Booming migration means the New Zealand population increased by almost 100,000 in the year to June 30, the fastest rate of all time.

Booming migration means New Zealand's population has seen the biggest increase of all time.

Figures from Statistics New Zealand on Friday showed the population grew by 97,300 in the year to June 30, to 4.69 million.

"This is the largest annual increase ever," Statistics New Zealand said.

In percentage terms, the 2.1 per cent increase is the largest since 1974.



Statistics New Zealand said the increased was driven by record immigration, with a net gain in migration of 69,100 during the period.

"To put this in context, the average annual net migration over the last decade has been 21,800 and average annual natural increase has been 32,300." Statistics New Zealand said.

Figures provided by Statistics NZ show that the rate at which New Zealand's natural population has been increasing had been generally declining since 2011, but climbed by 500 in 2016, to an increase of 28,200.

RNZ More people have been approved to work in New Zealand in the last year than ever before, reviving concerns about immigrants displacing local workers.

Net migration meanwhile, has surged. New Zealand saw a net loss from migration in 2012, but migration overtook natural growth in 2014, and is now more than double natural growth.

* Audio courtesy of RNZ