Wellington is once again NZ's second biggest city

You can't beat Wellington on a good day - a painting called "Morning's Glory, Wellington" by John Crump, an illustration in a new book called Artists Impressions of New Zealand

A few years ago the population of greater Christchurch overtook that of Wellington.  However, the latest figures show more than 10,000 people left Christchurch in the year to June. Although 1700 arrived, the net loss of population is still almost 9000 and represents a 2.4% reduction.

Statistician Kim Dunstan says that means urban Wellington now has a bigger population than urban Christchurch. However, he says the Christchurch City Council is still the second biggest in the country as Wellington is governed by a number of local authorities.

Kim Dunstan says detailed population figures aren't due out until December but Statistics New Zealand is confident Wellington is now the second biggest city in the country.