1878 New Zealand census
# 1878 New Zealand census

The 1878 New Zealand census was the first held in four years. Information is taken from the NZ census website. The population of New Zealand was 414,216.

| Region | Population | Population increase or decrease |
| - | - | - |
| Auckland | 82,661 | +22.55% |
| Taranaki | 9,463 | +73.16% |
| Hawke's Bay | 15,015 | +62.71% |
| Wellington | 51,069 | +71.43% |
| Nelson | 25,128 | +11.39% |
| Marlborough | 7,557 | +22.98% |
| Canterbury | 91,922 | +56.40% |
| Westland | 16,932 | +13.94% |
| Otago | 114,469 | +34.49% |
