Household Numbers to Grow in Most Regions

Household Numbers to Grow in Most Regions

The number of households is projected to increase in 15 of New Zealand's 16 regions between 2001 and 2021, according to 2001-base subnational family and household projections released by Statistics New Zealand.

Auckland Region is expected to have the fastest growth over this period, with the number of households increasing by 189,000 (45 percent), from 419,000 in 2001 to 609,000 in 2021. Bay of Plenty Region (up 38 percent), Tasman Region (up 34 percent) and Nelson Region (up 28 percent) are also projected to experience growth rates above the national average of 26 percent.

A household is defined as one person usually living alone, or two or more people usually living together and sharing facilities, in a private dwelling.

About 83 percent of the growth in households is projected to occur in the North Island. Household numbers in the North Island are projected to increase by 314,000 (29 percent), from 1.07 million in 2001 to 1.38 million by 2021. In the South Island the number of households will increase by 63,000 (17 percent), from 370,000 to 433,000, over the same period.

The projections indicate that household growth is likely in most areas of New Zealand, including some areas with population decline. Although 39 territorial authorities are projected to have fewer people in 2021 compared with 2001, 23 of these areas are projected to have more households in 2021. The projections also indicate that household change will not be uniform over the 20-year period.

Queenstown-Lakes District is the territorial authority projected to experience the largest percentage increase in households between 2001 and 2021, up 74 percent from 7,000 to 12,000.

The four cities in Auckland Region are likely to experience the greatest numerical growth in households over the same period. Auckland City is projected to increase by 61,000 to 202,000, Manukau City by 44,000 to 133,000, North Shore City by 29,000 to 99,000 and Waitakere City by 28,000 to 87,000. Together, these four cities account for 43 percent of the projected national growth in households.

Average household size is projected to decrease in all territorial authorities, because of an increasing proportion of one-person households and a decrease in the average size of family households. These changes are mainly attributable to ageing of the population, with about three-quarters of people in one-person households being 45 years and over. One-person households are projected to increase in all 16 regions and 74 territorial authorities between 2001 and 2021.

For most areas, the projections indicate more 'couple without children' families and fewer 'two-parent' families. In 2001, 'two-parent families' were the most common family type for just over half of all territorial authorities. In 2021, 'couple without children' families are projected to be the most common family type for nearly all territorial authorities. The exceptions are Manukau City, where 'two-parent' families will still be the most common family type; and Porirua City, which is projected to have equal numbers of 'couple without children' families and 'two-parent' families.

A family is defined as a couple, with or without children, or one parent with children, usually living together in a household. 'Couple without children' families include couples who will never have children, couples who will have children in the future, and couples whose children have left the parental home.

Ian Ewing

Acting Government Statistician

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