By - penny population expert
Pacific statistics: Census of a small island nation
While the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) readies the release of 2016 Census information, the tiny Pacific Island territory of Tokelau have been there and done that!
Perspectives on New Zealand’s proposed Urban Development Authority
What do London, Melbourne, Sydney and Toronto have in common? Dense and expensive housing. Following the footsteps of these big cities we have a love/hate relationship with, the New Zealand Government recently...
Planning for the inequal and uncertain challenges of change at a local level
A recent paper published by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) summarised the key challenges facing planners in the next 30 to 50 years, but how can we adequately prepare for these challenges at a local level?...
What is your place of work doing to encourage Te Reo Māori?
I used to work with a team of customer service staff who dreaded Māori Language week each year because customers would often react angrily to a Māori salutation. Thankfully that was many years ago and Te Reo...
The implications of lower levels of home ownership on social capital
My previous blog took a look at rising rental activity across New Zealand. Higher levels of renting seemed to roughly correspond with less affordable home ownership levels. But why does it really matter if...
Renting levels are on the increase in New Zealand
Home affordability is a big deal in many parts of New Zealand. On a weekly basis, there a predictable bruhaha in the media about Auckland alone. The following infographic depicts levels of affordability for...
Global honours: Top 7 Intelligent Community spot for Whanganui
Is it a digital take on no. 8 wire and baling twine?
Tourism in New Zealand ? Are these your holiday destinations this summer?
Imagine having more than 40,000 tourists, or 10 times the size of your population, visiting your local area this summer. What will that be like?
Is loneliness a stage of life, a generational thing or a problem of our era?
I was enjoying a glass of wine with no. 2 son this week when, as a fledgling winemaker/philosopher, he mentioned the struggles of his generation – the “lonely” generation. The fact that the no.2 son had...
The Southern Hemisphere dominates the Rugby World Cup!
Southern Hemisphere rugby reigns supreme as the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) loom with all four teams from south of the equator. Why is this relevant in a population blog you might ask? Well apart...
The double whammy changing the age profile in rural New Zealand
While births and deaths have an influence on local population characteristics, migration is by far the most powerful force in population change. A while ago I wrote a blog investigating internal migration,...
How can local government respond to an ageing population?
New Zealand has arguably been in a trend of ageing for close to a century. All you have to do is look at the steady decline of birth rates and the increase in life expectancy.
The social and economic impacts of higher education in Wellington
In the 2013 census 37.5% of the Wellington population over the age of 15 had a tertiary degree. Compare that result against Queenstown in distant second place with 22%. Auckland lies third with 21.9%.*
University towns in New Zealand - their impacts on the community and economy
How do universities affect our population, housing and industries? University is a very special time of life for most… and some of us keep going back! Universities are also special for the city they are part of...
Planning for the happiness and well-being of your community
The definition of happiness and well-being differs greatly from one person to another. This doesn’t just apply to individuals but also to local governments and their communities. How can you effectively measure...
Profiling indigenous communities
The 2013 census population for Māori in New Zealand was 668,715. How can we better understand this indigenous community? What are the demographic characteristics of this population and how has it changed over...
If I ruled the world – the reality of population growth in NZ
Recently a discussion between Christchurch City councillors was debated at length in the media. Now the councillors and Mayor may have just been spitballing… but the headline read
NZ: of Maui's might and spirits departing
Just before Christmas, the Far North District Council became the latest New Zealand local authority to join with .id.
NZ: Larger houses for smaller households
17th Century author Abraham Cowley wrote:
Atlas.id in New Zealand
Sometimes you need to get up really close and personal … with your community. Standing too far back can hide the special characteristics of a neighbourhood.
Electricity still the leading choice for home heating in New Zealand
I’m not one of those “stoic kiwis” who happily skips through freezing winters in a cold house. I grumble and moan through the cold months, mummified in multiple layers of clothing, promising myself tropical...
