Total Population Growth [2]

In the first half of this decade there was a dramatic increase in the number of people in Christchurch. Between 1991 and 1996 the City’s total population increased by just over 21,000 people or 7.2 percent, from 292,858 to 313,969 people. Nationally the total population grew by 6.6 percent.

 

The rate of population increase experienced between 1991 and 1996 departed significantly from the City’s previous growth pattern. For example, during the period 1986-1991, the City’s total population increased by 6,257 people or 2.2 percent. While growth in the previous five years, from 1981-1986, was also relatively low at 8,643 people or 3 percent.

 

Between 1991 and 1996, Christchurch experienced the third highest numeric population growth of all the local authorities in the country behind Auckland City (38,002) and Manukau (28,430). Christchurch City also recorded the greatest numeric growth in the South Island (Table 1.1).

 

Table 1.1 Changes in Total Population for Selected Local Authorities, 1986-1996
Territorial Local Authority	1986 Total Population	1991 Total Population		1996 Total Population (Provisional)	Increase or Decrease (-) 1986 - 1991		Increase or Decrease (-) 1991 - 1996
City	Number				Number	Percent	Number		Percent
Auckland	301,435	315,668		353,670	14,223	4.7	38,002		12.0
Manukau	206,754	226,147		254,577	19,393	9.4	28,430		12.6
Christchurch	286,601	292,858		313,969	6,257	2.2	21,111		7.2
North Shore	144,153	152,134		170,913	7,981	5.5	18,779		12.3
Waitakere	122,598	136,716		153,241	14,118	11.5	16,525		12.1
Wellington	149,859	150,301		158,275	442	0.3	7,974		5.3
Hamilton	95,373	101,448		108,469	6,075	6.4	7,021		6.9
Nelson	36,065	37,943		40,905	1878	5.2	2,962		7.8
Dunedin	114,230	116,577		118,892	2,347	2.1	2,315		2.0
Napier	52,531	51,645		53,957	-886	-1.7	2,312		4.5
Palmerston North	66,836	70,318		72,428	3482	5.2	2,110		3.0
Lower Hutt	95,340	94,540		94,809	-800	-0.8	269		0.3
Upper Hutt	37,292	37,092		36,407	-200	-0.5	-685		-1.8
Porirua	45,672	46,601		45,844	929	2.0	-757		-1.6
Invercargill	57,042	56,148		53,177	-894	-1.6	-2,971		-5.3
New Zealand	3,307,084	3,434,950		3,660,364	127,866	3.9	225,414		6.6

Population growth in the districts surrounding Christchurch has a significant impact on the City’s natural, physical and social resources and contributes to the local economy. In the past five years all Christchurch’s neighbouring districts experienced significant growth. Between 1991 and 1996, the population of the Waimakariri District increased by 4,281 people (15.4 percent) from 27,862 to 32,143. Banks Peninsula District increased by 1,072 (14.0 percent) from 7,639 to 8,711. While Selwyn District grew by 3,627 (17.0 percent) from 21,359 to 24,986 (Figure 1.1).

 

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