Regional differences and similarities in the personality of New Zealanders

The current study contributes to an emerging literature on regional differences in personality. We analyse data from a national probability sample of New Zealanders (N = 6,518) to examine differences and similarities in mean levels of Big-Six personality (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, and Honesty-Humility) across 63 geographical General Electorate Districts in New Zealand. Of these six core aspects of personality, only Honesty-Humility and Openness to Experience varied significantly across regions. Those from large cities (i.e., Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch) were higher in Openness to Experience, whereas those from Palmerston North, and many regions of the South Island were higher in Honesty-Humility, relative to those living in other regions of New Zealand. However, regional differences explained only a trivial amount of variance in the two traits. This research speaks directly to anecdotes about regional differences across New Zealand, and shows that, for the most part, the strong regional similarities far outweigh alleged regional personality differences across the nation