<Tr> <Th> Population </Th> <Td> 1,115,800 (June 2017) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Pop . density </Th> <Td> 7.4 / km (19.2 / sq mi) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Ethnic groups </Th> <Td> European, Māori </Td> </Tr> <P> The South Island (Māori: Te Waipounamu) is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island . It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, and to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean . The South Island covers 150,437 square kilometres (58,084 sq mi), making it the world's 12th - largest island . It has a temperate climate . </P>

Who has a larger population north or south