Kerikeri now our Auckland?

Population drift from Far North communities

The first census figures released this week suggest Kerikeri is becoming the Far North's Auckland.

Kerikeri's population grew 11.1 per cent in the seven years since the last census in 2006, while Kaitaia's fell 6.1 per cent, falling below 5000 (to 4887) for the first time in many years.

Kaikohe's fell 4.8 per cent (from 4113 to 3915), and Paihia's 2.7 per cent, from 1770 to 1772.

In total, the Far North's population fell 0.2 per cent, a little more than 100 souls, while Northland's rose 2.0 per cent. Like most regions, that was slower than the growth recorded between 2001 and 2006, which in Northland's case was almost 6 per cent.

Most Far North communities lost population during the seven years since the last census, Russell's falling more than 12 per cent, from 819 to 720.

Also down were Awanui, Ahipara, Kaeo, Matauri Bay, Kohukohu, Rawene, Omapere/Opononi, North and South Hokianga (by 13.9 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively), Opua, Kawakawa, Moerewa and Okaihau.

Houhora's population rose 11.1 per cent, to 930.

Analysts suggest the drift of Far Northerners to Auckland and Australia in search of work was likely to have offset population gains from immigration and natural growth, while the census has shown the decades-old drift from west to east was continuing.

The biggest percentage drop was in the North Hokianga, while Kerikeri, with a population of 6507, is easily the Far North's biggest town. Kapiro's population rocketed a tenth to 2685.

Waikato University demography professor Natalie Jackson, who spoke about the region's population trends at a recent panel discussion in Kerikeri on local government reform, said changes in the Far North reflected what was happening elsewhere in the North Island as rural areas emptied out.

The South Island, by contrast, was growing almost everywhere bar the West Coast.

Possible reasons included the amalgamation of farms, meaning fewer jobs for young people in rural areas, and an ageing population moving closer to health services.

Northland-based Labour MP Shane Jones campaigned to persuade Northland Maori to take part in the census to make sure they were properly represented in the country's population statistics, the uses of which include calculating the government funding of schools and hospitals.