New Plymouth District had a population of 80,679 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6,495 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 11,778 people since the 2006 census. There were 30,954 households. There were 39,630 males and 41,049 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female. Of the total population, 16,428 people were aged up to 15 years, 13,650 were 15 to 29, 36,129 were 30 to 64, and 14,475 were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding. Ethnicities were 85.4% European/Pākehā, 17.8% Māori, 2.2% Pacific peoples, 5.2% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 15.7, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 52.2% had no religion, 35.9% were Christian, and 4.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 11,112 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 13,422 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,400. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 30,669 people were employed full-time, 10,026 were part-time, and 2,472 were unemployed.
Local government
Every three years the Mayor, 14 councillors and 16 community board members are elected by the New Plymouth District’s enrolled voters. The full council, sub-committees and standing committees meet on a six-weekly cycle. The current serving Mayor of New Plymouth is Neil Holdom. The Planning and Performance standing committees have delegated authority from the council to make final decisions on certain matters, and they make recommendations to the council on all others. The four community boards – Clifton, Waitara, Inglewood and Kaitake – as well as the subcommittees and working parties can make recommendations to the standing committees for them to consider. The third standing committee, the Hearings Commission, is a quasi-judicial body that meets whenever a formal hearing is required – for instance, to hear submissions on a publicly notified resource consent application. The Chief Executive and approximately 460 full-time equivalent staff provide advice and information to the elected members and the public, implement council decisions and manage the district’s day-to-day operations. This includes everything from maintaining more than 280 parks and reserves, waste water management and issuing consents and permits, through to providing libraries and other recreational services and ensuring the district’s eateries meet health standards. New Plymouth District Council's annual operating revenue for 2013/2014 is $167.18 million.
