Affordable areas show high potential
An extensive analysis by OneRoof and data partner Valocity has identified New Zealand's “hottest 100” up-and-coming suburbs for 2025.
Gentrification and affordability drive the list, with previously overlooked areas showing strong growth potential and new appeal for buyers across the country.
The report highlighted suburbs that combine affordability with factors like recent development, proximity to amenities, and employment, making them ideal choices for aspiring homeowners.
Auckland’s southern suburbs in the spotlight
East Tamaki tops the list, followed by Mt Wellington, Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, and other South Auckland suburbs. These areas, connected by major transport routes, are seeing significant development, with average property values ranging from $700,000 to over $1 million.
Richard White, a local agent, notes East Tamaki’s growing popularity among second-home buyers eyeing access to top-rated schools and proximity to job hubs.
Gentrification and opportunity across regions
The analysis also highlighted areas beyond Auckland, with Canterbury, Waikato, Wellington, and Manawatu-Whanganui regions showing promise.
Inner-city suburbs in Christchurch, like Sydenham and Waltham, make the list due to affordability and proximity to the city.
Tony Jenkins, managing director at Harcourts Holmwood, predicts that these areas could become “the Mt Edens and Ponsonbys of Christchurch” in the coming decade.
Shift in housing preferences post-COVID
The pandemic has accelerated trends, with many people opting to move from high-priced urban areas to more affordable regions, thanks to remote work flexibility.
Suburbs in locations like Otara and Mangere are now seeing an influx of new residents and redevelopment.
Tom Rawson from Ray White Manukau stressed that stigmas attached to certain areas are fading as communities grow and diversify.
Affordability and connectivity key for first-home buyers
Affordability remains crucial for young buyers, but Lesley Harris of the First Home Buyers Club urged careful consideration of factors beyond just price.
“It’s not just about affordability,” Harris said, pointing out the importance of amenities, schools, and career prospects.
Improved transport networks and work-from-home opportunities also mean that areas further from city centers, like New Plymouth, are becoming attractive options for young families.
Emerging “stepping-stone” suburbs
In Auckland, rising costs have made many areas stepping-stone suburbs, where buyers settle before accumulating enough equity to move up the property ladder.
Valocity’s Wayne Shum explained that suburbs like Mt Wellington are popular for their accessibility and potential for future growth, even for buyers who initially aimed for pricier areas nearby.
With strong potential for growth, improved infrastructure, and affordability, New Zealand’s “hot” suburbs offer diverse opportunities for homebuyers in 2025 and beyond, OneRoof reported.
See the complete list of OneRoof's Hot 100 New Zealand Suburbs here.
Read about NZ’s elite suburbs here and the most searched NZ suburbs here.
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