New Zealand's population grew by 37,700 (0.9%) during the June 2013 year, compared with 27,900 (0.6%) in the previous June year.
Population growth in the year to June 2013 was due to a natural increase (more births than deaths) of 29,800 and a net international migration gain (more arrivals than departures) of 7,900. Compared with the previous June year, natural increase has fallen by 1,300, while net international migration has increased by 11,100.
The natural increase for the year to June 2013 was the lowest since 2005, mainly due to fewer births.
The latest subnational population estimates give the best available measure of the size and age-sex composition of New Zealand's 16 regional council areas (regions) and 67 territorial authority areas, on an annual basis.
In the June 2013 year the estimates indicate: 13 of New Zealand's 16 regions experienced population growth. Auckland region had the largest percentage growth (1.4 percent) followed by Canterbury (1.3 percent).
Auckland region accounted for 57 percent of New Zealand's total population growth; Canterbury's growth accounted for 19 percent.
39 of the 67 territorial authority areas had population growth.
Of New Zealand's 16 regional council areas (regions) 13 had population growth in the June 2013 year. While Auckland dominated regional growth (1.4%) both Canterbury (1.3%) and Otago (0.9%) also grew more than the national average (0.9%).
The five fastest-growing territorial authority areas were in the South Island.
Christchurch city's population increased during 2013, following two years of decline.
For Canterbury, this reverses the decline seen in both 2011 (-0.9%) and 2012 (-0.3%). The population of Canterbury increased by 7,300 in the June 2013 year, which represents 19%t of the total population growth in New Zealand.
| Population density | people per km2 |
| Australia | 3 |
| New Zealand | 16 |
| USA | 32 |
| France | 102 |
| China | 140 |
| Germany | 228 |
| UK | 259 |
| Japan | 337 |
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