NZ | Population Statistics Thread

[Svartmetall]

Actually that's very true, Bluffmaster. We came here hoping for a bigger house, nicer car and more space for our money than we could get in England. It's only since living here that I, and my family, have come to realise that these wants are unsustainable and vapid when considering quality of life. Unfortunately, many migrants from Europe still cling to the "BIGGER IS BETTER" philosophy.

This will change eventually though, and it's starting to change now.

[DML2]

Originally Posted by whizz_pat

We would actually be better off if the entire world population is reduced. We won't be facing huge spikes is food and petrol prices, as there will be less people to share our food and petrol with.

Definately, urban problems associated with large populations can be alleviated with decent planning and foresight. As some have pointed out, places like Germany, UK, Japan etc all have similar land areas to Auckland and are well off. However, assuming that the entire world can be well off with the same population densities as these countries is a mistake.

If you put 100 bacteria in a dish full of sugar, they will last longer that 10000 bacteria in the same dish. Similarly, in an Earth with finite resources, 6 billion people will be able to be sustained longer than 60 billion can be.

I sound too much like a greeny.

I don't want an increase in world population, I want an increase in NZ's population

[spotila]

I agree. Up not out.

[jarbury]

Interesting perspective svarty, I wonder if many others have the same sense of disappointment with the "spacious" New Zealand lifestyle. I think to truly enjoy what Auckland has to offer one should live somewhere in the inner-suburbs, preferably in the Western Bays. Nice houses but also a relatively high density of development and not the sense of isolation one must get way out on the edge of the city.

Whilst I'm still within a 2 stage bus ride of the city, I still feel further out than desirable. My next move will be to either the very inner-suburbs (if I can afford it) or not far over the harbour bridge so I can busway into town.

[Nicco]

If I could live anywhere in New Zealand, I would live in those central suburbs. Mt Eden, Epsom, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Orakei, Meadowbank, Parnell etc. (thats if I will ever afford it) Also, Takapuna, Birkenhead, Devonport are really nice.

[jarbury]

Parnell & Devonport are particularly nice suburbs, with some of Auckland's best late 19th and early 20th century housing stock. I wouldn't want to be too far into the eastern suburbs unless I was near a train station.

[Brisbaner21]

Recent Update:

4,287,714

[Davee]

Originally Posted by Brisbaner21

Recent Update:

4,287,714

Is it me - or does the national population seem to be climbing quickly? It only seemed like yesterday that the 4 million mark was reached.

[jarbury]

I think 4 million was passed in about 2002, so not that quick really. But yeah, considering it was three million and something forever it does seem like it's made its way towards 5 million fairly quickly.

I know that natural increase rates have been pretty high in the last few years.

[Davee]

Must be my age then

[nthbeach]

I believe that NZs population is supposed to peak at about 5.5 million in about 2050. What are the projections for the major cities? If NZ were to have a major influx of immigrants then I would a more concerted effort in encouraging them not all to live in Auckland. I believe the cities of Chch, Palmy, Hamilton and Tauranga would be easier to develop infrastructure than trying to fix up auckland and accomadate 3 million people. I would like to see auckland popn at 2mill MAX with Chch somewhere between 600,000 - 1 mill. Hamilton 400,000, Tauranga 300,000 and Palmy with 200,000.
Again just dreaming, doubt there will ever be much foresight planning done in the capital. When a govt only has 3 years to do its thing, its always about the current day.

[Svartmetall]

I'm not sure I'd like to see Chch with up to 1 million living there! Chch would require a huge amount of infrastructure investment to get it up to the level where it could support that kind of population, much the same as Auckland does now. ~600,000 would be more comfortable, though it'd still need a fair amount of investment.

[nthbeach]

Yes 1 million in chch would would not be ideal in the forseeable future. I was just considering the fact that new zealand cities seem to be hell-bent on city sprawl and less higher-density, I think chch would be well-suited for a large city with its unlimited boundaries it would be a lot easier to build motorwasy and rail (how big? thats up to the imgination)

[Brisbaner21]

For New Zealand's population, percentage growth is pretty good, and the raw numbers are great. Remember, New Zealand has a small population, your not going to see some 200-300,000 people a month like the U.S. Small population = small growth, but percentage wise, New Zealand is doing great, and shouldn't expect anything more.

[Blah]

Originally Posted by Brisbaner21

For New Zealand's population, percentage growth is pretty good, and the raw numbers are great. Remember, New Zealand has a small population, your not going to see some 200-300,000 people a month like the U.S. Small population = small growth, but percentage wise, New Zealand is doing great, and shouldn't expect anything more.

Being from Queensland you may know this. What area has the larger population? NZ or Qld? And who is growing faster?

[nthbeach]

checked it out. Who would of thought? Australian Bureau of Statistics have qld pop at 4,253,200 as at 31 march 2008. Quoting Brisbaner21 NZ has 4,287,714 therefore NZ has approx 34500 more residents. Not sure who is growing faster, im sure somwone does though.

[nthbeach]

So I had to check this out. If NZ were to be the 7th state of aust where would it rank?
NSW - 6,947,000
Vic - 5,247,000
NZ - 4,288,000
Qld - 4,253,000
WA - 2,150,000
SA - 1,598,000
Tas - 497,000
ACT - 343,000
NT - 218,000

Doing not too bad.

[jarbury]

In terms of area, Queensland is masses bigger than New Zealand I would guess. Interesting their similar populations.

There must be hardly anything in South Australia outside Adelaide.

[Blah]

Originally Posted by nthbeach

checked it out. Who would of thought? Australian Bureau of Statistics have qld pop at 4,253,200 as at 31 march 2008. Quoting Brisbaner21 NZ has 4,287,714 therefore NZ has approx 34500 more residents. Not sure who is growing faster, im sure somwone does though.

Interesting. Had a look as well - seems Qld is growing really fast. They were only 4 million 3 years ago, so I suspect they will overtake us soon. I think we were 4 million about 5 years ago.

[Blah]

Actually, I take that back We hit four million in 2005 as well. So growth must be pretty even. It's a race!