In the year to June 30, the population of most Otago districts increased, although not as much as in each of the previous three years.
Dunedin was the only Otago area to increase its average growth rate year on year.
The city's year on year population increase doubled to 1000 people last year, Statistics New Zealand said.
The population of Queenstown-Lakes grew by 700 people (2.5%) last year, compared with an average growth of 1000 people (4%) during each of the previous three years.
Queenstown Lakes' increase was the country's highest equal growth - with the Selwyn district - for the year.
Within Otago, the fastest growing districts last year were Queenstown-Lakes, followed by Central Otago, Dunedin, Clutha and Waitaki, where the population increased by 0.1%.
Otago's total population grew by 2100 (1%) to 207,400.
The growth resulted most from a net permanent and long-term migration gain of 1200 people, followed by a natural increase (more births than deaths) of 800 people.
The population of Otago has increased 4.3% since 2006.
The national population increased 4.4% to 4,367,700 during the same period.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the results were "not a surprise" to the council, given the numbers had already affected the rates increases for 2010-11.
The growth, although slower than the previous three years, was positive but had downsides, Ms van Uden said.
"It means that we are still having to cope in providing services to an increasing number of people and we are looking at all the ways we can do that."The population growth rate in Central Otago also slowed.
The population increased by 250 people (1.5%) last year, compared with an average increase of 300 people (1.7%) in each of the three previous years.
Central Otago Mayor-elect Tony Lepper said it was still "exciting stuff that we're holding our own in the growth stakes".
"It goes to show that we're still a Mecca for people to come to."Dunedin was the only Otago district to increase its population growth rate last year, recording 1000 more people (0.8%) compared with an average increase of 500 people (0.4%) in each of the previous three years.
Dunedin City Council economic development unit manager Peter Harris said it was great to get more people in Dunedin, but wondered what sort of people they were.
In terms of generating a more vibrant economy for the city, it would be good news if those 1000 people were all skilled people or business leaders, he said.
"We need 1000 of the right sort of people."
Waitaki had shown no population growth between 2006 and last year and had a projected growth of 100 people this year, but Waitaki development board chairman Peter Robinson was still happy - population predictions in the late 1990s and early 2000s were for decline.
"We have turned that around and are holding our own, with an increase even projected," he said.
Of the 16 regions, Auckland's population grew at the fastest rate, 1.6%, in the June 2010 year.
Auckland has been the fastest-growing region for the past nine years and the only region with a growth rate above the 1.2% national average.
