Census figures revealing a population growth spurt in Ruakaka could be a reflection of strong support for a new Marsden City, a project that may include a new manufacturing plant and an IT university and data centre.
The 2013 Census shows the "usually resident" population for the Marsden Point-Ruakaka area has grown from 2913 in 2006 to 3543 in 2013 - the biggest population increase in the Whangarei district.
The Marsden City master agent for North Holdings developers, Peter Jennings, says the population surge has a lot to do with the increase in development, and it's only just the beginning.
He's in Whangarei today to meet a manufacturing industry leader in the hope of securing a manufacturing plant for Marsden City.
He said details would be announced once the agreement had been reached.