Queenstown is expected to officially become a city soon, as new population estimates from Stats NZ, arriving this Friday, are likely to show that the town has grown beyond 30,000 residents.
Once confirmed, Queenstown will join other South Island cities like Nelson, Invercargill, and Gisborne.
Mayor Glyn Lewers said the rapid growth makes it important for Queenstown to recognise its new status. “We probably will be the next city in the South Island,” he noted, adding that the town could become the second-largest urban centre in the region.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council, which also includes Wānaka, has already surpassed 50,000 residents—a requirement for applying to the Local Government Commission for city council status. However, the commission must ensure the area is “predominantly urban” and serves as a major centre of activity before it approves the request.
Tauranga successfully became a city council in 2004, but other large towns, such as Whangārei and Rotorua, still operate under district councils.
Projections about Queenstown’s future population suggest significant growth. Stats NZ estimates the district’s population could reach 70,000 by the middle of the century. However, the council’s own studies predict even more growth, with peak days by 2050 bringing in 120,000 residents and 100,000 tourists—totalling around 250,000 people moving through the area on busy days.
Queenstown’s upcoming city status reflects its transformation from a small tourist destination into a bustling urban hub.
