After 27 years, a new rival has overtaken Tauranga as New Zealand's fastest growing city.

New data shows that in the year to June 2023, Hamilton grew by 3.4 percent while Tauranga only grew by 2.5 percent.

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate says a new uptick in migration and high birth rates have contributed to this population boom.

"We're a very young city, our median age is 33. So families are choosing to put down roots and stay here."

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