The population of New Zealand is expected to exceed five million in less than 20 years. Auckland is predicted to gain an extra 500,000 residents by 2031.
The latest figures from Statistics New Zealand use the estimated population of each area as at June 2006 as a base, and make predictions through to 2031.
Auckland is projected to account for 60% of the population growth, with an increase to almost 2 million.
This will mean Auckland will be home to 38% of the population by 2031.
The South Island population is predicted to be 1.15 million and 4 million people in the North.
The number of people aged over 65 is expected to double.
