Stats NZ population estimates are under capturing Queenstown Lakes population
Last October Stats NZ said Queenstown Lakes had 53,800 residents. Last week it announced the district has 53,700 residents. No, 100 people did not leave. Stats NZ has cut its estimate of last year’s population by 1,100 and now says the district grew 0.4% in the year to June 2025 and 1.9% in the year to June 2026. I do not believe it.