- Est. Median Value
- $854K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $456/wk
- Safety Score
- 89/100
- Green Space
- 62%
- Current Weather
- 11.8°C
- Median Age
- 51 yrs
~36 crimes/1k/yr
broken clouds
Living in Atawhai
Atawhai is a coastal Nelson suburb on State Highway 6, around 6 km northeast of central Nelson on the road to Cable Bay and the Marlborough Sounds. The te reo Māori name means "to show kindness" or "compassion", which is one of those suburb names that suits the place: quiet, settled, with the kind of view across Tasman Bay to the Abel Tasman National Park that you'd put on a postcard if anyone in Nelson made postcards anymore.
The Atawhai shops are compact: a Four Square, the local takeaways, the Atawhai Pharmacy and a few small businesses. Most of the suburb is residential, with a strip of houses on the coastal flat and a steeper hill section behind. Atawhai Whenua Reserve provides a small bush walk and one of Nelson's better viewpoints over the Boulder Bank.
Most residents work in Nelson (a 10-minute drive south) or are retired here for the views. Atawhai School (state co-ed primary) handles the local primary kids. Older students attend Nelson College or Nelson College for Girls.
The suburb sits at the southern entrance to the Boulder Bank, the curved geological formation that protects Nelson Haven. The waterfront walking path runs from Atawhai right into the city.
Is Atawhai a good place to live?
Atawhai is home to roughly 2,877 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Atawhai scores 60 out of 100, with a safety score of 89/100 and 62% green space.
Schools: Atawhai has 8 schools in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $854K, and weekly rent typically sits around $456.
Lifestyle: Atawhai has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 11.8°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Atawhai is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety89
- Amenities34
- Schools48
- Housing Affordability44
- Green space100
- Community100
- Transport20
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $854K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $456/wk
- Median HH Income
- $94K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +3.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Atawhai?
- Atawhai is a coastal Nelson suburb on State Highway 6, around 6 km northeast of central Nelson. It's on the road to Cable Bay, between The Wood (south) and Wakapuaka (north).
- What does Atawhai mean?
- Atawhai is a te reo Māori word meaning 'to show kindness' or 'compassion'. The name has been used for the suburb since the area was settled in the 19th century, reflecting the local community's character.
- What is Atawhai Whenua Reserve?
- Atawhai Whenua Reserve is a small public reserve in Atawhai with a short bush walking track and viewpoints over the Boulder Bank and Tasman Bay. Free public access daily.
- What schools are in Atawhai?
- Atawhai School (state co-ed primary, years 1 to 6) is the main local school. Older students typically attend Nelson College or Nelson College for Girls in central Nelson.
- How do I get from central Nelson to Atawhai?
- By car, around 8 to 12 minutes via SH6 (the Atawhai Drive route). Bus services run regularly from central Nelson to Atawhai. The waterfront walking and cycling path also connects directly.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Atawhai
Schools in zone for Atawhai
Children living in Atawhai have a guaranteed right to enrol at these school, based on Ministry of Education home zones.
Clifton Terrace School
Contributing · roll 272 · decile 9
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Atawhai. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Other nearby schools
Schools close to Atawhai that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Maitai School
Specialist School · roll 59 · decile 7 · 3.4 km away
Nelson Teen Parent Unit
Teen Parent Unit · decile 1 · 3.9 km away
Auckland Point School
Contributing · roll 83 · decile 1 · 3.9 km away
Nelson Central School
Contributing · roll 370 · decile 5 · 3.9 km away
St Joseph's School (Nelson)
Full Primary · roll 345 · decile 5 · 4.1 km away
Nelson College For Girls
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 985 · decile 7 · 4.4 km away
Nelson College For Girls Prep School
Intermediate · roll 98 · decile 7 · 4.4 km away
Explore Atawhai
Things to do(2)
Nelson Railway Society Founders Park
Walters Bluff
Parks & green spaces(2)
Nelson Railway Society Founders Park
Walters Bluff
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Atawhai
Places to eat & drink(3)
Valley Pizza
Miyazu Japanese Garden
Atawhai Takeaways
Tradies & Services in Atawhai
Tradies & services(4)
Bays Bobcats & Diggers Ltd
Carl's Garage
Chapmanz Central Heating & Plumbing
Ears On The Move
Shops in Atawhai
Shops(2)
Four Square Atawhai
Valley Coffee
Beauty & Fitness in Atawhai
Beauty & fitness(2)
Inspiring Beauty and Massage
Renaissance Style & Beauty
Professional Services in Atawhai
Professional services(4)
Cognita NZ
Grant Stirling Photographer
Hennessy Immigration Services Nz
Signal & Associates
Atawhai Weather
Current conditions: 11.8°C, broken clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 21.45 | 14.27 | 2.56 | 11.26 |
| ☀️ Feb | 21.03 | 13.81 | 3.53 | 11.25 |
| 🍂 Mar | 19.04 | 11.15 | 2.18 | 10.38 |
| 🍂 Apr | 17.04 | 10.79 | 5.52 | 8.3 |
| 🍂 May | 14.56 | 8.18 | 5.62 | 6.83 |
| ❄️ Jun | 13.14 | 6.96 | 3.77 | 7 |
| ❄️ Jul | 12.44 | 5.81 | 1.92 | 7.39 |
| ❄️ Aug | 12.32 | 5.21 | 3.52 | 8.67 |
| 🌸 Sep | 14.57 | 7.52 | 2.99 | 8.97 |
| 🌸 Oct | 16.01 | 8.57 | 5.63 | 10.42 |
| 🌸 Nov | 17.75 | 10.45 | 3.16 | 11.09 |
| ☀️ Dec | 21.02 | 13.53 | 2.95 | 11.44 |
Atawhai Community
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