Exodus confirmed: Aucklanders leaving the big smoke

Exodus confirmed: Aucklanders leaving the big smoke
A population in decline: Auckland's down on numbers for first time. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Brent Melville
Covid lockdowns and border closures have sparked an exodus out of Auckland. Statistics NZ has confirmed that the country’s biggest urban epicentre saw its first ever population decline, on the back of ongoing covid lockdowns which have seen residents fleeing the city for other regions. The city, at pandemic alert level lockdown level 3 or higher for 175 days since last March, saw a 0.1% population dip for the 12 months to June.That’s after averaging population growth of 1.8% a year over the past two decades, according to l...

More Economy

RBNZ seen cutting OCR by 25 bps, flagging easing bias
Economy

RBNZ seen cutting OCR by 25 bps, flagging easing bias

RBNZ is expected to cut its OCR rate to 3% on Wednesday.

Gas insider explains energy pain and solutions
Economy

Gas insider explains energy pain and solutions

Find more energy or face ongoing deindustrialisation, says GIC.

Liquidators looking for buyer for Wellington events company
Economy

Liquidators looking for buyer for Wellington events company

Hiremaster said it is one of Wellington's largest event equipment rental companies.

Gregor Thompson 15 Aug 2025
Crowdfunders told to expect loss as Peoples Coffee sold
Retail

Crowdfunders told to expect loss as Peoples Coffee sold

"I wanted the business to be owned by the people."

Gregor Thompson 14 Aug 2025