Growth
This section of the Horowhenua District Council website is currently being updated. We’ll have more information on the district’s growth to share with you soon.
Horowhenua is the 10th fastest growing district in New Zealand, according to the most recent Census data. This increase in the number of people choosing to make Horowhenua their home provides great opportunities as well as challenges.
The Census results in 2023 showed the Horowhenua population had grown to 36,693 residents in March 2023. This marked a significant increase from five years prior when the population was 33,261, continuing a positive trend from the early 2010s.
This means in the past five years, 3432 new residents have made Horowhenua their home, averaging an annual increase of 686 people and reflecting that the district is a great place to live.
Future Growth
The Horowhenua District population is projected to grow at a rate of 1.5% per annum from 2023 until 2030, increasing to 2.1% per annum until 2044. This means our population will increase to over 54,000 by 2044 and over 66,000 by 2054.
The increase in population means the number of houses needed throughout the district will continue to grow. The current number of houses is estimated to be 16,985 as of June 2024. This is anticipated to grow by 7336 to 24,321 by 2044.
Horowhenua is also gearing up for its biggest infrastructure project yet with the Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL) highway set to be finished by the end of 2029. This new expressway will cut the drive to Wellington to just an hour, making travel safer and connecting the district more closely with the capital and other major centres.
Opportunities and Challenges
The 2023 Census data shows that Horowhenua is thriving. It offers a wonderful lifestyle with multiple beaches, forest parks and rivers all within a 20-minute drive. The community's steady growth is a testament to its appeal as a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
This growth information is crucial in guiding Council's planning and infrastructure development efforts to ensure it meets the needs of a growing population.
The district's continued focus on enabling housing development is essential to ensuring it can accommodate this growing demand. Council continues to plan for growth through creating and enabling subdivisions like Tara-Ika and focusing on a fit for purpose District Plan and growth strategy, alongside a commitment to continuous improvement in our consenting processes. There is a great community working hard to create both employment and housing opportunities for all those who call Horowhenua home – and those looking to move here.
The sustained growth in Horowhenua has significant implications for the community. As the population increases, there will be greater demand for public services like healthcare, education, and recreational facilities. Advocating for these essential services will be a priority for Council as we plan for the future.
Projects like the Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL) expressway not only improve safety, but also provide further opportunities for growth. An example of this is the Levin Town Centre Transformation, which is creating a more attractive and vibrant urban town centre environment that supports economic growth, fosters community engagement and promotes sustainable development, ultimately enriching the quality of life for residents and visitors in Levin. You can read more about the Levin Town Centre Transformation here.