Why do so few people live in Northland?

I'm going to NZ for the first time, thinking about maybe moving there. I can't understand why, other than maybe lack of jobs, there seem to be so few people who live in the Northland area. If there was a similar place here in the states, with warm weather and ocean all around, lots of greenery and nice sailing, there would be people everywhere, with high rise hotels and the like, kind of like Florida, and with many retirees. That's not what I want, but it seems like a nice area to live in, so why do so few Kiwis live there? By the way, I'm a nurse, so I can likely live and work almost anywhere.

Unfortunately the above answers are all correct. I lived in Waipu in the Northland for 3 months when I was a teenager. It was a beautiful place. I loved living there but all the friends that were there have left (to get jobs elsewhere). A lot have left to Australia and Great Britain. It does seem to me to attract more the retiree set. However some areas are relatively close to Auckland so many you could live in the Northland on the weekends and do the Auckland thing during the week?? Mind you there should be nursing jobs nearly anywhere.

You have the choice to go to NZ, which is less populated to day. Many restrictions for entry.

The cold climate prevents growth in population. This is why warmer places like Florida, India, are flooded with people.
Education is another aspect which suggests to have smaller families in warm countries. (China is an exception)

With less population in Northland, there will be less opportunities for you for job opportunities and to work as a nurse. That needs to be considered and ascertained from the NZ Govt. as well, if you have to work there as well.l

You hit the nail on the head - lack of work, no work in fact. People have to go where the jobs are. If you are a nurse you shouldn't have any problems. There is a terrible shortage of nurses in New Zealand.

There are just under 5 million people in New Zealand and 32 million sheep..... Roughly 20 thousand people a year leave NZ for Australia. As a Pom newly arrived here to visit family I can see why. This a beautiful country filled with nice people but there is nothing other than light industry and tourism to support the population. The dynamics don't work, as a nurse you could find work anywhere, I would follow the 20 thousand and go to Aus!