Tauranga's population grew by 1900 during the year ending June 30, according to Statistics New Zealand estimates.
The 1.6 per cent increase brought the estimated population of Tauranga to 121,700.
Net migration was the biggest factor affecting increases, boosting the population by 1300. Natural increase, the number of births offsetting deaths, contributed the other 600.
The most significant population growth was in the 65-plus age group, which increased by 1000 to 23,700.
The 40-64 age group had a 600 increase to 38,800, and the 15-39 age group increased by 300 to 34,400.
The youngest group, 0-14 years, had doubled to 24,800. The national average regional growth rate was 1.5 per cent.
Most regions experienced population growth in the past year, due largely to an increase in New Zealand's gain from permanent and long-term migration, which grew from 7900 in the June 2013 year to 38,300 to June.
"New Zealand experienced a rise in net migration in the June 2014 year because of more people arriving and fewer people leaving the country on a permanent or long-term basis," population statistics manager Vina Cullum said.
"The rise in net migration, together with natural increase, has bolstered population growth in most of New Zealand's regions."
Regionally, Auckland and Canterbury's populations grew the fastest in the country.
In the 12 months to June 30, Auckland's population grew by 34,000 or 2.3 per cent, while Canterbury's grew by 11,400 or 2 per cent.
Selwyn remained the fastest-growing territorial authority area, increasing 2700 or 5.8 per cent in the year to June.
The next fastest-growing territorial authority areas were: Waimakariri, up 4.1 per cent; Queenstown-Lakes, up 4 per cent; Carterton, up 2.3 per cent; and Auckland, up 2.3 per cent.