The Wellington region has a population of 460,400 - 11% of the total national population

2006 measures of economic activity in the Wellington region suggest that the pace of growth over the previous year has been steady. The region's economy is expected to expand at between 2% and 3% over the next couple of years. This is in line with New Zealand's overall growth rate, which in the year to March 2006 was 2.0%.

The unemployment rate in the Wellington region stands at 4.0%, falling from 4.3%. Employment growth is being driven by property and business services, the core government sector, construction and retail trade. Business services have been the prime source of growth, with nearly 7,000 job created in this sector in the five years.

Indicators for the commercial and industrial property market do not suggest any over-supply of space. Wellington commercial property is among the strongest in the country, driven primarily by a rapidly growing government work force. The residential property market is steady with house prices remaining strong.

The national economic growth has averaged just under 4% per annum, underpinned by a buoyant domestic economy.

Highlights of the regional economy during 2004-2005 include tourism. This sector bucked national trends and enjoyed good growth, partly due to a string of high-profile entertainment events such as the British and Irish Lions rugby tour and the annual Montana World of WearableArt awards. Despite negative macro-economic issues such as high oil costs, employment in the retail trade sector rose by 7% or 1,500 jobs.

Other industries performing strongly include film, fashion, ICT, creative manufacturing, biotechnology, education and the public sector.