Media Release
23 October 2009

Wellington’s Population Growth Reinforces Case for Increased Infrastructure Investment

Wellington city was amongst the fastest growing areas in the country in the year to June 2009 according to population figures released today by Statistics New Zealand.

Wellington city grew by 2,700 people or 1.4% over the year.  Of the 73 territorial local authorities this was 6th fastest by number and 12th fastest by percent (equal to Auckland city).  The New Zealand population grew 1.1% over the year.  The Wellington region grew 1.0%.

The figures put Wellington city’s population at 195,500 as at June 2009.  Population growth in the last few years means the city is on track to excceding the official projections.

“Population growth is a good thing.  Not only it is a vote of confidence in Wellington, it is a crucial component of the increasing vibrancy and business vitality of the city,” said Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive Charles Finny.

“The authorities have an important job in capitalising on this population growth, ensuring infrastructural development keeps pace, and providing an environment so that growth can sustainably continue.

“Both the city’s and the region’s population growth has exceeded most expectations and we hope that the various agencies responsible for infrastructure development take account of the latest numbers in their planning.

“For example it strengthens the case for an improved roading connection between the CBD and the airport as well as improvements in public transport.

“Wellington city recorded a 960 person increase from net migration over the year (internal as well as international) which is a relatively large proportion of the increase.  Again this is a vote of confidence in the city although it is likely that a lot of the inward migration came from other Wellington TLAs - many of them into the central city - as opposed to from outside the region. 

“To meet the demand from projected economic and population growth the region needs to significantly increase investment in infrastructure generally,” Mr Finny concluded.
 
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