Stats NZ defines 53 Functional Urban Areas (Statistical standard for geographic areas 2023): Metropolitan Areas Auckland (1,547,619) Christchurch (470,814) Wellington (414,033) Hamilton (198,957) Tauranga (156,096) Dunedin (125,007) Large Regional Centres Palmerston North (92,004) Whangārei (84,117) Nelson (79,998) New Plymouth (79,074) Hastings (75,255) Rotorua (67,179) Napier (64,767) Invercargill (54,084) Kapiti (46,683) Whanganui (44,403) Gisborne (39,447) Medium Regional Centres Timaru (38,559) Masterton (32,043) Blenheim (30,099) Taupō (28,068) Levin (25,803) Queenstown (24,693) Whakatāne (21,828) Ashburton (21,672) Cambridge (21,261) Te Awamutu (19,677) Feilding (17,727) Oamaru (15,255) Tokoroa (13,710) Wānaka (12,633) Greymouth (11,604) Small Regional Centres (Population 5000+) Warkworth Kerikeri Kaitaia Hāwera Gore Te Puke Motueka Thames Morrinsville Alexandra Huntly Matamata Kawerau Cromwell Stratford Ōtaki Dannevirke Marton Whitianga Katikati Waihi References Functional