Dairy cattle numbers in New Zealand are now 6.5 million head.
Statistics New Zealand said on Monday this is 1.2 million more than in 2007.
Their extra production equates to about 740 more litres of milk per person now than five years ago.
The figures prove a shift to dairy from other farm products in recent years,
In other sectors, sheep numbers have fallen while kiwifruit has held steady, despite the adverse effects of the PSA vine disease.
One of the biggest growth areas is wine, with acreage under vines six time higher now than 30 years ago, despite a slight slowing in the past few years.