<Tr> <Th> Pop . density </Th> <Td> 32.3 / km (83.7 / sq mi) </Td> </Tr> <P> The North Island (Māori: Te Ika - a-Māui) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the slightly larger but much less populous South Island by Cook Strait . The island's area is 113,729 square kilometres (43,911 sq mi), making it the world's 14th - largest island . It has a population of 3,677,200 (June 2017). </P> <P> Twelve main urban areas (half of them officially cities) are in the North Island . From north to south, they are Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Napier, Hastings, Whanganui, Palmerston North, and Wellington, the capital, located at the south - west extremity of the island . About 77% of New Zealand's population lives in the North Island . </P> <P> Although the island has been known as the North Island for many years, in 2009 the New Zealand Geographic Board found that, along with the South Island, the North Island had no official name . After a public consultation, the board officially named the island North Island or Te Ika - a-Maui in October 2013 . </P>

What is the capital of new zealands north island