Statistics New Zealand has released key census information on the country's population, its mix of ages and sexes, and where people choose to live.

New Zealand's population is now 4.24 million and is getting older and more ethnically diverse, this year's census has shown. Click here to see an interactive map from the data.

A Hastings man says he was taken aback when he received a letter in the mail last week warning him he is facing charges for not completing the 2013 Census.

Auckland has grown up - and out - in the past seven years, with new census figures far surprising what Statistics NZ had estimated.

Super City's population nudging 1.5m while there were falls in many regional centres and country areas in the North Island.

The Christchurch population has predictably slumped since the devastating earthquakes, but many people have moved to outlying areas, new census data reveals.

The population of the South Island has topped one million for the first time, new census figures released today show.

The New Zealand population grew by 214,000 people in the last seven years, census data released today shows.

The long-awaited 2013 Census is expected to reveal that a rampant Auckland has grabbed more people and more power than ever before.

Grieving parents of stillborn babies have joined forces to object to a question in the Census.

New Zealanders who follow official encouragement to file their Census returns online today may be met with a "busy" message.

Census officials are calling on New Zealanders to participate in the national survey next Tuesday as it will bring about sweeping changes to our lives.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson said the level of online participation for the census had been strong ahead of census day next Tuesday.

Census forms have been filled in online by 250,000 people in the lead up to census day.

A political party is urging people opposed to the "coercive nature" of the Census to take part in mass civil disobedience and destroy their Census forms in protest.

Census forms will be delivered to every home in New Zealand from tomorrow as the Government gears up for its first population survey for seven years.