Golden Triangle (New Zealand)
The Golden Triangle is the area between Auckland, Tauranga, and Hamilton, which contains nearly half of New Zealand's population and a similar proportion of its economic activity.
As of 2021, Auckland had a population of 1,716,000, Tauranga of 155,200, and Hamilton of 178,500. In total, the Golden Triangle has a population of roughly 2,500,000, nearly half of New Zealand's total population. In 2019, the New Zealand Government predicted that the area's population would grow by 35% in the next 25 years. In 2022, more than half of the nation's residential and non-residential building consents were issued within the Golden Triangle. 56% of all of New Zealand's freight movements occur within the triangle, generating half of New Zealand's GDP. As such, the Golden Triangle is a strategic region of New Zealand in regard to its trade and economic policy.
Transportation initiatives and other regional development plans strengthen the potential of the region, with increased market growth due to infrastructure developments and ties between the three cities. The Golden Triangle's success is reflected in neighbouring regions, as shown by market development in Hawke's Bay and Rotorua.