Just released official statistics show New Zealand's population has increased by 214,000 people in the seven years since the previous census.
Data released on Monday indicates the population is now 4,242,048, having grown by about 31,000 people a year since the last census in 2006.
The national growth is slower than the 2006 census period when the population grew at 58,000 a year from 2001.
Auckland Central, Hunua and Helensville in Auckland had the biggest increases while Christchurch Central, Christchurch East, Port Hills and the East Coast showed the biggest falls.
The census, which is usually held every five years, was delayed by two years because of the Christchurch earthquakes.
Government statistician Liz MacPherson says the increase means there will be one new electorate.
Government statistician Liz MacPherson Photo: RNZ
"There will be one more general electorate in the North Island. The number of South Island electorates ... stays constant at 16. And in this case, the number of Maori electorates will remain unchanged at seven."
In a 120 seat Parliament, excluding any overhang, the new total of 71 general electorates will result in 49 list seats, one less than in 2011.
Under Representation Commission rules, general electorates must have a minimum population of 56,696 and a maximum of 62,662.
The commission will now use the information to determine new electorate boundaries, as well as the name and location of the new electorate, before the next general election.
A leading New Zealand demographer says it's no surprise Auckland has shown the most growth in the latest census figures.
The professor for population economics at Waikato University, Jacques Poot, says Auckland's growth fits with a global and domestic trend of people moving towards cities, with employment is the biggest factor contributing to the trend.
Professor Poot predicts, on the latest census figures, New Zealand's population will reach five million in the next two decades.
Auckland deputy mayor Penny Hulse says more people moving to the area means more demand in an already difficult housing market, while Christchurch mayor Bob Parker is unsurprised the city's quake-hit eastern suburbs' figures are low.
