14 Aug 2014

Census reveals population rising faster

12:44 pm on 14 August 2014

New census data shows New Zealand's population is growing at its fastest rate for over a decade.

Statistics New Zealand has released its first population estimates using results from the 2013 census and subsequent data, including results from people missed by the census or who were overseas on census night.

The country's population grew by 67,800 people, or 1.5 percent in the year ending June 2014.

Statistics New Zealand said the rise came from natural increase (29,500) and net migration. (38,300)

The numbers also show the age structure of the population has changed over the past two decades.

Over 65-year-olds are the fastest growing group and now account for 14 percent (650,400) of the population, up from 11 percent in 1994.

New Zealand's estimated resident population was 4.51 million at 30 June 2014.