Where New Zealanders Live and Why
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Where New Zealanders Live and Why
Understanding New Zealand's Population Distribution Year 11 Geography Exploring settlement patterns and human impacts
New Zealand's Population Overview
Population: approximately 5.2 million people Most live on North Island (77%) South Island holds 23% of population Auckland region contains 1.7 million people (33% of total) Population density varies dramatically across regions
Population Distribution Map
Why do you think most New Zealanders live in cities?
Think about: Job opportunities Services and amenities Transportation links Climate and geography
Factors Influencing Where People Live
Economic opportunities - jobs and industries Physical geography - climate, terrain, resources Infrastructure - roads, airports, telecommunications Social factors - family, education, healthcare Historical factors - early settlement patterns Government policies and urban planning
Urban vs Rural Living in New Zealand
{"left":"85% live in urban areas\nHigher population density\nMore job opportunities\nBetter access to services\nPublic transport available\nHigher cost of living","right":"15% live in rural areas\nLower population density\nAgriculture and primary industries\nLimited services\nPrivate transport essential\nLower cost of living but lower incomes"}
Major Settlement Areas and Why
Auckland: Economic hub, largest port, warm climate Wellington: Capital city, government jobs, central location Christchurch: South Island's largest city, Canterbury Plains agriculture Hamilton: Waikato farming region, inland location Tauranga: Bay of Plenty, port city, retirement destination
Settlement Pattern Analysis
Work in pairs to analyze a New Zealand region Choose: Northland, Bay of Plenty, or Otago Research population density and main settlements Identify physical and human factors affecting settlement Present findings to class in 5 minutes
Human Impacts of Settlement Patterns
Urban sprawl - cities expanding into farmland Infrastructure pressure - roads, water, waste systems Environmental impacts - pollution, habitat loss Social inequality - housing affordability crisis Economic concentration - regional development gaps Cultural impacts - loss of rural communities
Understanding Settlement Patterns
"Where people choose to live reflects the complex interaction between physical geography, economic opportunities, and social needs. New Zealand's settlement patterns tell the story of our nation's development and the challenges we face for sustainable growth."