South Island population reaches one million

The South Island's estimated resident population has exceeded one million for the first time, Statistics NewZealand said today.

An estimated 1,008,400 people lived in the South Island at 30 June 2007, an increaseof 9,600 (1.0 percent) from 30 June 2006.

Rapid growth in several territorial authority areas contributed to the South Island's population increase.

During the June 2007 year, Queenstown-Lakes District (5.5 percent) and Selwyn District (4.0 percent) hadthe highest population growth rates amongst New Zealand's 73 territorial authorities.

Waimakariri District(2.3 percent), Central Otago District (2.1 percent), Ashburton District (1.3 percent) and Christchurch City(1.1 percent) also had growth rates above the national average of 1.0 percent.

In the June 2007 year, the estimated resident population of the North Island grew by 33,800 (1.1 percent) toreach 3,219,000. During this period, the Auckland region, with a population increase of 23,000 (1.7percent), was New Zealand's fastest-growing region.

At 30 June 2007, 76 out of every 100 New Zealand residents lived in the North Island.