Central Otago is growing faster than the New Zealand average according to provisional population estimates released by Stats NZ on October 25.

Central Otago’s population grew at 2.6% in the year ended June 2023.  

Nationally, the population grew by 2.1% (105,900 people) in the year ended June 2023, a significant increase from the growth of 0.1% in the previous year (5800 people).

Stats NZ estimates and projections manager Michael MacAskill said Otago’s high growth rate (2.7 per cent) was driven by population growth in Queenstown-Lakes district, New Zealand’s fastest-growing territorial authority area over the year.

The Queenstown Lakes district 8% increase was driven by a net international migration gain of 2500 people according to Stats NZ.

In Central Otago there was a net international migration gain of 190 people, and an internal migration gain of 430 people. This was more than half of Central Otago's population growth (65%) from net internal migration. 

Estimated population change for 10 areas with highest annual growth rates year ended June 2023. Yellow is net internal migration. PHOTO: Stats NZ 

Along with Central Otago, other territorial authority areas growing faster than the New Zealand average include Selwyn district (5.2%), Mackenzie district (3.6%), Hamilton city (3.4%), Auckland and Western Bay of Plenty district (both 2.8%), Waikato district (2.6%), Tauranga city (2.5%), and Waimakariri district (2.2%).

The population grew in all 16 regions of New Zealand in the year ended June 2023, according to provisional estimates released by Stats NZ, this follows two years of lower growth when several regions decreased in population.