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What is the official population of Motueka?

Question 1:  I've seen and heard so many figures quoted about the population of Motueka? Is it 7,000? Or 15,000? What is the official count?

Answer:  The most reliable basis at present is the most recent census, taken in 2006. (These are taken every 5 years, so there will be an update next year.) In 2006, on Census night, there were 14,355 people in what is called the Motueka district, which includes Motueka town (7797), Kaiteriteri (1482), Mariri, Riwaka (969), Lower Moutere and the lower part of Moutere Valley. Mapua was counted separately at 1980.

Based on the growth rate over the previous 5-year census period (2001 - 2006), if we take a population growth of 1% to 2% per year, then we can estimate the Motueka town figure now at around 8265 and the Motueka district at about 15,200. However, most people agree that the growth rate has been greater in recent years.

But the factor that plays the greatest part in population statistics in this district is the date and even time of the census. With huge differences in visitor numbers over the various months, and even over weekends versus week days, the numbers counted on any particular day could be causing serious errors in estimations of permanent populations.

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