The Bay of Plenty's diversity has been revealed as census figures show more than 17 per cent of the region's population was born overseas.
The information was released yesterday, in the latest batch of 2013 Census results from Statistics New Zealand, which also showed the Bay had a lower rate of home ownership than in 2006, while the number of dwellings increased.
Government statistician Liz MacPherson said information from the 2013 Census showed the New Zealand population was growing more ethnically diverse and the Bay of Plenty was mirroring the national trend. "The 2013 Census results show that 17.3 per cent of the Bay of Plenty's population was born overseas," she said.
"This is up 2.4 percentage points since 2006.
"Of this overseas-born population, 39.8 per cent were from the United Kingdom and Ireland, with the next most common birthplace being Asia, with 21.8 per cent."