Over 50,000 people identified as being Tongan at the 2006 Census
 

In 2006, Tongans were the third largest Pacific ethnic group in New Zealand, making up 50,478 or 19% of New Zealand's Pacific population (265,974). The Tongan population increased by 24% (9,763) between 2001 and 2006. The median age of the Tongan population (half are younger and half are older than this age) was 19 years. By comparison, the median ages for the total Pacific and total New Zealand populations were 21 years and 36 years, respectively.

• 61% of the Tongan community speak Tongan
• 64% of Tongan adults have a formal educational qualification (secondary school or post-school qualification).
• 80% (40,140) of the Tongan population live in the Auckland region
• Tongans born in New Zealand account for 56% (27,693) of the total Tongan population.

There are currently 3 Tongan newspapers that publish in New Zealand. Radio wise, there is some Tongan community programming on Planet FM and there is one dedicated Tongan language night (Wednesday 6:30pm - 6am) every week on Radio 531pi.