In the early years of European settlement in New Zealand, the South Island's overall percentage of the New Zealand population was far higher, equalling or even exceeding the population of the North Island. This was exacerbated by the New Zealand Wars and the Otago gold rush of the 1860s. Since that time, the South Island's population as a percentage of the country's total population has steadily decreased, with the population of the South island now being less than that of the North Island's largest city, Auckland. This growing disparity has stabilised in recent years, with both the 2013 and 2018 censuses showing the South Island to have a very similar percentage of the national population (around 23%–24%).
In the early years of European settlement in New Zealand the South Island's overall percentage of the New Zealand population was far higher equalling or even exceeding the population of the North Island This was exacerbated by the New Zealand Wars and the Otago gold rush of the 1860s Since that time the South Island's population as a percentage of the country's total population has steadily decreased with the population of the South island now being less than that of the North Island's largest city Auckland This growing disparity has stabilised in recent years with both the 2013 and 2018 censuses showing the South Island to have a very similar percentage of the national population (around 23%–24%)