In the most recent New Zealand census in 2013, 74 percent of the population identified as European and 14.9 percent as Māori. Other major pan-ethnic groups include Asians (11.8 percent) and Pacific peoples (7.4 percent). Middle Eastern, Latin American and African ethnicities constitute a small remainder (1.20 percent) of the population. When completing the census people could select more than one ethnic group and this list includes all of the stated ethnic groups if more than one is chosen.
New Zealand's ethnic diversity can be attributed to its history and location. For example, the country's colonisation by Britain is a significant reason for the majority of its population being of European descent.