- Est. Median Value
- $629K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $350/wk
- Safety Score
- 43/100
- Green Space
- 15%
- Current Weather
- 9.7°C
- Median Age
- 49 yrs
~82 crimes/1k/yr
broken clouds
Living in Whangārei
Whangarei is the northernmost city in New Zealand, around 160 km north of Auckland, and the main service centre for the whole Northland region. Population around 55,000 in the city proper, double that across the wider district. The CBD wraps around the Hātea River, with the Town Basin marina at the heart of it.
The Town Basin is the city's centrepiece: a working marina with cafés, restaurants, art galleries, the Whangarei Quarry Gardens nearby, and the kind of waterfront setting that punches well above what you'd expect from a Northland city. The Hundertwasser Art Centre on the Town Basin, opened in 2022 after a 20-year campaign, is one of the country's more distinctive newer buildings: golden onion-dome roof, organic tiled walls, a working art gallery and viewing terrace.
The Hihiaua Cultural Centre on the riverbank tells local Ngāpuhi and Ngātiwai histories. The Whangarei Art Museum, the Claphams National Clock Museum and the Whangarei i-SITE round out the cultural anchors.
Cameron Street is the main shopping spine. Whangarei District Council, the Northland Regional Council and most government services are based in the city. Auckland is a 2.5-hour drive south.
Is Whangārei a good place to live?
Whangārei is home to roughly 858 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Whangārei scores 55 out of 100, with a safety score of 43/100 and 15% green space.
Schools: Whangārei has 21 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 $629K, and weekly rent typically sits around $350.
Lifestyle: Whangārei has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. Public transport stops are within easy reach. The current temperature is 9.7°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Whangārei 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
- Safety43
- Amenities100
- Schools50
- Housing Affordability60
- Green space50
- Community11
- Transport10
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $629K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $350/wk
- Median HH Income
- $56K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- -10.1%
- 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 Whangarei?
- Whangarei is the northernmost city in New Zealand, around 160 km north of Auckland on State Highway 1. It's the main service centre for the Northland region, with the Hātea River running through the central city.
- What is the Hundertwasser Art Centre?
- The Hundertwasser Art Centre on the Whangarei Town Basin opened in 2022 after a 20-year campaign. It features a golden onion-dome roof, organic tiled walls and a working art gallery.
- What is the Whangarei Town Basin?
- The Whangarei Town Basin is a working marina at the heart of the city, with cafés, restaurants, art galleries, the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Hihiaua Cultural Centre. The Hātea Loop walking path runs around it.
- How do I get from Auckland to Whangarei?
- By car, around 2.5 to 3 hours via SH1 north through the Brynderwyn hills. InterCity buses run multiple daily services. Air New Zealand flights from Auckland to Whangarei Airport take around 40 minutes.
- What is the Hihiaua Cultural Centre?
- The Hihiaua Cultural Centre on the Hātea River foreshore is a Māori cultural centre showcasing local Ngāpuhi and Ngātiwai histories, with exhibitions, performances and a carving school. Open most days; entry fees vary by event.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Whangārei
Schools in zone for Whangārei
Children living in Whangārei have a guaranteed right to enrol at these schools, based on Ministry of Education home zones.
Whangarei School
Contributing · roll 461 · decile 4
Whangārei Boys' High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1464 · decile 4
Whangārei Girls' High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 1540 · decile 4
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Whangārei. 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 Whangārei that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Whangarei Intermediate
Intermediate · roll 528 · decile 4 · 0.4 km away
Renew School
Composite · roll 198 · 0.6 km away
Blomfield Special School and Resource Ctre
Specialist School · roll 177 · 0.7 km away
Morningside School
Contributing · roll 312 · decile 3 · 1.0 km away
Te Kāpehu Whetū
Composite · roll 172 · 1.0 km away
Hora Hora School (Te Mai)
Contributing · roll 310 · decile 2 · 1.5 km away
He Mataariki School for Teen Parents
Teen Parent Unit · 2.3 km away
St Francis Xavier Catholic School (Whangarei)
Contributing · roll 457 · decile 6 · 2.6 km away
Manaia View School
Full Primary · roll 185 · decile 1 · 2.6 km away
Whau Valley School
Contributing · roll 315 · decile 2 · 2.8 km away
Te Kura O Otangarei
Full Primary · roll 87 · decile 1 · 3.4 km away
Whangarei Adventist Christian School
Full Primary · roll 30 · decile 3 · 3.4 km away
Pompallier Catholic College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 654 · decile 7 · 4.4 km away
Te Kamo Intermediate School
Intermediate · roll 622 · decile 5 · 4.4 km away
Tikipunga Primary School
Contributing · roll 326 · decile 1 · 4.4 km away
Maunu School
Contributing · roll 311 · decile 8 · 4.7 km away
Te Kamo High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 818 · decile 4 · 4.8 km away
Tikipunga High School
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 372 · decile 1 · 4.8 km away
Explore Whangārei
Things to do(13)
Claphams Clock Museum
MD Gallery
Gallery (For Lease)
Curves
Anytime Fitness
The Studio Fitness
Northland Rugby Union
Just Thrive
Old Library Arts Centre
Whangārei Art Museum
Wairau Māori Art Gallery
Whangarei Action Zone
The Energy Hub
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare(5)
Life Pharmacy
Rathbone Clinic
Te Aroha Noa Medical Centre
White cross doctors
Chemist Warehouse
Eat & Drink in Whangārei
Places to eat & drink(57)
Bob Cafe
Dickens Inn
Indian Aroma
Judge House of Ale
La Familia Cafe
Beer & Loathing
Split
Shotgun Betty's
Sun Wah Restaurant
Amici
Omoide Memories
Fat Camel
Wildside
The Quay
Brauhaus Frings
Bright Cafe
Caffeine
Grand Thai restaurant
Killer Prawn and Killer Pizza
Mokaba Cafe
Rascals Cafe
Riverside Cafe
Shiraz Indian Restaurant
The Bakehouse Cafe
Turkish Delight
Stakeout Bar and Grill
Gopals
Deluca
Thai Chef's Kitchen
Chill
Old Stone Butterfactory
Nectar
Butterbank
Grind Cafe
Ezumi
Esquires Coffee
Pimarn Thai
Suncourt Sushi
Fresh
Cabbage Tree
Nan Hot Pot
Handsome Frog Cafe
The Green Bean
Body Fuel
Vacant
Hannsang Korean Restaurant
Sabio Coffee
No. 8 Restaurant & Bar
Kahvi
Fox Bar
Show all 57 businesses
Serenity Cafe
Turkish Delight
Pure Bar & Grill
Tumeric
Oliver's
Dragonfruit Cafe
Christiez Coffee Container
Tradies & Services in Whangārei
Tradies & services(5)
Gas and Tyre
Hillcon Group
Hyundai
IC Prestige
Midas Whangarei
Beauty & Fitness in Whangārei
Beauty & fitness(6)
Anytime Fitness
Curves
Just Thrive
The Energy Hub
The Studio Fitness
Whangarei Action Zone
Professional Services in Whangārei
Professional services(5)
Jesse Silulu - Financial Adviser
Loan Market Whangarei
MAQ Chartered Accountants Limited
Sudburys Limited
Zest Brokers
Stay in Whangārei
Places to stay(1)
Grand Hotel
Whangārei Weather
Current conditions: 9.7°C, broken clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 22.83 | 16.42 | 6.42 | 10.3 |
| ☀️ Feb | 23.22 | 15.34 | 5.79 | 10.5 |
| 🍂 Mar | 21.64 | 12.84 | 0.96 | 10.22 |
| 🍂 Apr | 19.87 | 13.43 | 3.94 | 8.24 |
| 🍂 May | 17.06 | 10.96 | 3.62 | 8.09 |
| ❄️ Jun | 15.54 | 9.43 | 3.89 | 7.01 |
| ❄️ Jul | 14.7 | 8.25 | 4.02 | 7.55 |
| ❄️ Aug | 14.77 | 7.18 | 2.78 | 8.21 |
| 🌸 Sep | 16.8 | 9.51 | 3.02 | 9.33 |
| 🌸 Oct | 17.71 | 10.57 | 4.47 | 10.29 |
| 🌸 Nov | 19.78 | 11.36 | 2.95 | 11.19 |
| ☀️ Dec | 22.91 | 14.71 | 3.7 | 11.15 |
Whangārei Community
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