Embargoed until 10:45am – 23 October 2008

Population growth in all regions

All of New Zealand's 16 regions recorded population growth in the June 2008 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. Across the regions, population growth ranged from less than 100 (Gisborne, West Coast and Southland regions), to 20,800 (Auckland Region). Auckland continued to be New Zealand's fastest-growing region, and accounted for 52 percent of the country's population growth in the June 2008 year.

The regional population growth occurred despite a slight reduction in population growth at the national level.

In the June 2008 year, New Zealand's population grew by 40,300 (down from 43,700 in the preceding June year) and there were contrasting trends in natural increase and net migration.

New Zealand's level of natural increase (excess of births over deaths) was the highest for a June year since 1973. For 13 regions, natural increase was higher in the June 2008 year than in the June 2007 year. There were notable rises in natural increase for the Auckland Region (up 1,000 from the preceding June year) and the Manawatu-Wanganui Region (up 300 from the preceding June year).

In contrast to the rise in natural increase, New Zealand's level of net international migration was the lowest for a June year since 2001. For the majority of regions, net migration (international and internal migration combined) was lower in the June 2008 year than in the preceding June year. However, there was a small increase in estimated net migration for six regions (Gisborne, Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui, Nelson, Marlborough and Southland).

At 30 June 2008, New Zealand's median centre of population was located about five kilometres southeast of Taharoa, towards the northern boundary of the Waitomo District. The median centre of population is the point at which half the population lives north and south, and half the population lives east and west. Since 1921, New Zealand's median centre of population has moved northward by about 270 kilometres, partly because of relatively rapid population growth in the Auckland Region.

Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
23 October 2008

END

See also the Hot Off The Press information release Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2008 [PDF].

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