The next-highest population growth for the North Island was Tauranga at 10 per cent, while the highest in New Zealand was Selwyn district in Canterbury at 32.6 per cent.
Mr Mark said his only surprise is that everyone was surprised by the figures.
"We've been telling people this for how long?"
Mr Mark declared the data finally put to bed "the misinformation and lies that have been thrown around about Wairarapa.
"That misinformation would have people believe Wairarapa is dying, is stagnant, is ageing, couldn't support itself. I'm sick and tired of hearing it.
"These people can eat their words - they can now read it in black and white. The growth of the region was always going to be Wairarapa."
Mr Mark said Carterton had seen such positive growth for several reasons.
"The way council staff interact with developers has had a very strong impact. We often hear from builders, they enjoy doing business in Carterton. They don't have issues and challenges."
He said the Carterton Event Centre demonstrated the town wanted to invest in itself.
"And there's value for money. We have people from different ends of the social spectrum, selling a very expensive home in Wellington, Auckland, and moving to Carterton and going freehold.
"We've seen elderly people sell up, go freehold, have money in the bank, go travelling."
The train station in the centre of town meant people could walk to the station, and walk to work in Wellington.
"People are moving here from the Kapiti coast, and if they want to be in Wellington, they can be there in an hour."
He said Wairarapa was "on the verge" of taking off.
"Those people that have moved here from Auckland, those doomsayers should ask them why they are coming to Wairarapa. This is proof, that Wairarapa has been growing quietly."
