Whanganui Population 2026
Whanganui has a population of 49,200, making it the #19 biggest city in 🇳🇿 New Zealand, located in Manawatu-Wanganui. Roughly 0.9% of New Zealand's population lives here. It is about 31× smaller than Auckland, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
49,200
Rank in New Zealand
#19
Coordinates
39.93°S, 175.05°E
~18 m elevation · Pacific/Auckland
Distance to capital (Wellington)
152 km
94 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Manawatu-Wanganui
| City | Population | Rank in New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Palmerston North | 90,500 | #9 |
| Levin | 19,789 | #40 |
Cities near Whanganui
- Palmerston North90,500 people · ~67 km away
- Levin19,789 people · ~80 km away
- Paraparaumu29,900 people · ~109 km away
- Masterton28,900 people · ~125 km away
- New Plymouth90,100 people · ~127 km away
- Upper Hutt47,400 people · ~134 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Whanganui?
Whanganui has a population of 49,200 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #19 biggest city in New Zealand.
What region is Whanganui in?
Whanganui is located in Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand.
Is Whanganui the capital of New Zealand?
No, the capital of New Zealand is Wellington, about 152 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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