Larry Williams Drive

Predictions state the population of school-aged children will drop during the decade. Education Ministry projections state rolls at primary and secondary schools would fall 4 percent or nearly 30,000 nationwide. Wellington and Auckland schools will be hit hardest from the losses, and Canterbury will be the only region expected to have more school children by 2032.  Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley says the fertility rate in New Zealand has dipped below replacement level in the last five years. Paul Spoonley says the only way New Zealand can top up their declining population is through immigration. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.