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Queenstown and Thames-Coromandel are hotspots

Published: Tue 23 Oct 2018 11:05 AM
Queenstown and Thames-Coromandel are hotspots for the young and old –
23 October 2018
Queenstown-Lakes district is a drawcard for people in their twenties and thirties to live in, while Thames-Coromandel has a bigger share of people nearing retirement, Stats NZ said today.
At 30 June 2018, the estimated resident population suggests that more than 1 in 5 people who live in Queenstown-Lakes district are aged 25 to 34 years. This compared with nearly 1 in 3 people in Thames-Coromandel district who are aged 65 and over, with a much smaller proportion of residents in other age groups.
Text alternative for Queenstown-Lakes district and Thames-Coromandel estimated population at 30 June 2018.
Variations in age structure are also present in other areas of New Zealand.
Young adults (aged 15 to 39)
People aged 15–39 years make up 34 percent of New Zealanders, with larger proportions living in cities like Wellington, Hamilton, Auckland, Dunedin, Palmerston North, and Christchurch (proportions range from 44 percent to 37 percent). This results in smaller proportions of residents in other age groups.
“Net migration, measured by arrivals minus departures, is driving the young age structure,” population insights senior manager Brooke Theyers said. “Large urban areas attract young migrants from other areas of New Zealand and from overseas, who are seeking work or tertiary education opportunities.”
Text alternative for Dunedin city estimated population at 30 June 2018.
The Queenstown-Lakes district, a popular tourist destination, is also attracting young adult migrants.
A larger proportion of people in younger age groups lowers the median age of a population (half are younger, and half older, than this age). The median age of residents in these areas ranges from 31.8 to 36.6 years, which is below the national average of 36.9 years.
Older age groups (65 and over)
Over 65-year-olds make up 15 percent of all New Zealanders, with larger proportions living in areas like Thames-Coromandel district, Kapiti Coast district, and Central Otago district (proportions range from 31 percent to 23 percent). The median age ranges from 47.3 to 53 years in these areas.
“Places with large proportions of people over 65 are typically those that are desirable locations for New Zealanders to retire,” Ms Theyers said. “We expect to see more age structures like these as the number of people in older age groups grows.”
Children (aged under 15)
Under 15-year-olds make up 19 percent of New Zealanders. Kawerau and Wairoa (both 24 percent) are examples of areas that have larger proportions of children than other territorial authority areas.
These parts of New Zealand have had a relatively high number of births. Kawerau had 0.7 percent and Wairoa had 0.5 percent of growth by natural increase (more births than deaths) in the June 2018 year, which contributes to the size of the younger age groups.
These areas also do not experience the high net migration gains seen in cities and other areas. For example, Wairoa has negative net migration (more departures than arrivals) but the population remained largely stable in the June year.
Many people who leave Kawerau and Wairoa are young to middle-aged adults, as they represent the smallest proportion of Wairoa’s total population. This results in a larger proportion of residents in the other age groups.
Text alternative for Wairoa district estimated population at 30 June 2018.
The estimates presented in this release are based on 2013 Census results and estimated population change since then. Revised population estimates will be released in 2019 after 2018 Census results are available.
Click the image below to see to an interactive map of estimated subnational population data at 30 June 2018.
New Zealand's estimated resident population (at 30 June 2018), interactive map.
Ends

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