Gisborne – fewer religious people, married people, and smokers

4 February 2014

Latest results from the 2013 Census show that the Gisborne region is home to fewer people identifying with a religion, fewer married people, and fewer smokers than in 2006.

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2, released today, gives an interesting impression of the Gisborne region and its districts.

“For instance, nationally there was a decline since 2006 in the number of people who identify with a religion. In Gisborne this was particularly evident, with 21.3 percent fewer people indicating a religious affiliation in the 2013 Census, and a 26.0 percent increase in the number of people who checked the ‘no religion’ box,” Census Statistics Manager Gareth Meech said.

The proportion of the adult population who are married was lower in Gisborne than anywhere else in New Zealand. Of Gisborne residents aged 15 years or over, 42.5 percent said they were legally married in last year’s census, down from 44.4 percent in 2006. Nationally, the proportion of legally married people in 2013 was 48.1 percent.

Gisborne also had 1,818 fewer smokers than it did in 2006, a decrease of 20.8 percent. The proportion of adults in the region who regularly smoke dropped from 29.7 percent in 2006 to 23.7 percent last year.
In 2013, the largest iwi for Gisborne people of Māori descent was Ngāti Porou, with 11,985 people, followed by the Turanganui a Kiwa grouping with 4,209 people.

“This local breakdown of census information is some of the most important, as it will help communities and service providers plan for the future,” Mr Meech said. “Providers of local services such as health, education, community, and recreational facilities can use census data to form a picture of the region and what it needs to succeed.”

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2 has more information on topics such as religion, relationship status, occupation, and smoking.

ENDS

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