When are the Ōtara Markets on?

The Ōtara Markets run every Saturday morning, from around 6am to midday, in the car park behind the Ōtara Town Centre on Newbury and Watford Streets. They have operated since 1976.

What is the MIT Ōtara campus?

Manukau Institute of Technology runs a large campus on Newbury Street in central Ōtara, teaching trades, health, business, IT and creative courses. It is one of MIT's two main South Auckland campuses.

How do I get from Auckland city centre to Ōtara?

By car it is around 25 minutes south on the Southern Motorway. Buses connect Ōtara to the nearby Manukau bus and train interchange, which links to the wider Auckland rail network.

Is Ōtara a safe suburb?

Ōtara has a strong community and a reputation that often runs ahead of the everyday reality. Like any urban area it has its challenges, but most visitors come and go, especially on market days, without trouble.

Which schools are in zone for Ōtara?

Children living in Ōtara are in zone for Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Middle School, Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Junior School, Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Senior School. Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.

How do I check my school zone in Ōtara?

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.

Ōtara, Auckland | Schools, Lifestyle & Local Guide

Living in Ōtara

Ōtara is a suburb of South Auckland, about 22 km southeast of the city centre on the western side of the Tāmaki River, near Manukau and East Tāmaki. It grew from the late 1950s as a large state-housing development after the Southern Motorway opened, and it remains one of the most distinctly Pacific places in the country, with more than seven in ten residents of Pasifika heritage.

The Ōtara Markets are the suburb's signature. Running every Saturday morning since 1976 in the car park behind the Ōtara Town Centre, they are among the most genuinely Pacific markets in New Zealand: fresh produce at honest prices, taro and hangi, Cook Island doughnuts, weaving and crafts, and a soundtrack of reggae, gospel and live choirs.

The Manukau Institute of Technology runs a major campus on Newbury Street, teaching trades, health, business and creative courses. Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, a co-educational school covering Years 1 to 13, anchors local education alongside Tangaroa College. The Ōtara Pool and Leisure Centre and Ngāti Ōtara Park give the suburb its sport and recreation.

Ōtara has spent years being talked about rather than listened to. Spend a Saturday at the market and you get the real version.

Is Ōtara a good place to live?

Ōtara is home to roughly 21,711 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Ōtara scores 45 out of 100, with a safety score of 10/100 and 20% green space.

Schools: Ōtara has 62 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 $731K, and weekly rent typically sits around $178.

Lifestyle: Ōtara has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 16.0°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.

Whether Ōtara 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

Safety10
Amenities100
Schools35
Housing Affordability51
Green space66
Community10
Transport31

Property & Economics

Est. Median Value: $731K
Median Weekly Rent: $178/wk
Median HH Income: $90K/yr
Pop. Growth (5yr): -7.4%
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 Auckland →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ōtara?: Ōtara is a suburb of South Auckland, around 22 km southeast of the city centre on the western side of the Tāmaki River, close to Manukau, East Tāmaki and Papatoetoe.
When are the Ōtara Markets on?: The Ōtara Markets run every Saturday morning, from around 6am to midday, in the car park behind the Ōtara Town Centre on Newbury and Watford Streets. They have operated since 1976.
What is the MIT Ōtara campus?: Manukau Institute of Technology runs a large campus on Newbury Street in central Ōtara, teaching trades, health, business, IT and creative courses. It is one of MIT's two main South Auckland campuses.
How do I get from Auckland city centre to Ōtara?: By car it is around 25 minutes south on the Southern Motorway. Buses connect Ōtara to the nearby Manukau bus and train interchange, which links to the wider Auckland rail network.
Is Ōtara a safe suburb?: Ōtara has a strong community and a reputation that often runs ahead of the everyday reality. Like any urban area it has its challenges, but most visitors come and go, especially on market days, without trouble.

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Ōtara

Schools in zone for Ōtara

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

Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Middle School
Intermediate · roll 318 · decile 1
Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Junior School
Contributing · roll 350 · decile 1
Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Senior School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 670

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

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

Te Hikoi Activity Centre
Activity Centre · 0.4 km away
TKKM o Piripono Te Kura Whakahou ki Ōtara
Full Primary · roll 93 · decile 1 · 0.6 km away
Bairds Mainfreight Primary School
Contributing · roll 322 · decile 1 · 0.7 km away
St John the Evangelist Catholic School
Full Primary · roll 190 · decile 1 · 0.8 km away
Wymondley Road School
Contributing · roll 128 · decile 1 · 1.3 km away
Mayfield School (Auckland)
Contributing · roll 283 · decile 1 · 1.5 km away
Yendarra School
Contributing · roll 211 · decile 1 · 1.5 km away
Ferguson Intermediate (Otara)
Intermediate · roll 379 · decile 1 · 1.6 km away
Papatoetoe Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 719 · decile 2 · 1.7 km away
East Tamaki School
Contributing · roll 165 · decile 1 · 1.8 km away
Fairburn School
Contributing · roll 419 · decile 1 · 1.9 km away
Papatoetoe East School
Contributing · roll 561 · decile 2 · 2.2 km away
Papatoetoe Central School
Contributing · roll 885 · decile 2 · 2.2 km away
St Joseph's School (Otahuhu)
Full Primary · roll 267 · decile 1 · 2.2 km away
McAuley High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 780 · decile 1 · 2.3 km away
Rongomai School
Contributing · roll 148 · decile 1 · 2.3 km away
Papatoetoe High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1808 · decile 3 · 2.4 km away
Otahuhu College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1179 · decile 1 · 2.6 km away
Pacific Advance Secondary School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 156 · decile 1 · 2.7 km away
Flat Bush School
Contributing · roll 382 · decile 1 · 2.7 km away
Otahuhu Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 371 · decile 1 · 2.8 km away
Tangaroa College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1085 · decile 1 · 2.9 km away
Tangaroa College Teen Parent Unit
Teen Parent Unit · decile 1 · 2.9 km away
Otahuhu School
Contributing · roll 537 · decile 1 · 2.9 km away
King's College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1238 · decile 1 · 3.0 km away
Dawson School
Contributing · roll 279 · decile 1 · 3.0 km away
Holy Cross School (Papatoetoe)
Full Primary · roll 547 · decile 2 · 3.0 km away
Mt Richmond School
Specialist School · roll 206 · decile 3 · 3.0 km away
De La Salle College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 975 · decile 1 · 3.1 km away
Sancta Maria College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 1059 · decile 5 · 3.1 km away
Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School
Contributing · roll 372 · decile 5 · 3.1 km away
South Auckland S D A School
Full Primary · roll 350 · decile 2 · 3.3 km away
Panama Road School
Full Primary · roll 341 · decile 1 · 3.4 km away
Papatoetoe West School
Contributing · roll 658 · decile 1 · 3.4 km away
Edgewater College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 634 · decile 3 · 3.5 km away
Kia Aroha Campus
Composite · roll 328 · decile 1 · 3.6 km away
Papatoetoe North School
Contributing · roll 734 · decile 2 · 3.6 km away
Puhinui School
Contributing · roll 748 · decile 3 · 3.6 km away
Anchorage Park School
Contributing · roll 120 · decile 3 · 3.8 km away
Chapel Downs School
Contributing · roll 748 · decile 2 · 3.9 km away
Willowbank School (Howick)
Contributing · roll 695 · decile 8 · 3.9 km away
Baverstock Oaks School
Contributing · roll 583 · decile 6 · 3.9 km away
Redoubt North School
Full Primary · roll 464 · decile 2 · 4.0 km away
Kedgley Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 736 · decile 2 · 4.1 km away
Papatoetoe South School
Contributing · roll 579 · decile 1 · 4.1 km away
Māngere East School
Full Primary · roll 553 · decile 1 · 4.2 km away
Riverhills School
Contributing · roll 121 · decile 4 · 4.2 km away
Sutton Park School
Full Primary · roll 527 · decile 1 · 4.3 km away
Moanaroa School
Contributing · roll 326 · decile 1 · 4.4 km away
Pakuranga Heights School
Contributing · roll 476 · decile 7 · 4.4 km away
Aorere College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1704 · decile 1 · 4.5 km away
Ormiston Senior College
Secondary (Year 11-15) · roll 1544 · decile 7 · 4.5 km away
Pakuranga Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 273 · decile 3 · 4.5 km away
Riverina School
Contributing · roll 136 · decile 3 · 4.5 km away
Botany Downs Secondary College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 2001 · decile 7 · 4.6 km away
Ormiston Junior College
Secondary (Year 7-10) · roll 1508 · decile 7 · 4.7 km away
Southern Cross Campus
Composite · roll 1661 · decile 1 · 4.8 km away
Ormiston Primary School
Contributing · roll 969 · decile 7 · 4.8 km away
Saint Kentigern College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 2347 · decile 10 · 4.9 km away

Explore Ōtara

Things to do(17)

Ōtara Markets

Jetts Fitness

Fresh Gallery Otara

Jetts Manukau

Otara Creek Reserve

East Tamaki Bowling Club

East Tamaki Tennis Club

Jetts Otara

East Tamaki Rugby Club

Otamariki Park

East Tamaki Reserve

Otara Recreation And Community Centre

Mayfield Park

Empire Training Box

Otara Skate Park

Otara Rugby League Football Club

Ngati Otara Park

Parks & green spaces(5)

Otara Creek Reserve

Otamariki Park

East Tamaki Reserve

Mayfield Park

Ngati Otara Park

Healthcare(5)

East Tamaki Pharmacy

Otara Integrated Health Centre

South Seas Medical Centre

Local Doctors Ōtara

Month	High (°C)	Low (°C)	Rainfall (mm/day)	Sunshine (hrs/day)
☀️ Jan	22.9	17.53	6.59	9.94
☀️ Feb	22.71	16.52	5.64	10.36
🍂 Mar	20.72	14.26	2.61	10.12
🍂 Apr	19.74	14.32	3.26	8.67
🍂 May	17.05	11.71	4.73	7.58
❄️ Jun	15.64	10.37	3.3	7.39
❄️ Jul	14.49	8.9	3.39	7.42
❄️ Aug	14.49	7.78	2.56	8.11
🌸 Sep	16.13	10.76	3.64	9.45
🌸 Oct	17.34	11.86	3.32	10.26
🌸 Nov	19.17	13.02	3.3	10.98
☀️ Dec	21.88	15.94	4.08	11.38

Living in Ōtara

Is Ōtara a good place to live?

Map

Livability Breakdown

Property & Economics

Key Financial Indicators (NZD)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Ōtara

Schools in zone for Ōtara

Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Middle School

Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Junior School

Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate Senior School

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

Other nearby schools

Te Hikoi Activity Centre

TKKM o Piripono Te Kura Whakahou ki Ōtara

Bairds Mainfreight Primary School

St John the Evangelist Catholic School

Wymondley Road School

Mayfield School (Auckland)

Yendarra School

Ferguson Intermediate (Otara)

Papatoetoe Intermediate

East Tamaki School

Fairburn School

Papatoetoe East School

Papatoetoe Central School

St Joseph's School (Otahuhu)

McAuley High School

Rongomai School

Papatoetoe High School

Otahuhu College

Pacific Advance Secondary School

Flat Bush School

Otahuhu Intermediate

Tangaroa College

Tangaroa College Teen Parent Unit

Otahuhu School

King's College

Dawson School

Holy Cross School (Papatoetoe)

Mt Richmond School

De La Salle College

Sancta Maria College

Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School

South Auckland S D A School

Panama Road School

Papatoetoe West School

Edgewater College

Kia Aroha Campus

Papatoetoe North School

Puhinui School

Anchorage Park School

Chapel Downs School

Willowbank School (Howick)

Baverstock Oaks School

Redoubt North School

Kedgley Intermediate

Papatoetoe South School

Māngere East School

Riverhills School

Sutton Park School

Moanaroa School

Pakuranga Heights School

Aorere College

Ormiston Senior College

Pakuranga Intermediate

Riverina School

Botany Downs Secondary College

Ormiston Junior College

Southern Cross Campus

Ormiston Primary School

Saint Kentigern College