Burnside is a northwestern Christchurch suburb around 6 km from the central city. It borders Fendalton, Bishopdale, Avonhead and Russley, with the airport a short drive west.

What is Burnside High School?

Burnside High School is a state co-educational secondary school for years 9 to 13, on Greers Road. With around 2,500 students at peak, it's one of the largest secondary schools in the country.

What is City Fitness Burnside?

City Fitness Burnside on Memorial Avenue is the local gym, the suburb's busiest non-school destination. Standard 24/7 gym facilities, group fitness classes and a strong member following.

How do I get from central Christchurch to Burnside?

By car, around 10 to 15 minutes via Memorial Avenue or Riccarton Road and Wairakei Road. Bus services include the Yellow Line and Number 17, running regularly from the central Bus Interchange.

What is Burnside Park?

Burnside Park is the local green space, with sports fields, the Burnside Bowling Club, walking paths and a children's playground. Well-used by local schools and sports clubs through the week.

Which schools are in zone for Burnside?

Children living in Burnside are in zone for St Bede's College, Christchurch Adventist School, Burnside High School, Villa Maria College, Tuia Burnside Primary School, St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christ The King School (Burnside), Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate, Middleton Grange School, Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College, Marian College. Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.

How do I check my school zone in Burnside?

Use the School Zone Checker on this page — enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.

Burnside, Canterbury | Schools, Lifestyle & Local Guide

Living in Burnside

Burnside is a northwestern Christchurch suburb around 6 km from the central city, on the flat between Fendalton and the airport. It's been one of the city's settled middle-class postwar suburbs since the 1950s and 1960s, when the Christchurch boundary expanded west and the brick-and-tile housing arrived. Nothing very flashy, but reliable.

Burnside High School is the suburb's defining institution. The state co-ed secondary on Greers Road is one of the largest schools in the country (around 2,500 students at peak), and Burnside-zoned property is a load-bearing factor in local real estate. Decent academic reputation, big sports culture, the kind of school that produces a steady stream of Olympic rowers.

Burnside Park is the local green space, with the Burnside Bowling Club and the standard playing fields. City Fitness Burnside on Memorial Avenue is the suburb's busiest non-school destination, judging by the searches. The shopping is mostly done at Bishopdale Mall a short drive east.

Most homes are 1960s and 1970s brick-and-tile on quarter-acre sections. Burnside School (state co-ed primary) and Cobham Intermediate handle the younger years. The University of Canterbury is a 10-minute drive south.

Is Burnside a good place to live?

Burnside is home to roughly 7,878 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Burnside scores 59 out of 100, with a safety score of 55/100 and 17% green space.

Schools: Burnside has 54 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 $874K, and weekly rent typically sits around $455.

Lifestyle: Burnside has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 6.0°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.

Whether Burnside 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

Safety55
Amenities100
Schools84
Housing Affordability43
Green space57
Community11
Transport19

Property & Economics

Est. Median Value: $874K
Median Weekly Rent: $455/wk
Median HH Income: $102K/yr
Pop. Growth (5yr): +3.3%
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

Browse all suburbs in Christchurch City →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Burnside?: Burnside is a northwestern Christchurch suburb around 6 km from the central city. It borders Fendalton, Bishopdale, Avonhead and Russley, with the airport a short drive west.
What is Burnside High School?: Burnside High School is a state co-educational secondary school for years 9 to 13, on Greers Road. With around 2,500 students at peak, it's one of the largest secondary schools in the country.
What is City Fitness Burnside?: City Fitness Burnside on Memorial Avenue is the local gym, the suburb's busiest non-school destination. Standard 24/7 gym facilities, group fitness classes and a strong member following.
How do I get from central Christchurch to Burnside?: By car, around 10 to 15 minutes via Memorial Avenue or Riccarton Road and Wairakei Road. Bus services include the Yellow Line and Number 17, running regularly from the central Bus Interchange.
What is Burnside Park?: Burnside Park is the local green space, with sports fields, the Burnside Bowling Club, walking paths and a children's playground. Well-used by local schools and sports clubs through the week.

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Burnside

Schools in zone for Burnside

Children living in Burnside have a guaranteed right to enrol at these schools, based on Ministry of Education home zones.

St Bede's College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 811 · decile 9
Christchurch Adventist School
Composite · roll 285 · decile 6
Burnside High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 2738 · decile 9
Villa Maria College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 835 · decile 9
Tuia Burnside Primary School
Contributing · roll 313 · decile 8
St Thomas of Canterbury College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 708 · decile 8
Christ The King School (Burnside)
Full Primary · roll 309 · decile 8
Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 675 · decile 8
Middleton Grange School
Composite · roll 1387 · decile 9
Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 2123 · decile 3
Marian College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 436 · decile 9

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

Enter your address to check your school zone in Burnside. 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 Burnside that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).

Westburn Te Kura O Hereora
Full Primary · roll 450 · decile 10 · 0.7 km away
Wairakei School (Christchurch)
Contributing · roll 201 · decile 10 · 1.2 km away
Merrin School Ngā Whetū Kohara
Full Primary · roll 441 · decile 9 · 1.4 km away
Tūora Fendalton School
Contributing · roll 405 · decile 10 · 1.6 km away
Te Kura o Te Mātāpuna Isleworth School
Contributing · roll 225 · decile 5 · 1.6 km away
Te Ara Maurea Roydvale School
Contributing · roll 282 · decile 9 · 1.7 km away
Medbury Preparatory School
Full Primary · roll 372 · decile 10 · 1.9 km away
Christchurch North College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 53 · 2.1 km away
Breens Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 277 · decile 9 · 2.2 km away
Ilam School
Contributing · roll 368 · decile 9 · 2.2 km away
Avonhead School - Rakipaoa
Full Primary · roll 585 · decile 8 · 2.3 km away
St Patrick's School (Bryndwr)
Full Primary · roll 169 · decile 7 · 2.3 km away
Waimairi School
Contributing · roll 312 · decile 9 · 2.4 km away
Christchurch Boys' High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1434 · decile 8 · 2.6 km away
Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 284 · decile 8 · 2.7 km away
Bishopdale School Te Kura o Papakōhatu
Contributing · roll 165 · decile 3 · 2.8 km away
Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School
Full Primary · roll 414 · decile 7 · 2.8 km away
St Teresa's School (Riccarton)
Full Primary · roll 168 · decile 6 · 2.8 km away
Cotswold Mātāhae School
Contributing · roll 537 · decile 8 · 2.9 km away
Papanui High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1444 · decile 7 · 3.1 km away
Te Kāpehu Riccarton School
Full Primary · roll 353 · decile 3 · 3.1 km away
St Andrew's College (Christchurch)
Composite · roll 1640 · 3.2 km away
Elmwood Normal School
Contributing · roll 527 · decile 10 · 3.2 km away
He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 536 · decile 10 · 3.2 km away
Riccarton High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1116 · decile 6 · 3.3 km away
Emmanuel Christian School
Composite (Year 1-10) · roll 287 · decile 8 · 3.3 km away
Harewood School
Contributing · roll 156 · decile 9 · 3.3 km away
Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1302 · decile 9 · 3.4 km away
Our Lady of Victories
Full Primary · roll 251 · decile 6 · 3.5 km away
Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 705 · decile 10 · 3.6 km away
Paparoa Street School
Contributing · roll 324 · decile 10 · 3.6 km away
Casebrook Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 441 · decile 6 · 3.6 km away
St Joseph's School (Papanui)
Full Primary · roll 427 · decile 9 · 3.7 km away
Wharenui School
Full Primary · roll 393 · decile 3 · 3.7 km away
St Margaret's College
Composite · roll 866 · decile 10 · 3.9 km away
Ferndale Te Ahu
Specialist School · roll 141 · decile 9 · 3.9 km away
Selwyn House School
Full Primary · roll 288 · decile 10 · 3.9 km away
Papanui Primary School
Contributing · roll 225 · decile 6 · 4.1 km away
Te Kura o Matarangi - Northcote School
Contributing · roll 151 · decile 3 · 4.3 km away
St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch)
Contributing · roll 108 · decile 9 · 4.3 km away
St Albans School
Contributing · roll 562 · decile 8 · 4.7 km away
Christ's College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 708 · decile 10 · 4.8 km away
The Cathedral Grammar School
Full Primary · roll 242 · decile 10 · 4.9 km away

Explore Burnside

Things to do(25)

Fitness Canterbury

Rise Pilates

Roydvale Park

Westburn Reserve

Muay Thai Christchurch

Nepal Reserve

Align Personal Training & Nutrition Coaching

Avice Hill Reserve

CityFitness

Burnside Park

Kendal Reserve Playground

Ashcroft Reserve

Pīwakawaka Fencing

Flex Fitness Burnside

Pirates Island Mini-Golf

Flay Park

Silhouette Studios

Burnside Rugby Football Club

The Range Golf

Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club

Jellie Park

Christchurch Avon Athletic Club

KSI Christchurch

Apollo Centre

Jellie Park Leisure Centre

Parks & green spaces(10)

Roydvale Park

Westburn Reserve

Nepal Reserve

Avice Hill Reserve

Burnside Park

Kendal Reserve Playground

Ashcroft Reserve

Flay Park

Jellie Park

Jellie Park Leisure Centre

Healthcare(5)

Kendal Medical Centre

Burnside Medical Centre

Kendal Pharmacy

Ilam Medical Centre

Month	High (°C)	Low (°C)	Rainfall (mm/day)	Sunshine (hrs/day)
☀️ Jan	21.97	13.41	1.42	11.92
☀️ Feb	21.97	13.01	2.29	10.28
🍂 Mar	19.15	9.84	2.09	9.24
🍂 Apr	17.44	8.87	1.74	8.35
🍂 May	14.24	5.45	1.9	6.19
❄️ Jun	12.14	5.09	1.85	5.46
❄️ Jul	11.28	3.1	2.73	6.5
❄️ Aug	12.29	3.07	1.6	7.8
🌸 Sep	15.21	5.78	2.41	8.92
🌸 Oct	16.89	6.99	2.32	10.37
🌸 Nov	18.01	9.25	1.77	11.48
☀️ Dec	21.1	12.07	2.2	10.86

Living in Burnside

Is Burnside a good place to live?

Map

Livability Breakdown

Property & Economics

Key Financial Indicators (NZD)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Burnside

Schools in zone for Burnside

St Bede's College

Christchurch Adventist School

Burnside High School

Villa Maria College

Tuia Burnside Primary School

St Thomas of Canterbury College

Christ The King School (Burnside)

Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate

Middleton Grange School

Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College

Marian College

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

Other nearby schools

Westburn Te Kura O Hereora

Wairakei School (Christchurch)

Merrin School Ngā Whetū Kohara

Tūora Fendalton School

Te Kura o Te Mātāpuna Isleworth School

Te Ara Maurea Roydvale School

Medbury Preparatory School

Christchurch North College

Breens Intermediate

Ilam School

Avonhead School - Rakipaoa

St Patrick's School (Bryndwr)

Waimairi School

Christchurch Boys' High School

Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate

Bishopdale School Te Kura o Papakōhatu

Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

St Teresa's School (Riccarton)

Cotswold Mātāhae School

Papanui High School

Te Kāpehu Riccarton School

St Andrew's College (Christchurch)

Elmwood Normal School

He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate

Riccarton High School

Emmanuel Christian School

Harewood School

Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora

Our Lady of Victories

Rangi Ruru Girls' School

Paparoa Street School

Casebrook Intermediate

St Joseph's School (Papanui)

Wharenui School

St Margaret's College

Ferndale Te Ahu

Selwyn House School

Papanui Primary School

Te Kura o Matarangi - Northcote School

St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch)

St Albans School

Christ's College

The Cathedral Grammar School

Explore Burnside

🎯Things to do(25)

Fitness Canterbury

Rise Pilates

Roydvale Park

Westburn Reserve

Muay Thai Christchurch

Nepal Reserve

Align Personal Training & Nutrition Coaching

Avice Hill Reserve

CityFitness

Burnside Park

Kendal Reserve Playground

Things to do(25)

Parks & green spaces(10)

Healthcare(5)

Places to eat & drink(39)