Christchurch quakes drive 8,900 from city
But latest population statistics show many who left have resettled nearby.
The population of Christchurch city experienced the largest population loss in New Zealand in the past 12 months, declining by 8,900 or 2.4%.
The city suffered two large earthquakes in the year to June, a 7.2 magnitude shake in September and February's quake that killed 181 people.
But, according to the most recent figures from Statistics New Zealand, a number of those who left Christchurch have resettled nearby.
Nearby districts led the growth charts with Selwyn up 3.9%, Queenstown-Lakes up 3.2%, Asburton up 2.3% and Waimakariri up 2%.
Population statistics manager Deb Potter said the quakes, and a 22% rise in international migrant departures, had a major effect on population changes over the past year.
“This is the first official estimate of population changes in Christchurch city, and across New Zealand’s subnational areas, since the Canterbury earthquakes,” she said.
In terms of raw growth, Auckland City experienced the largest increase with the population climbing by 22,000 to 1,486,000.
Matt Nippert
Tue, 25 Oct 2011
Tue, 25 Oct 2011
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Christchurch quakes drive 8,900 from city
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