Population grows as migration slows

The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,380,700 at 30 September 2010, Statistics New Zealand said today. The population increased by 49,400 (1.1 percent) in the September 2010 year; natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) and net migration contributed 35,400 and 13,900 respectively. The population growth is less than the 51,500 (1.2 percent) increase in the preceding year.

"Net migration has decreased by 18 percent compared with the previous September year," Population Statistics manager Bridget Hamilton-Seymour said. “The drop in net migration, from 17,000 to 13,900, was largely due to a small decrease (6 percent) in permanent and long-term arrivals."

At 30 September 2010, half of the male population was over 35.5 years of age, and half of females were over 37.7 years of age. Over the last 10 years, the median age has increased by 1.9 years for males and 2.5 years for females. 

Highlights

• The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4.38 million at 30 September 2010.
• Population growth was 49,400 (1.1 percent) during the September 2010 year.
• Natural increase and net migration contributed 35,400 and 13,900, respectively, during the September 2010 year.
• The median ages for males and females were 35.5 and 37.7 years, respectively, at 30 September 2010.