Overall, the population for Whangarei is estimated to rise from 90,600 to 105,000, Kaipara from 22,600 to 25,200 and the Far North from 62,900 to 64,900 over the next two decades.
Ms Li and her 17-year-old daughter fell in love with New Zealand when they first visited the country for five days in October last year.
Both returned in December and Ms Li enrolled her daughter in a high school in Auckland while Ms Li has since moved to Whangarei, where she lives with her Maori partner.
"I like nature - beach, flowers, meeting people - and that's why Whangarei is a good place for me, while Auckland is full of buildings and people," she said.
She is studying English at the Whangarei Migrant Centre and also volunteers there.
The population increase for Maori in Northland is expected to be the biggest of all ethnic groups. Statistics NZ is predicting an additional 21,200 Maori - from 60,200 next year to 81,400 in 2038. Of that 21,200, Whangarei will account for nearly 62 per cent, or 13,100.
Far North mayor John Carter said the country's northernmost district needed to attract and retain workers with skills in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and tourism industries.
"Migration will always play an important part in our economic growth strategy, because we have a highly dependent population - a high percentage of older and very young
residents."
Infrastructure needs and population were linked and Mr Carter said that under current funding regimes the Far North District Council would need to increase its population to provide, maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure.
Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai said the migrant community was a huge contributor to the character, skills and culture of the district.
"Growth will mean more work in the construction area, we know the farming sector could expand, we need more truck drivers - the list is endless really, and migrants make significant contributions across our skilled workforce."