Population growth projected to slow

Statistics New Zealand has projected that nearly all regions, will have more people in 2043 than 2013. The record growth rates, however, will begin to subside. The updated population projections suggest most growth will occur in the next few years. “For most regions, migration is driving the high projected growth levels in the short term. However, due to our population's changing age structure, which is a result of fewer births and more deaths, population growth will slow in the long term,” population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan said. Auckland will remain New Zealand’s fastest-growing region, and is projected to receive over half the country’s net migration and account for half of domestic growth until 2043. Population is projected to reach 2 million by 2033, and within local boards, Waitemata and Upper Harbour areas are projected to grow the fastest, at an average of 2.6 per cent. Over 80 per cent of the nation’s growth to 2043 will be in Auckland and the other 12 cities, which will result in over a million new city residents than in 2013. Of New Zealand’s 16 council areas, 15 will have more people in 2043 than in 2013 (the West Coast being the exception). Of the 67 territorial authorities in New Zealand, 59 are projected to have more people in 2028 than in 2013, and 36 will have more people in 2043 than 2028, indicating slow growth in the future. The fastest territorial growth is expected in the Selwyn and Queenstown-Lakes districts, with an average increase of 2.6 per cent and 2.2 per cent per year respectively, where populations are projected to double by 2043. Statistics New Zealand states the data are projections and not predictions, and should be used to indicate overall trends rather than forecasting exact numbers. The growth projections are produced every two to three years to assist government, local councils and communities with project planning.