Wairoa population continues to drop

Wairoa is one of only three North Island territorial authorities to have experienced a population decline. Photo / Duncan Brown

Wairoa is one of only three North Island territorial authorities to have experienced a population decline.

According to Statistics New Zealand, the northern Bay district lost 20 people, with its population dropping from 8200 to 8180 over the past 12 months.

This decline is on the back of a 100 person drop in population from 8300 to 8200 between the years 2013 to 2014.

Moreover, a quarter of the district's population is aged 0-14 years, well above the national average of 20 per cent.

Last month Wairoa Mayor Craig Little told Hawke's Bay Today he was certain new Census results would reflect an upturn in population, not a decline, as more people were choosing to "come home". He did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

Wairoa District Council (WDC) acting chief executive officer Helen Montgomery dismissed the figures, saying statistical modelling is one thing.

"Can I suggest coming to Wairoa and meet some of the new families who have decided to move here or more importantly return home because of some of the good things that are happening in Wairoa?" she asked.

Ms Montgomery said the council had worked to make Wairoa an attractive option for people to come home to or move there.

But, she acknowledged there was more work to be done. She said the high cost of living made Wairoa attractive to families who could set up business in the area at a fraction of the cost when compared to somewhere like Auckland.

Another reason people are looking to Wairoa she said, was that businesses like Rocket Lab were wanting to set up shop there.

"Statistical modelling aside, our experience is that more and more people and their families are choosing to move or return to Wairoa," Ms Montgomery said.
Central Hawke's Bay saw the biggest population spike with a 1.5 per cent or 200 people increase to its population.

Hastings and Napier districts each experienced a 0.7 per cent increase in population, with 500 and 400 people added to each area respectively.

Overall, the whole Hawke's Bay experienced 0.7 per cent increase in its population with 1100 more people in the region than this time last year.

Further afield, StatisticsNZ reports 15 of New Zealand's 16 regions have experienced population growth.

Auckland had the fastest population growth, increasing by 2.9 per cent or 43,500, and accounting for half New Zealand's total growth.

"New Zealand experienced a rise in net migration in the June 2015 year, with more people arriving and fewer departing," population statistics manager Joel Watkins said.

"The rise in net migration, together with natural increase, has bolstered population
growth in most of New Zealand's regions."

Selwyn remained the fastest-growing territorial authority area, increasing by 3200, or 6.5 per cent in the June 2015 year.

The next fastest-growing territorial authority areas were Queenstown-Lakes, up 4.9 per cent, Waimakariri, up 3.6 per cent, Auckland, up 2.9 per cent, and Mackenzie, up 2.7 per cent.