N.Z. population growth slows

Press, 17 November 1981, Page 2

N.Z. population growth slows

PA Wellington The population of New Zealand increased by only 1.5 per cent between 1976 and 1981, according to final census figures released yesterday. In the five years to 1976, the population increase was 9.3 per cent. New Zealand’s population now officially stands at 3,175,737 — an increase of 46,354 over the 1976 census figure. The results indicate that people are still drifting north, although at a slower rate than before. The population of the North Island increased by

54,596, or 2.4 per cent, since 1976, while the South Island’s population declined by 8242, (1 per cent).

Of the northern statistical areas, Taranaki (1.8 per cent) and Wellington (0.9 per cent) showed population, .declines, while in the South Island, the populations of Westland, Canterbury, Otago and Southland declined.

The number of occupied dwellings, at the 1981 census totalled 1,011,880, an increase of 78,620 (8.4 per cent) since 1976.

This compares with a rate of increase of 15.2 per cent in the five-year period between the censuses of 1971 and 1976.