NZ's Pokémon population and where to find them

If you've ever wondered where the most Pokémon are per capita in the country, Statistics New Zealand has come up with the answer.

Since the Pokémon Go app was released in New Zealand just over a month ago, the Government's official statisticians have been modelling data to figure out the highest concentration of the digital creatures.

They've even produced a map of the country with the estimated distribution of Pokémon.

The app uses augmented reality to place the creatures from the popular 1990s Japanese anime into real-life situations.

And it turns out Dunedin is the place to be if you want to find the most and wide-ranging Pokémon, with 15 per 10,000 people.

Analyst Bridget Snodgrass says while Stats NZ doesn't collect specific population information on Pokémon, they think the high number is because of the city's varied terrain.

"Within Dunedin is Otago Harbour for water-type Pokémon, Otago Peninsula for rock-type Pokémon, and Larnach Castle for ghost-type Pokémon, not to mention the cooler winter temperatures attracting ice-type Pokémon."

North Island Pokemon Population

Auckland's central east appears to be the best spot for hunting Pokémon around the clock, with 41 Pokémon per square kilometre during daylight hours and 18 per square kilometre at night.

Wellington's Lambton Quay was a close second during the day with 40 Pokémon per square kilometre.

Willis Street in Wellington to Cambridge Terrace is the second-best spot for the nocturnal players where there are 12 Pokémon roaming per square kilometre.

In the South Island, Riccarton is the place to be with 10 Pokémon per square kilometre in the suburb's south while in the west there's nine per square kilometre.

South Island Pokemon Population

"The Pokémon population maps show that the Pokémon population correlates with our human population across New Zealand," Ms Snodgrass said.

"Each of our three major centres - Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch - have several hundred active Pokémon at any one time."

Estimated active Pokémon populations:

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