The official population of New Zealand as of 31 March 2008 was recorded at 4.26 million, according to national statistics. However, despite the country’s population increasing by 40,200 in the year ending March 2008, the total increase was 6,500 less than the same period last year; a fall attributed to a slowdown in net migration.

The leading cause for population increase was the rate of births and deaths, totalling an increase of 35,500 (births minus deaths). Only 4,700 of the population boost was due to net migration, compared to last years net migration increase of 12,100.

The statistics also revealed that New Zealand’s population is gradually aging. The median age for male New Zealanders increased from 32.7 years to 35.4 years between March 1998 and March 2008, whilst the median age for females increased from 34.2 years to 37.1 years over the same period.

The rate of population growth increased amongst the 65 and over age group by 2.4 per cent, compared to an increase of just one per cent for the 15-64 age group.

Furthermore, New Zealand’s birth rate is not sufficient to compensate for the aging demographic.

A Statistics New Zealand press release stated: “In the ten years ended March 2008, the number of children has increased just 1.5 percent, compared with respective increases of 13.8 percent and 21.6 percent for the 15–64 year and 65 years and over age groups.”