Five New Zealand regions have seen their population fall over the last year, including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Overall, the national population grew just 0.2 percent in the last year.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen explained why people were leaving the country in droves. The combination of Covid-19 and the living costs have made people want to seek out other opportunities.

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• Despite major growth, New Zealand's population set to drop
• RBNZ chief economist on New Zealand's 'optimum population'
• Auckland exodus: People leaving the big city, NZ population slightly up