- Est. Median Value
- $656K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $445/wk
- Safety Score
- 83/100
- Green Space
- 87%
- Current Weather
- 9.3°C
- Median Age
- 40 yrs
~42 crimes/1k/yr
broken clouds
Living in The Brook
The Brook is a small Nelson suburb in the valley behind the central city, around 3 km southeast of the CBD up Brook Street. It's a quiet hillside suburb with a few hundred residents, the kind of place where the speed limit drops and the houses spread out. The most interesting thing about The Brook isn't actually the suburb. It's the sanctuary behind it.
The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary, at the head of the valley, is a 690-hectare fenced predator-free wildlife reserve - one of the largest fenced sanctuaries in the South Island. Established in 1997, it's home to recovering populations of kiwi, kākā, tūī, geckos and lizards rarely seen on the mainland. Open daily, modest entry fee, with guided night walks for kiwi spotting.
The Brook Bar on the way up to the sanctuary is the local gathering spot. Beyond that, the suburb is mostly residential streets running along the Brook Stream, with mature bush on either side and the kind of quiet that you only get up a dead-end valley.
There's no shopping centre, no school within The Brook itself. Most residents drive into central Nelson for groceries and services. The kind of suburb people choose for the trees and the silence.
Is The Brook a good place to live?
The Brook is home to roughly 1,896 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, The Brook scores 56 out of 100, with a safety score of 83/100 and 87% green space.
Schools: The Brook has 15 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 $656K, and weekly rent typically sits around $445.
Lifestyle: The Brook has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 9.3°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether The Brook 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
- Safety83
- Amenities10
- Schools69
- Housing Affordability57
- Green space100
- Community67
- Transport20
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $656K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $445/wk
- Median HH Income
- $86K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- -4.8%
- 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 The Brook?
- The Brook is a small Nelson valley suburb around 3 km southeast of the central city, at the head of Brook Street. It sits in the valley behind central Nelson, with the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary at the valley head.
- What is the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary?
- The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary is a 690-hectare fenced predator-free wildlife reserve at the head of the Brook Valley, established in 1997. Home to kiwi, kākā, tūī and other native species. Open daily for visitors.
- Can you see kiwi at the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary?
- Yes. The sanctuary runs guided night walks specifically for kiwi spotting, with experienced guides leading small groups through the bush. Booking essential. Kiwi sightings are not guaranteed but common.
- How do I get from central Nelson to The Brook?
- By car, around 8 to 10 minutes via Hardy Street and Brook Street. There is no regular bus service to The Brook, so driving or cycling are the main options. Limited parking at the sanctuary.
- Are there shops in The Brook?
- The Brook has no shopping centre or supermarket. The Brook Bar is the main local hospitality venue. Most residents drive into central Nelson (around 8 minutes away) for groceries and services.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in The Brook
Schools in zone for The Brook
No enrolment-zoned schools cover The Brook. The schools below are the nearest options — many operate open enrolment.
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in The Brook. 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 The Brook that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
St Joseph's School (Nelson)
Full Primary · roll 345 · decile 5 · 1.1 km away
Nelson College For Girls Prep School
Intermediate · roll 98 · decile 7 · 1.1 km away
Nelson College
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1037 · decile 7 · 1.2 km away
Nelson College For Girls
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 985 · decile 7 · 1.2 km away
Hampden Street School
Contributing · roll 422 · decile 6 · 1.2 km away
Nelson Central School
Contributing · roll 370 · decile 5 · 1.2 km away
Nelson College (Prep Dept)
Intermediate · roll 98 · decile 7 · 1.2 km away
Maitai School
Specialist School · roll 59 · decile 7 · 1.7 km away
Te Puna Wānanga o Te Wairepo – Victory Primary School
Contributing · roll 343 · decile 2 · 1.8 km away
Nelson Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 413 · decile 5 · 1.9 km away
Auckland Point School
Contributing · roll 83 · decile 1 · 2.4 km away
Nelson Teen Parent Unit
Teen Parent Unit · decile 1 · 2.5 km away
Enner Glynn School
Contributing · roll 306 · decile 7 · 3.6 km away
Tahunanui School
Contributing · roll 265 · decile 4 · 3.8 km away
Nelson Christian Academy
Full Primary · roll 311 · decile 6 · 4.9 km away
Explore The Brook
Things to do(2)
Eureka Park
Fly Fishing With Latitude Guiding
Parks & green spaces(1)
Eureka Park
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Tradies & Services in The Brook
Tradies & services(2)
Mint Upholstery
Nelson Deck, Patio, and Pergola Builders
Beauty & Fitness in The Brook
Beauty & fitness(1)
Fly Fishing With Latitude Guiding
Professional Services in The Brook
Professional services(1)
GetSharpNelson
The Brook Weather
Current conditions: 9.3°C, broken clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 21.65 | 14.47 | 2.56 | 11.26 |
| ☀️ Feb | 21.23 | 14.01 | 3.53 | 11.25 |
| 🍂 Mar | 19.24 | 11.35 | 2.18 | 10.38 |
| 🍂 Apr | 17.24 | 10.99 | 5.52 | 8.3 |
| 🍂 May | 14.76 | 8.38 | 5.62 | 6.83 |
| ❄️ Jun | 13.34 | 7.15 | 3.77 | 7 |
| ❄️ Jul | 12.64 | 6.01 | 1.92 | 7.39 |
| ❄️ Aug | 12.52 | 5.41 | 3.52 | 8.67 |
| 🌸 Sep | 14.77 | 7.72 | 2.99 | 8.97 |
| 🌸 Oct | 16.21 | 8.77 | 5.63 | 10.42 |
| 🌸 Nov | 17.95 | 10.65 | 3.16 | 11.09 |
| ☀️ Dec | 21.22 | 13.73 | 2.95 | 11.44 |
The Brook Community
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Local tips
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