Coronavirus drives population lift in New Zealand

New Zealand has officially passed a population of five million, driven in part by a flood of Kiwis overseas returning home.

New Zealand has officially passed a population of five million, driven in part by a flood of overseas Kiwis returning home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Stats NZ released its quarterly population data on Monday showing the milestone was technically reached in March.

Stats NZ population insights senior manager Brooke Theyers said it was the fastest one million people added to the population in the country’s history.

“This is a significant event for New Zealand,” she said.

“It is also the fastest million in our history, taking 17 years after reaching four million in 2003.”

Ms Theyers said it was not known exactly who the fifth million New Zealander was.

“It is most likely the five million milestone was reached by a migrant arriving by plane, but it could have been reached by a newborn baby,” she said, adding that net migration has been “boosted” by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused unusual international travel and migration patterns in recent months,” said Ms Theyers.

“Net migration has been boosted by more New Zealand citizens returning home after living overseas. At the same time, New Zealand citizens may have been unable or reluctant to head offshore.”

The statistics agency is currently estimating that New Zealand will reach the next milestone — six million people — in 2040.