Christchurch Population 2026
Christchurch has a population of 419,200, making it the #2 biggest city in 🇳🇿 New Zealand, located in Canterbury. Roughly 7.9% of New Zealand's population lives here. It is about 3.7× smaller than Auckland, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
419,200
Rank in New Zealand
#2
Coordinates
43.53°S, 172.63°E
~14 m elevation · Pacific/Auckland
Distance to capital (Wellington)
305 km
189 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Canterbury
Cities near Christchurch
FAQ
What is the population of Christchurch?
Christchurch has a population of 419,200 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #2 biggest city in New Zealand.
What region is Christchurch in?
Christchurch is located in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Is Christchurch the capital of New Zealand?
No, the capital of New Zealand is Wellington, about 305 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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