Population set to soar as reputation grows

Whangarei's population, already the sixth fastest growing in New Zealand, is set to soar by nearly 22 percent - or 17,000 extra people - in the next nine years.
According to a Whangarei District Council report, Population Trends of the Whangarei District, the population of the district could reach 100,000 by 2036.
It predicts population growth of 22 percent between now and 2016.
This comes after Whangarei was the sixth fastest growing district nationally in the 2006 Census with a population growth of 9.1 percent, well above the national average of 7.8 percent.
The report analyses population trends from 2006-2014 to plan future infrastructure development and funding levels. It includes information from the 2006 Census.
The district's population is projected to increase from 74,271 last year to 81,370 in 2011 and pass the 100,000 mark by 2036.
Regional economic development boss Brian Roberts, from Enterprise Northland, said the predicted growth rate was realistic, but the key was how that growth was managed.
"Given the improved transport links south, further development of industry and infrastructure and interest being shown in Whangarei, those figures are realistic," Mr Roberts said.
"The challenge for the council is where to encourage that growth to be and to make sure there is a plan to manage it."
Overseas was a major source of new residents as Whangarei businesses increasingly looked for people with skills they could not find here, he said.
"They bring money to invest in the district and skills we need. We are working with Whangarei businesses targeting specific skills from overseas."
Mr Roberts said reaching a critical mass of 100,000 people would bring other benefits, such as making air travel more viable.
The report says at the current growth rate, the maximum population the district can handle - 285,704 - could be reached by the year 2235, if all residential properties are subdivided to their minimum size.
Areas that will lead the population growth between 2006-2016 are Marsden Pt-Ruakaka, Waiotira-Springfield, Te Hihi, Waipu and Three Mile Bush.
Between 2016-2041, leading growth areas will be Springs Flat, Waipu, Three Mile Bush, Port-Limeburners and Punaruku-Kiripaka.
Rural residential areas are the fastest growing areas while urban areas are the slowest.
In Whangarei's urban area, including Hikurangi, 647 vacant residential properties already exist which could be subdivided into an additional 7826 homes for an extra 20,348 people.
Most of the vacant properties are located in Tikipunga West, Raumanga West, Kamo East, Sherwood Rise and Onerahi.
Even at the current population growth and development, there will be unused capacity for 70,000 homes and 130,000 undeveloped residential properties by 2021.
The district has more than enough residential properties to cater for an additional 20,649 people without the need to rezone land.
Without further subdivision, there is potential for about 647 new residential homes in the urban area that could accommodate an additional 1682 people.
In the coastal areas, about 1300 new homes could be built for 3380 people.
The report will be tabled at the council's environmental services committee meeting on Thursday.
* "Beautiful surroundings, great for family'
Dutch couple Peter and Gwen Ras spent two weeks in Northland assessing the best place to live in before deciding to settle in Whangarei.
Formerly of Arnhem in the eastern Netherlands, they have even started their own business and are keen to own a home after arriving in Whangarei in October last year.
The family is part of a Whangarei population growth that shows no signs of abating.
Ms Ras works as a communication officer at Settlement Support New Zealand, a Government-funded initiative designed to help new migrants settle into Whangarei.
Ms Ras said her sister-in-law moved from the Netherlands to Kerikeri four years ago and started a holiday park.
"She spoke very positively about the opportunities here and the environment to raise our children was also good," she said.
The couple has two three-year-old daughters, Jolijn and Marike, and a son, Peterjan, five.
"We came to Northland two years ago and moved around to see the best place to live in.
"Then we went back to the Netherlands and decided that Whangarei was the best place," Ms Ras said.
"We love it here because of the beautiful surroundings.
"We both believe Whangarei is a developing district, it's close to Auckland and it's a good place to raise our children."
Ms Ras said the family was surprised to see the mix of ethnicities in Whangarei, which she said would contribute to the growth of the district.