Facts and figures
Land area
- Canterbury: 25,252 sq km
- New Zealand: 268,690 sq km
Climate (Christchurch)
(National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research data, 1971–2000)
- Mean temperature, January: 17.4°C
- Mean temperature, July: 6.6°C
- Mean annual rainfall: 648 mm
- Mean annual sunshine: 2,100 hours
Total population, 2006
- Canterbury: 462,783
- New Zealand: 4,027,947
Ethnic affiliation, 2006
(Multiple responses allowed)
European
- Canterbury: 77.0%
- New Zealand: 67.6%
New Zealander 1
- Canterbury: 13.4%
- New Zealand: 11.1%
Māori
- Canterbury: 7.3%
- New Zealand: 14.6%
Pacific Island
- Canterbury: 2.3%
- New Zealand: 6.9%
Asian (including Indian)
- Canterbury: 6.3%
- New Zealand: 9.2%
Principal tribes
Ngāi (Kai) Tahu
Population of major urban areas, 2001
- Christchurch: 334,107
- Ashburton: 15,774
Age distribution, 2006
Under 15
- Canterbury: 19.7%
- New Zealand: 21.5%
15–64
- Canterbury: 66.9%
- New Zealand: 66.2%
Over 65
- Canterbury: 13.4%
- New Zealand: 12.3%
Employment by industry, 2001
(Figures are for workers aged 15 and over, in selected industries in which the region’s employment pattern is most distinctive)
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- Canterbury: 6.5%
- New Zealand: 8.3%
Manufacturing
- Canterbury: 15.1%
- New Zealand: 13.0%
Government administration and defence
- Canterbury: 2.9%
- New Zealand: 3.5%
Unemployment, 2006
- Canterbury: 4.0%
- New Zealand: 5.1%
Livestock numbers, 2002
(Agricultural Production Survey, Statistics New Zealand)
Sheep
- Canterbury: 4,931,565
- New Zealand: 39,571, 837
Dairy cattle
- Canterbury: 397,533
- New Zealand: 5,161,589
Beef cattle
- Canterbury: 342,940
- New Zealand: 4,491,281
Next: Further Sources
