Concern over falling birth rates after new figures show it's the lowest since World War II. 

Stats NZ says the national fertility rate was 1.5 births per woman, down from 1.60. 

Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking New Zealand is following the trends of other western nations, with many European countries recording far lower birth rates. 

He says it means around 500-1000 fewer births in New Zealand each year. 

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