastings (75,255) – Hastings, Havelock North, Clive
Rotorua (67,179) – Rotorua, Ngongotahā
Napier (64,767) Invercargill (54,084) Kāpiti Coast (46,683) – Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Paekākāriki Whanganui (44,403) Gisborne (39,447)
Medium regional centres
Timaru (38,559) – Timaru, Pleasant Point, Temuka
Masterton (32,043) – Masterton, Carterton
Blenheim (30,099) Taupō (28,068) Levin (25,803) – Levin, Shannon Queenstown (24,693) – Queenstown, Arrowtown, Arthurs Point, Lake Hayes Whakatāne (21,828) – Whakatāne, Ōhope Ashburton (21,672) Cambridge (21,261) Te Awamutu (19,677) – Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Pirongia Feilding (17,727) Oamaru (15,255) Tokoroa (13,710) Greymouth (11,604) – Greymouth, Runanga
Small regional centres (Population 5000+) Warkworth (14,037) – Warkworth, Snells Beach Wānaka (12,633) – Wānaka, Lake Hāwea Kerikeri (12,699) Kaitaia (12,291) Hāwera (11,718) Gore (10,053) – Gore, Mataura Te Puke (9,918) Motueka (9,501) Thames (9,288) Morrinsville (9,195) Alexandra (8,526) – Alexandra, Clyde Huntly (8,052) Matamata (8,019) Kawerau (7,419) Cromwell (7,305) Stratford (7,023) Ōtaki (6,984) – Ōtaki, Ōtaki Beach Dannevirke (6,360) Marton (5,676) Whitianga (5,622) Katikati (5,442) Waihi (5,403)