14 August 2018

The estimated resident population of New Zealand reached 4,885,300 at 30 June 2018, Stats NZ said today.

New Zealand’s population change is a result of natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration (international migrant arrivals minus departures).

“Net migration has been the main driver of population growth in recent years, reaching a peak of 72,400 migrants in the July 2017 year,” population insights senior manager Brooke Theyers said.

“However, natural increase continues to contribute around 30,000 people a year.”

The latest population figure is up 443,200 from 30 June 2013, which is equivalent to adding the population of the Waikato region since 2013.

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 mid-2019 after 2018 Census results are available.

Population grows 1.9 percent for the year

New Zealand’s population grew 1.9 percent in the June 2018 year, down slightly from 2.1 percent in 2017. These growth rates are high by historical standards and compare with the latest growth rates of 1.6 percent for Australia and 1.2 percent for the global population.

The decline was mainly driven by an increase in migrant departures. Migrant arrivals and births were both down slightly, and deaths were up slightly from 2017. See Annual net migration down 7,400 from peak in 2017 for more information.

The small increase in deaths was driven by the growing proportion of the population in the older ages. Almost three-quarters of a million people are aged 65 plus in New Zealand, up 40 percent from a decade ago.

Text alternative for Components of NZ population change, year ended 30 June 2018.

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< >Text alternative for Components of NZ population change, year ended 30 June 2018

Diagram shows natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration (arrivals minus departures) causing the growth of New Zealand’s estimated resident population over the past year.

60,200 live births (down 0.7%) minus 33,700 deaths (up 4.3%) contributed 26,500 people to the population growth by natural increase.

The arrival of 129,500 permanent and long-term migrants to New Zealand (down 1.4%) and the departure of 64,500 permanent and long-term migrants (up 9.3%), resulted in a net migration gain of 65,000 people.

The result is a total estimated resident population growth of 91,500 people.

Note: Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. Percentage changes are indicative of the June

For more information about these statistics:

• Visit National population estimates: At 30 June 2018

• See More women are over 30, and more men are under 30

• See CSV files for download
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