The latest estimated resident population figures, released by Stats NZ yesterday, showed Dunedin's population had jumped by 1900 people, or 1.5%, to 130,700 in the year to June 2018.
That was on top of a similar increase, of 1800 people, in the previous year, and meant Dunedin's population has now grown by 7200 people since 2013, the figures showed.
Even higher growth was recorded in Queenstown-Lakes (up 5.5%), making it the fastest-growing region in the country, and Central Otago (up 3.6%), in the year to June.
In Dunedin, Mayor Dave Cull said the increases were ''considerable'' and ''very positive'' for the city.
They underscored the value of new city-wide strategies and investments designed to make the city more attractive and liveable, from the arts and culture sector to the environment, Mr Cull believed.
''I think it's very positive and it vindicates our emphasis on focusing on what attracts people - what kinds of things people want.
''Some of the things we've been doing in this city are obviously working.''
The fact many of the new arrivals were younger, in the 15-39 year age bracket, also helped put the city on a more sustainable footing, he said.
Without the new arrivals, the city would have fewer and fewer people supporting an expanding number of older people, he said.
''That's not sustainable. I think the age cohort we're attracting, and the number of them, bodes very well for the sustainability of our community and of our economy.''
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan said the increases were ''great news for the city''.
Dunedin's liveability, its work environment, its educational institutions and the price of housing were all factors fuelling the rising population, as was the arrival of hundreds of refugees mainly from Syria, he believed.
That showed the city was ''starting to understand who and what we are'', and the message was getting out, he said.
''We are Dunedin and we're proud to be Dunedin.''
The influx meant more customers for existing businesses, and more start-up ventures being launched, both of which helped stimulate the city's economy.
But success brought its own challenges, from rising traffic congestion to pressure on the price, quality and availability of housing for buyers and tenants alike, he said.
With major construction projects expected over the next decade - such as the Dunedin Hospital rebuild - the city would need to plan well to manage the effects of growth.
''People are starting to find some of the traffic issues frustrating, which is quite ironic isn't it.
''I think that's going to be really important into the future, that all of that stuff is managed and planned really well.''
Mr Cull said the pressure on housing was a major challenge, but one the Mayor's Taskforce on Housing was already considering ''so we can try to be proactive and get ahead of this''.
''Some people say it's a great problem to have, but we don't want it to get away on us.''
The Stats NZ figures showed most areas of New Zealand experienced growth, which across the country averaged 1.9%, fuelled largely by internal and international migration.
The increases pushed New Zealand's population up by 91,500, to 4,885,300. .
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Dunedin's population rose by 1.5% but the national average is 1.9%. How is this a success story? Why is the Mayor patting him self on the back? Why is Mr. McGowan not jealous of Queenstown's business growth? Surely theses figures suggest Dunedin is falling behind the rest of the country?
I spotted that too. Our growth, helped by refuges, is 21% below the national average and we're celebrating. Or are we negative Dunedinites for not celebrating our success over Invercargill, Gore etc???
Cull always jumping on other stories where it makes you look good, what has the council done to support this growth/ things like upgrades to the drains, power poles, poo farms, re zoning land for housing developments that don't benefit the old school of Dunedin, where are these in the public domain. Cull is nothing more that a story teller. the key phrase 'Mr Cull believed.' it is his out when needed oh I only said I believed' not that it was 100% true.
Some of the things we've been doing in this city are obviously working. I think it is more like that housing in major cities is getting hard to live in, nothing to do will Cull or employment in Dunedin and certainly no thanks to Cull.
This council has done nothing of note to encourage sustainable growth in Dunedin. Crowing about a population growth below the national average is typical of the spin we have come to expect. Dunedin needs to get rid of the Public Image clowns than now infest our council, and replace them with people who understand that Dunedin needs real skilled jobs. Not more supermarket shelf stackers, fast food workers and seasonal tourism helpers. In retrospect, perhaps Cull is right, lauding such a low growth rate since he has done nothing to create jobs for the new arrivals,. Far too busy laying concrete barrier slabs on roadways and then deflecting questions about traffic jams.
When i was a schoolboy about 80 years ago, the citys population was 82,000. Its now 48,000 mor. by my calculation, thats about a 58% increase.
Not exactly supersonic!