URBAN AREA GROWTH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29554, 1 July 1961, Page 14

URBAN AREA GROWTH

Census Figures Provisional urban area populations from the census of April 18, 1961, have revealed a growth rate in urban areas generally in excess of that for the whole country, says the Government Statistician (Mr J. V. T. Baker). An urban area consists of a central city or large borough together with the adjacent areas regarded as suburban to it.

Only four urban areas have recorded increases less than the percentage increase for the whole country (11.04 per cent.). These are Dunedin (5.72 per cent!), Timaru (6.99 per cent.), Wellington (8.85 per cent.), and Gisborne (10.79 per cent ). Hamilton recorded the largest increase, with a rise of 24 per cent. Then came Napier (19 per cent.), Auckland (13 per cent.), and Invercargill and Hastings (IV per cent.). Increases in Hutt, New Plymouth, Palmerston North. Christchurch. Nelson and Wanganui range from 15 per cent, to 11 per cent. As a group, the 15 urban areas have added 171.0001 to their population, or 14.26 per cent. By far the largest numerical gain is recorded in the Auckland urban area, which has added than 67.000 to the population. Other substantial numerical gains are recorded by Christ, church (27.000). Hutt (13.000). Wellington (12.000) and Hamilton (almost 10.000). the latter's increase being sufficient to out the population over 50.000. The Auckland urban area, with a population of 448.000. is more than twice as big as the Christchurch urban area, which has 220.000. The Weilington and Hutt urban areas together total almost 250,000. but the combined increase for these two urban areas (25.000) is less than the 27.000 gain in Christchurch. The five urban areas in the South Island have added 43.000 to their population, which represents 81 per cent of the total gain of 53,000 in the South Island. In comparison, the 10 North Island urban areas have added 128.000 to their population representing 68 per cent of; the total North Island gain of' 187.000. Mr Baker says that three new urban areas will soon be created for Whangarei, Tauranga, and Rotorua.