Stats NZ projects Rotorua's population will rise from 76,600 in 2023 to about 90,200 by 2053. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rotorua has earned the reputation of being a “very welcoming” city for migrants, with people from 66 countries now calling it home.
The city’s population is expected to rise steadily in the next 30 years, with growing migrant diversity helping shape the city’s future.
Stats NZ population projections show that from about 76,600 residents in 2023, Rotorua’s population could reach about 90,200 by 2053.
This is an increase of 13,600 people, an average annual growth rate of 0.5%.
Rotorua Multicultural Council president Margriet Theron told the Rotorua Daily Post the district was developing a reputation for being “very welcoming” to new migrants.
“We’ve got a very networked and connected community, and there are so many organisations that care about the migrants.”
Theron said people came to Rotorua most often for employment, or because they knew someone from their home country happy with their move.
“Word of mouth will be a big thing, and that will be contributing to Rotorua’s population growth.”
The Multicultural Council kept a record of the countries from which people were migrating, and recorded migrants from 66 different countries.
“It’s a substantial number, and it is very diverse with people from Russia, Ukraine and Bengal, a few from Africa, but large numbers from India, China and Australia.
“So we just provide this enveloping support structure for them.”
Andrette Brand immigrated to Rotorua from South Africa in 2023, and said the move had “honestly been a blessing”.
“Rotorua caught our hearts from the first time we arrived.”
Brand said she wanted a safe place where she could “start fresh” and give her family a better life.
“Rotorua gave us that feeling straight away. The people are very friendly, and we feel welcome everywhere we go. It is peaceful, and everything is close.”
She said, however, it had not been easy settling in, and the first challenge was the cost of living.
“Rent, food and daily basics are more expensive than we thought. We had to learn how to budget and plan better.”
Brand said even with the challenges, she was grateful because her family felt safe and was building a new future.
“Compared to where we have lived before, life here feels calmer and steadier, and we are proud to call Rotorua our home now.”
Tatiana Troshina, originally from Russia, has lived in Rotorua for two years with her husband and three children.
She said Rotorua was a “relatively small” city, which made it comfortable for family life.
“It feels easier to build connections here compared to large cities, and the overall pace of life is more relaxed, welcoming, and family-friendly.”
Troshina said public transport was a challenge for those without a car.
“It would be helpful to have a circular bus route, similar to the Hamilton Orbiter, so it’s easier to travel between different areas without changing buses.”
She said Rotorua had a good foundation, but continued investment would be important as the population grows.
“Ongoing development of public transport and care for the city centre would help maintain Rotorua’s beauty and liveability.”
Jean-Paul Gaston, Rotorua Lakes Council group manager of destination development, said Rotorua was in a “good position” to respond to what the community needed as it grew.
“Success for us is achieving our council’s vision of a better Rotorua for all.”
Gaston said the council’s long term plan included more than $560 million for water supply, wastewater, stormwater and transport infrastructure.
“Our 30-year infrastructure strategy takes growth into account to ensure we are investing at the right level and in the right places, and our district plan will continue to evolve to align with our district’s needs.”
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said the region had to focus on a couple of key priorities to remain a “top destination” to live and visit.
“The first will be around affordability. Second, the services that are delivered. Third, jobs, and then, of course, having housing.”
McClay said people were selling up and moving to Rotorua for lifestyle reasons.
“We know it’s a very attractive city, and we know that visitors from around the world want to be here.”
He said success for the city in 20 years should look the same as it does today.
“A vibrant city where people feel safe, feel secure, where there’s lots of opportunity, where the schools are providing high-quality education, where jobs are being created and where people love living here.”
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.