Riccarton is in central Christchurch, immediately west of Hagley Park, about 4 km from Cathedral Square. It borders Upper Riccarton, Fendalton, Addington and Sockburn.

What is Westfield Riccarton?

The largest shopping mall in Christchurch, opened in 1965 and now around 54,000 square metres. It contains over 200 stores including major department stores, supermarkets, fashion, a cinema complex and the city's largest food court.

What is Riccarton Bush?

Also called Deans Bush, it's the only surviving original swamp forest on the Canterbury Plains. The 6.4-hectare reserve has kahikatea trees up to 600 years old, walking tracks, and a predator-proof fence. Free to enter.

Who were the Deans family?

Brothers John and William Deans were the first Europeans to settle on the Canterbury Plains, in 1843, two years before the formal Canterbury settlement. They built the original Deans Cottage on the Riccarton site, which still stands.

Is Riccarton good for students?

Yes. The University of Canterbury is just west in Ilam, a 10-minute drive or a short bus ride. Riccarton has a high concentration of student flats, cafes, cheap eats and bus links to the campus.

Which schools are in zone for Riccarton?

Children living in Riccarton are in zone for Christchurch Adventist School, Burnside High School, Villa Maria College, Christchurch Boys' High School, Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora, St Thomas of Canterbury College, Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate, Riccarton High School, Middleton Grange School, Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College, Ilam School, Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate, St Teresa's School (Riccarton). Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.

How do I check my school zone in Riccarton?

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.

Riccarton, Canterbury | Schools, Lifestyle & Local Guide

Living in Riccarton

Riccarton sits just west of central Christchurch, separated from the CBD only by Hagley Park. About 4 km from Cathedral Square, it's one of the city's busiest commercial precincts and one of its most diverse, the suburb has one of the highest Asian-population shares in Christchurch, partly because of its proximity to the University of Canterbury.

The two things to see here couldn't be more different. Westfield Riccarton is the city's main mall, opened in 1965, and at 54,000 square metres still one of the largest in the country. The other is Riccarton Bush, also called Deans Bush, the only surviving swamp forest on the Canterbury Plains. Some of the kahikatea trees in there are over 600 years old. There's a predator-proof fence around it now, and the bush sits next to Riccarton House, the homestead the Deans family built in 1855.

The Deans brothers, John and William, were the first European settlers on the Canterbury Plains, arriving in 1843. They named the Avon River. Jane Deans, the widow who built the house, fought to keep the bush wild. It's still wild.

Saturday Riccarton Market at the racecourse is the South Island's biggest.

Is Riccarton a good place to live?

Riccarton is home to roughly 9,993 people across 8.6 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Riccarton scores 60 out of 100, with a safety score of 68/100 and 5% green space.

Schools: Riccarton has 78 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 $840K, and weekly rent typically sits around $450.

Lifestyle: Riccarton has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 6.6°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.

Whether Riccarton 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

Safety68
Amenities100
Schools83
Housing Affordability45
Green space15
Community44
Transport19

Property & Economics

Est. Median Value: $840K
Median Weekly Rent: $450/wk
Median HH Income: $108K/yr
Pop. Growth (5yr): +19.5%
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 Riccarton?: Riccarton is in central Christchurch, immediately west of Hagley Park, about 4 km from Cathedral Square. It borders Upper Riccarton, Fendalton, Addington and Sockburn.
What is Westfield Riccarton?: The largest shopping mall in Christchurch, opened in 1965 and now around 54,000 square metres. It contains over 200 stores including major department stores, supermarkets, fashion, a cinema complex and the city's largest food court.
What is Riccarton Bush?: Also called Deans Bush, it's the only surviving original swamp forest on the Canterbury Plains. The 6.4-hectare reserve has kahikatea trees up to 600 years old, walking tracks, and a predator-proof fence. Free to enter.
Who were the Deans family?: Brothers John and William Deans were the first Europeans to settle on the Canterbury Plains, in 1843, two years before the formal Canterbury settlement. They built the original Deans Cottage on the Riccarton site, which still stands.
Is Riccarton good for students?: Yes. The University of Canterbury is just west in Ilam, a 10-minute drive or a short bus ride. Riccarton has a high concentration of student flats, cafes, cheap eats and bus links to the campus.

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Riccarton

Schools in zone for Riccarton

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

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
Christchurch Boys' High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1434 · decile 8
Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1302 · decile 9
St Thomas of Canterbury College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 708 · decile 8
Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 675 · decile 8
Riccarton High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1116 · decile 6
Middleton Grange School
Composite · roll 1387 · decile 9
Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 2123 · decile 3
Ilam School
Contributing · roll 368 · decile 9
Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 284 · decile 8
St Teresa's School (Riccarton)
Full Primary · roll 168 · decile 6

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

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

Medbury Preparatory School
Full Primary · roll 372 · decile 10 · 1.0 km away
Wharenui School
Full Primary · roll 393 · decile 3 · 1.1 km away
Tūora Fendalton School
Contributing · roll 405 · decile 10 · 1.3 km away
Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 705 · decile 10 · 1.7 km away
St Patrick's School (Bryndwr)
Full Primary · roll 169 · decile 7 · 1.7 km away
Elmwood Normal School
Contributing · roll 527 · decile 10 · 1.8 km away
St Margaret's College
Composite · roll 866 · decile 10 · 1.9 km away
Ferndale Te Ahu
Specialist School · roll 141 · decile 9 · 2.0 km away
Tuia Burnside Primary School
Contributing · roll 313 · decile 8 · 2.1 km away
He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 536 · decile 10 · 2.1 km away
Selwyn House School
Full Primary · roll 288 · decile 10 · 2.1 km away
Christ's College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 708 · decile 10 · 2.2 km away
The Cathedral Grammar School
Full Primary · roll 242 · decile 10 · 2.3 km away
Sacred Heart School (Christchurch)
Full Primary · roll 185 · decile 4 · 2.4 km away
Waimairi School
Contributing · roll 312 · decile 9 · 2.5 km away
St Andrew's College (Christchurch)
Composite · roll 1640 · 2.6 km away
Christ The King School (Burnside)
Full Primary · roll 309 · decile 8 · 2.7 km away
Addington Te Kura Taumatua
Contributing · roll 335 · decile 3 · 2.8 km away
Westburn Te Kura O Hereora
Full Primary · roll 450 · decile 10 · 2.8 km away
St Michael's Church School
Full Primary · roll 124 · decile 8 · 2.8 km away
Te Kāpehu Riccarton School
Full Primary · roll 353 · decile 3 · 3.0 km away
Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery
Composite · roll 650 · decile 8 · 3.1 km away
Southern Health School
Specialist School · roll 20 · decile 4 · 3.1 km away
Wairakei School (Christchurch)
Contributing · roll 201 · decile 10 · 3.1 km away
St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch)
Contributing · roll 108 · decile 9 · 3.2 km away
St Mary's School (Christchurch)
Full Primary · roll 119 · decile 4 · 3.2 km away
Avonhead School - Rakipaoa
Full Primary · roll 585 · decile 8 · 3.3 km away
Paparoa Street School
Contributing · roll 324 · decile 10 · 3.4 km away
St Albans School
Contributing · roll 562 · decile 8 · 3.4 km away
Hillmorton High School
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 1441 · decile 4 · 3.5 km away
Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate School
Intermediate · roll 485 · decile 4 · 3.5 km away
Our Lady of Victories
Full Primary · roll 251 · decile 6 · 3.5 km away
Te Kura o Mōkihi Spreydon School
Contributing · roll 276 · decile 4 · 3.5 km away
Merrin School Ngā Whetū Kohara
Full Primary · roll 441 · decile 9 · 3.7 km away
Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School
Contributing · roll 264 · decile 4 · 3.8 km away
Christchurch East School
Full Primary · roll 289 · decile 3 · 3.9 km away
Papanui High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1444 · decile 7 · 4.0 km away
Catholic Cathedral College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 598 · decile 8 · 4.0 km away
Te Kura o Te Mātāpuna Isleworth School
Contributing · roll 225 · decile 5 · 4.0 km away
Te Kōmanawa Rowley School
Contributing · roll 235 · decile 1 · 4.1 km away
St Francis of Assisi Catholic School
Full Primary · roll 463 · decile 7 · 4.3 km away
Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka
Contributing · roll 428 · decile 10 · 4.3 km away
Our Lady of the Assumption School (Chch)
Full Primary · roll 324 · decile 10 · 4.3 km away
St Joseph's School (Papanui)
Full Primary · roll 427 · decile 9 · 4.3 km away
TKKM o Te Whanau Tahi
Composite · roll 229 · decile 3 · 4.4 km away
Bishopdale School Te Kura o Papakōhatu
Contributing · roll 165 · decile 3 · 4.4 km away
Kingslea School
Specialist School · roll 125 · 4.5 km away
Mairehau Primary School
Full Primary · roll 367 · decile 5 · 4.5 km away
Papanui Primary School
Contributing · roll 225 · decile 6 · 4.5 km away
Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School
Full Primary · roll 414 · decile 7 · 4.5 km away
Marian College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 436 · decile 9 · 4.6 km away
Te Ara Maurea Roydvale School
Contributing · roll 282 · decile 9 · 4.6 km away
Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo
Contributing · roll 547 · decile 8 · 4.6 km away
Cashmere High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 2459 · decile 9 · 4.7 km away
Te Whānau o Otu Mātua
Specialist School · roll 13 · decile 2 · 4.7 km away
Breens Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 277 · decile 9 · 4.7 km away
Te Hiwa Shirley Primary School
Contributing · roll 354 · decile 3 · 4.7 km away
Waltham School
Full Primary · roll 246 · decile 3 · 4.7 km away
Aidanfield Christian School
Composite · roll 457 · decile 8 · 4.8 km away
St Peter's School Te Kura Haoika
Full Primary · roll 155 · decile 8 · 4.8 km away
St Bede's College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 811 · decile 9 · 4.9 km away
Casebrook Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 441 · decile 6 · 4.9 km away
Wigram Primary School - Te Piki Kāhu
Contributing · roll 469 · 4.9 km away
Cotswold Mātāhae School
Contributing · roll 537 · decile 8 · 5.0 km away
Christchurch North College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 53 · 5.0 km away

Explore Riccarton

Things to do(24)

Sculpt Reformer Pilates

Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery

F45 Training

SoulStudio

Prosecco Pilates

Fitstop

Boulder Co. Christchurch

50 Plus Fitness

Mona Vale Garden Park

Crockfords Bridge Club

Shand Crescent Reserve

Peveral Street Park

Harrington Park

JKA Christchurch Canterbury

Game Over Christchurch

Flex Fitness Riccarton

Beyondance Co Ltd

Bodyinmotion Studio

Aotearoa Kendo Club

Boulder Co Christchurch

Boxfit Brothers

Affinity Fitness

Proactive Martial Arts

Anytime Fitness Riccarton

Parks & green spaces(4)

Mona Vale Garden Park

Shand Crescent Reserve

Peveral Street Park

Harrington Park

Healthcare(5)

Chemist Warehouse

Straven Medical

Hanafins Pharmacy

Month	High (°C)	Low (°C)	Rainfall (mm/day)	Sunshine (hrs/day)
☀️ Jan	21.97	13.19	46.87	11.87
☀️ Feb	21.29	12.72	103.9	9.31
🍂 Mar	19.16	10.49	59.43	9.07
🍂 Apr	17.59	8.82	42.9	8.39
🍂 May	14.79	5.97	47.67	6.39
❄️ Jun	12.26	4.91	54.53	5.46
❄️ Jul	11.07	3.32	127.03	5.78
❄️ Aug	12.57	3.52	51.53	7.47
🌸 Sep	14.91	5.55	53.27	8.74
🌸 Oct	16.71	6.71	55.9	10.37
🌸 Nov	18.65	9.76	73.73	11.39
☀️ Dec	20.88	12.09	59.4	10.64

Living in Riccarton

Is Riccarton a good place to live?

Map

Livability Breakdown

Property & Economics

Key Financial Indicators (NZD)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools & Enrolment Zones in Riccarton

Schools in zone for Riccarton

Christchurch Adventist School

Burnside High School

Villa Maria College

Christchurch Boys' High School

Christchurch Girls' High School -Te Kura o Hine Waiora

St Thomas of Canterbury College

Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate

Riccarton High School

Middleton Grange School

Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College

Ilam School

Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate

St Teresa's School (Riccarton)

Check your school zone

School Zone Checker

Other nearby schools

Medbury Preparatory School

Wharenui School

Tūora Fendalton School

Rangi Ruru Girls' School

St Patrick's School (Bryndwr)

Elmwood Normal School

St Margaret's College

Ferndale Te Ahu

Tuia Burnside Primary School

He Tīwai Mātauranga Heaton Normal Intermediate

Selwyn House School

Christ's College

The Cathedral Grammar School

Sacred Heart School (Christchurch)

Waimairi School

St Andrew's College (Christchurch)

Christ The King School (Burnside)

Addington Te Kura Taumatua

Westburn Te Kura O Hereora

St Michael's Church School

Te Kāpehu Riccarton School

Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery

Southern Health School

Wairakei School (Christchurch)

St Albans Catholic School (Christchurch)

St Mary's School (Christchurch)

Avonhead School - Rakipaoa

Paparoa Street School

St Albans School

Hillmorton High School

Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate School

Our Lady of Victories

Te Kura o Mōkihi Spreydon School

Merrin School Ngā Whetū Kohara

Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School

Christchurch East School

Papanui High School

Catholic Cathedral College

Te Kura o Te Mātāpuna Isleworth School

Te Kōmanawa Rowley School

St Francis of Assisi Catholic School

Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka

Our Lady of the Assumption School (Chch)

St Joseph's School (Papanui)

TKKM o Te Whanau Tahi

Bishopdale School Te Kura o Papakōhatu

Kingslea School

Mairehau Primary School

Papanui Primary School

Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Marian College

Te Ara Maurea Roydvale School

Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo

Cashmere High School

Things to do(24)

Parks & green spaces(4)

Healthcare(5)

Places to eat & drink(163)