Latest from Population

NZ No 5 on world prosperity list
New Zealand has been rated the fifth most prosperous nation to live in, according to an international report.

Auckland job market boom
City's unemployment at lowest level since 2011 with average pay up to $1135 a week, writes Anne Gibson.

Net migrant inflow at 10-year high
Jump in arrivals will put further pressure on Auckland and Christchurch housing stocks, says economist.

Auckland grows, rural areas decline
Super City's population nudging 1.5m while there were falls in many regional centres and country areas in the North Island.

Kiwis work longer, but produce less
New Zealanders work longer hours than the average of their peers in other developed countries but produce a fifth less, a new report finds.

Boom in the over 65 population - stats
The New Zealand population aged 65 and over has doubled since the early 1980s and is likely to double again by 2040, Statistics New Zealand says.

Sudhir Rajagopalan: Auckland's awesome, so stop whingeing
Auckland is unique because few cities can claim to be both a world-class urban centre and a beautiful garden city with so much scope for outdoor activities, writes Sudhir Rajagopalan.

Bernard Hickey: Regions may need help to stay alive
Natalie Jackson's presentation about ageing to Local Government NZ's annual conference in Hamilton this week was a sobering look into the future, says Bernard Hickey.

Brian Fallow: Rising inequality largely a myth
The idea that New Zealand has become one of the most unequal societies in the developed world is just not supported by the data, writes Brian Fallow.

Loiterers intimidating Hamilton locals
A Hamilton radio personality - sick of his fiance being leered at and heckled - wants action to address antisocial behaviour in the central city's plaza.

Gwynne Dyer: Population growth simply unsustainable
The news on the population front sounds bad: birth rates are not dropping as fast as expected.

Flow of migrants to Oz slowing
More Australians are coming to New Zealand and fewer Kiwis are crossing the Tasman in the latest sign that the grass may not be greener across the Ditch.

Abortion rate lowest since 1995
The number of abortions performed has fallen to its lowest rate in almost 20 years,

Council hedges bets on extra million
The Auckland Council is talking up another one million residents in the city by 2041, but it is taking a prudent line when it comes to providing services.

Eric Watson: In praise of life in high-intensity housing
An issue at the heart of Auckland's draft unitary plan is whether the density of housing should be raised in parts of the city.

Turning back from Oz dream
New Zealanders are beginning to realise the Australian dream is not so perfect and the grass may in fact be starting to become greener over here.

Dr Ann Bartos & John Mauro: Learn from other cities
Seattle's an economic engine, a leader in sustainability and a hub for culture and creativity, writes Dr Ann Bartos and John Mauro. It could easily be Auckland.

John Palino: Council hasn't tried hard enough
We have a huge growth challenge in our city, but with that challenge we have an equally great opportunity, writes Auckland mayoral candidate Joe Palino.

Christine Rose: No wonder Aucklanders are angry
The draft plan and the housing accord have led to fear, uncertainty and distrust in both the process and in those promulgating the plan, writes Christine Rose.

Editorial: Govt must do better at promoting share sales
Editorial: Naturally enough, the Government was keen to put the entire blame for what happened on "politicking" by Labour and the Greens.

Joel Cayford: Unitary Plan must recognise importance of neighbours
Auckland Council's draft Unitary Plan is under attack as people engage with its implications for their backyards and neighbourhoods, writes Joel Cayford. The question confronting city planners and councillors should be how to fix the plan,

Bryan Jackson: First ask who wants another million
Who wants another million people in Auckland? Len Brown does. Auckland City Councillors do. Auckland town planners do. The Government does. I don't, writes Bryan Jackson.

David Gibbs: The Big Squeeze - we can all fit if sections are smaller
Sections of 300sq m are still bigger than we need for a good-sized three-to-four bedroom house, and way too big for a terrace house, writes David Gibbs.

Most immigrants feel they belong in NZ
The majority of migrants to New Zealand feel they belong here, according to new analysis from Statistics New Zealand.