New Zealand's population has passed the 4.5 million mark, according to Statistics New Zealand.
On the day the milestone was reached, Daksh Chandel was born to Tongan and Indian parents.
The baby boy born at Middlemore Hospital on Monday was welcomed by his Mangere parents Siulolo'vao Tupou and Harry Chandel and weighed 3.8kg.
His birth came as Statistics New Zealand's population counter ticked over to 4.5 million.
Daksh's mother was born in Tonga and moved to New Zealand 14 years ago and his father is an Indian native.
Ms Tupou said her son was blessed to be born here. "It's a blessing for babies to be born here, in opportunity, it's a good country. We are very happy to be in this country."
Statistics New Zealand population estimates and projections manager Jo-Anne Skinner said the 4.5 million milestone differed from data that showed just 4.24 million Kiwis on Census night in March.
Census data doesn't include New Zealanders overseas on the night or people who did not fill out their form.
The estimated population was adjusted for births, deaths and net migration since Census night.
"From that time there have been regular population increases and we have had nine months since that time," she said.
The country's population increases by one person every 7 minutes 42 seconds based on a birth every eight minutes, a death every 17 minutes 53 seconds and a new migrant every 14 minutes 20 seconds.
We are on track to reach the next population milestone - 5 million - in 2026.
- Morgan Tait of the New Zealand Herald
