Population drift to north slowing?

Press, 6 July 1977, Page 14

Population drift to north slowing?

PA Wellington A Statistics Departmeni publication has indicated the drift of population to northern cities may be slowing down. The publication, which lists the location and increase of population results of the 1976 Census, shows that 0n1y77 per cent of the country’s population increase from 1971-76 was in the 18 main centres. This compares with 98 per cent in 1966-71. Simultaneously, the South Island’s rate of growth increased from 3.5 per cent in 1966-71 to 6.1 per cent in 1971-76, while the North Island’s rate, though still higher, rose from 8.3 per cent to 10.6 per cent. The increase in the North Island's proportion of the total population — from 71.7 to 72.5 per cent — was the smallest proportional increase since 1945-51. The publication, which is dated March but which was not released until re-

cently. says that in 196671 there was a net migration loss from the South Island to the North Island and to overseas of 16,500. However, in the latest five years, the South Island shared in the national migration gams to the extent of 10,000 people. Otago, Westland, and Taranaki all showed actual population declines in the earlier period, but gains in the latest one. Wanganui, which was the only main urban area to use people in 1966-71, increased its population bv 1697 in 1971-76. Only 14 towns with populations between 1000 and 10,000 lost people in the latest period, compared with 28 in the previous period. Within the main centres, the small towns around the district rather than the central urban concentrations gained most, for the first time. In both Wellington and Hamilton, the gain to localities beyond the main urban sector accounted for more than 20 per cent of

those centres’ total increases.

In all 18 main centres together the growth rate of 10.6 per cent in 1971-76 was still above the national average of 9.3 per cent. However, it was only slightly above their 196671 increase of 10.4 per. cent, and well down on increases of 15.7 per cent in 1961-66 and 14.9 per cent in 1956-61.

The publication notes that Auckland’s 14.2 per cent growth rate, though down from 14.4 per cent in the previous period, is still the fastest in the country. It compares with 7.9 per cent in Wellington and 7.6 per cent in Christchurch.

The publication also notes that Nelson, with 11.7 per cent, was the only South Island city to grow faster than the average for the 18 urban centres of 10.6 per cent. The publication is titled “1976 Census of Population and Dwellings, Volume IA.” It is subtitled “Location and Increase of Population."