Jacques Poot, professor of population economics at Waikato University, is this year's recipient of the NZIER Economics Award.
His research included topics such as transtasman migration, local labour and housing markets and regional development, NZIER chairman Michael Walls said.
"Professor Poot's work has attracted worldwide interest, and he is one of the most cited economists internationally in his field," Walls said.
"Much of the current policy focus is on how to deal with growing cities, migration, and an ageing population," he said.
"His contributions over the years have given researchers and policy-makers much-needed insights into the causes and effects of population change."