Auckland population projected to reach 2 million by 2033

Tauranga, April 16 (Yaoxin) — Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, is projected to reach a population of 2 million by 2033, with international migration now serving as the primary driver of its growth, according to a report released by Stats NZ on Wednesday.

The city’s population has doubled since the early 1980s, reaching 1.82 million as of June 2025, data from Statistics New Zealand shows.

The 2023 census revealed that 43 percent of Auckland’s residents were born overseas — nearly double the national average of 22 percent. Of these, almost half were born in Asia, while a further 8 percent originated from Pacific Island nations.

Stats NZ stated that between 2000 and 2025, Auckland’s population grew at an average annual rate of 1.7 percent, compared with just 1.1 percent per year for the rest of New Zealand.

Clare Hendra, spokesperson for population estimates and projections at Stats NZ, said: “Future population growth in Auckland is unlikely to match the pace seen in previous decades due to population ageing. Nevertheless, Auckland is still expected to account for 40 to 50 percent of New Zealand’s total population growth over the coming decades.”

According to the statistics, Auckland’s population is projected to reach between 2.2 million and 2.7 million by 2053.