Auckland's population grew by 42,700 people last year, as Christchurch's population passed 2011 pre-quake levels for the first time. (Photo \ Edward Swift)

Auckland fastest-growing NZ city as Christchurch rebounds

Author: NZ Newswire,
Publish Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2017, 1:52PM

Christchurch's population took a hit after the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, but thousands have returned to the city seven years on.

Figures from Stats NZ show the city's population is sitting at 381,500, which is well above its pre-quake population of 376,300 in 2010.

It's the first time in seven years that the population has risen to its pre- quake levels.

The earthquakes saw a drastic drop in the population, with around 20,000 people leaving the city, with the 2012 population sitting at 355,100.

Christchurch Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner says the numbers are a positive sign that Christchurch is getting back on its feet, and the regeneration is well on its way.

Meanwhile, it's Auckland that has the fastest growing population in New Zealand, having grown 42,700 to 1.66 million, with 28,900 more people arriving than leaving, as of June 2017.

The West Coast was the only region with a declining population, falling from 33,100 in 2012 to 32,400 in 2017.