Population climbs above 4.1 million

More births than deaths and a larger permanent and long-term migration gain have helped push New Zealand's population to 4.14 million, Statistics NZ said today.

The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4,140,300 at June 30, 2006.

The population increased by 41,400 (1.0 per cent) in the June 2006 year, compared with 37,400 (0.9 per cent) in the June 2005 year.

Government Statistician Brian Pink said the higher population growth during the June 2006 year was due to a larger natural increase - excess of births over deaths - and a larger permanent and long-term migration gain.

The number of people coming into New Zealand, permanent and long-term, exceeded departures by 10,700 in the June 2006 year, compared with a net migration gain of 8600 in the June 2005 year.

Half of the female population was over the age of 36.7 years and half of the males were over 34.9 years at June 30, this year.

"The age composition of the population has also changed over the last decade," Mr Pink said.

Between 1996 and 2006, the number of children aged from 0 to 14 grew by 16,100 or 1.9 per cent. However, since June 2004 the number of children had decreased by 9700 or 1.1 per cent, to 875,600 this year.

Up to this year, children accounted for 21.1 per cent of the population.

People aged 15-64 years accounted for 66.5 per cent of the population at this time. During the last decade, this age group increased by 309,300 (12.7 per cent) to 2,751,700 in 2006.

The 65-plus age group grew by 82,900 (19.3 per cent) over the same period, to reach 513,000 this year.

The median age of the population aged 15-64 years was 38.8 years, up from 36.3 years in 1996. Similarly, the median age of those aged 65 years and over increased from 73.4 to 74.2 years over the same decade.

- NZPA