Little Olivia's just one in four million

By THERESA GARNER

When little Olivia Benns came into the world last night, there was no doubt that she was one in four million.

Olivia (3741g, or 8lb 4oz) was born at 6.25pm at National Women's Hospital in Auckland, almost an hour after the time statisticians had selected as the moment when New Zealand's population would tip over the four million mark.

A baby is born in New Zealand every 9 1/2 minutes, but none of Auckland's new babies made an appearance right on the dot of 5.30pm.

Howick mother Rachel Benns, 29, said she had never expected her baby to arrive near the milestone, because she was not due until early next month.

After reading about the imminent milestone, her father had joked that she should go for the celebrated spot.

But after Mrs Benns' 20 hours in labour, the family were just grateful Olivia made an appearance when she did.

Olivia's father, Grant, 32, said the birth was exciting, after the arrival of big sister Jessica in 2000.

"I reckon it's pretty special. Her sister is a millennium baby and now we've got a 'four million' baby."

Although Statistics New Zealand had estimated the country's population reached four million at 5.30pm yesterday, it was impossible to say for certain who the person was.

No one knows if the celebrated four millionth New Zealander is a newborn, someone who stepped off a plane or someone sworn in as a citizen yesterday.

In the country's only citizenship ceremony yesterday, the Tasman District Council swore in 17 new citizens from Britain, Germany, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa and China.

But Auckland Mayor John Banks claimed the four millionth person was most likely to be an Aucklander.

Auckland is New Zealand's fastest-growing region, with its population set to reach 1.65 million by 2021.

Mr Banks said the region grew by the size of Dunedin every four years.

"This should be of grave concern to the dwindling number of people living at the bottom of the South Island who have not yet seen the light."

He said one great thing about Auckland's population was its diversity, with one in three residents born overseas.

"In 50 years, Maori and Pacific people will make up 50 per cent of Auckland's population."


Population Counter
Continuously updated by Statistics New Zealand