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.

Christchurch's population has predictably slumped since the earthquakes, but many people have moved to outlying areas, Census figures reveals.

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.

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

Kiwis bantered their way through this year's census, questioning the questions and suggesting their own:

New Zealanders have taken on board official encouragement to fill out their Census returns online today, with one million forms completed soon after 1pm.

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

The 2011 Census gets into full swing from tomorrow with the delivery of about eight million census forms and internet access codes.