1874 New Zealand census
The 1874 New Zealand census was a population count taken in 1874. Information is from the NZ census website. The population of New Zealand was 299,385.
| Region | Population | Population increase or decrease |
| Auckland | 67,451 | +8.21% |
| Taranaki | 5,465 | +21.99% |
| Hawke's Bay | 9,228 | +52.30% |
| Wellington | 29,790 | +24.12% |
| Nelson | 22,558 | +0.25% |
| Marlborough | 6,145 | +17.38% |
| Canterbury | 58,775 | +25.58% |
| Westland | 14,860 | -3.24% |
| Otago | 85,113 | +22.48% |