Confidentialised data from the 2023 Census found that 172,383 people (4.9 percent of adults) belonged to the LGBTIQ+ (or Rainbow) population, according to data released by Stats NZ today.
LGBTIQ+ includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, intersex, or have other minority genders or sexual identities.
Gender, sex, and LGBTIQ+ concepts in the 2023 Census has further information. LGBTIQ+ status is derived for all usual residents aged 15 years and older who responded to the census.
The 2023 Census was the first census to collect data from New Zealanders about their gender, sexual identity, and whether they have a variation of sex characteristics.
"Census data is for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand, so it is important that Rainbow communities can see themselves in the data for the first time. We thank those who have advocated for and contributed to the delivery of this data over the years," deputy government statistician and deputy chief executive insights and statistics Rachael Milicich said.
Wellington city has the highest proportion of LGBTIQ+ people
Of the adult population who were identified as belonging to the LGBTIQ+ population, the highest proportion lived in Wellington city, at 11.3 percent. After Wellington, the cities with the highest proportions were Dunedin (7.3 percent), Christchurch (6.0 percent), Palmerston North (5.8 percent), and Hamilton (5.6 percent).
Auckland had 57,324 people who belonged to the LGBTIQ+ population (4.9 percent). Within Auckland local board areas, Waitematā had the highest proportion of LGBTIQ+ adults, at 12.0 percent.
"The data released today provides vital information for local communities so that they can provide support and access to services that are needed," Milicich said.
| Area | Percent |
| Wellington city | 11.3 |
| Dunedin city | 7.3 |
| Christchurch city | 6 |
| Palmerston North city | 5.8 |
| Hamilton city | 5.6 |
| Lower Hutt city | 5.4 |
| South Wairarapa district | 5.2 |
| Upper Hutt city | 5.1 |
| Kapiti Coast district | 5 |
| Auckland | 4.9 |
| Queenstown-Lakes district | 4.9 |
| Nelson city | 4.8 |
| Porirua city | 4.5 |
| Whanganui district | 4.4 |
| Invercargill city | 4.2 |
| Age | Percent |
| 15-19 | 1.2 |
| 20-24 | 1.3 |
| 25-29 | 0.9 |
| 30-34 | 0.5 |
| 35-39 | 0.3 |
| 40-44 | 0.3 |
| 45-49 | 0.2 |
| 50-54 | 0.2 |
| 55-59 | 0.2 |
| 60-64 | 0.2 |
| 65 and over | 0.1 |
For the first time, 2023 Census collected gender breakdowns by male, female, and another gender. Previously census data only provided information by sex.
Further information
Aotearoa Data Explorer provides access and the ability to customise 2023 Census data tables and compare data against previous census. More LGBTIQ+ population data will be available in March 2025, including tables that provide breakdowns for the LGBTIQ+ population by a range of census concepts.
For more data on gender and sexual identity see:
- Wellbeing statistics: 2023
- LGBT+ population of Aotearoa: Year ended June 2021
- Wellbeing statistics: 2021.
