Auckland's population to hit 2 million in less than 20 years?

File photo / Greg Bowker

There are predictions Auckland's population will hit two million in less than 20 years.

It comes as Statistics New Zealand announces Auckland's 1.5 millionth person will arrive in the city this week.

Massey University sociologist Paul Spooney says Auckland's growth is largely driven by migration with 25,000 to 30,000 people arriving in Auckland every year.

He says if Auckland continues to grow at the same rate, he expects the city to reach two million people by 2030.

Mr Spooney says Auckland is growing at almost twice the rate of the rest of New Zealand.