Wanganui's population has bucked the national trend by decreasing, rather than increasing, in the past year.
The population fell by 100 to an estimated 43,400 in the year ending June 30, according to Statistics New Zealand estimates.
The national average regional growth rate was 1.5 per cent.
Natural increase, the number of births offsetting deaths, was up in Wanganui by 100, but net migration was down 200.
The population in the 65-plus age group grew by 200 to 8500, while all other age groups' populations were down by 100.