Up by $300,000! What makes homes in Auckland’s leading school zones so desirable? With prestigious schools and convenient locations, no wonder so many Chinese buyers are competing for them!

New Zealand state schools operate an enrolment zone system, with a family’s home address determining which nearby school their children can attend. Tuition at state schools is essentially free, and schools receive substantial government funding each year. Each state school has its own strictly defined enrolment zone.

 

A home within the zone of a top school therefore reflects parents’ commitment to their children’s future and offers strong potential for capital growth. Beyond the quality of teaching at the school itself, amenities and conditions around homes in different school zones also vary considerably.

 

YIJU will explore some of Auckland’s leading state school zones, starting today with Auckland Grammar School.

 

Auckland Grammar School

 

Auckland Grammar School is a decile 10 state secondary school for boys with a history spanning more than 150 years. It enrols students from Year Nine to Year Thirteen.

 

As of 2020, the school had 2606 students, making it New Zealand’s third-largest school and one of its most prestigious. Successive cohorts have achieved academic results that rank among the best of all secondary schools nationally. The school has also won numerous sporting honours, keeping it well ahead in national school rankings. In the 2024 Crimson rankings, Auckland Grammar School placed tenth overall and second among Auckland state schools.

 

 

Auckland Grammar School’s academic performance is outstanding: it has a 100% pass rate in Cambridge International A-level examinations, a university entrance examination pass rate of 90% over the past 17 years, and results in the top 1% in other international examinations.

 

Beyond its academic performance, Auckland Grammar School has impressive facilities, including an assembly hall, tennis courts, a swimming pool, an indoor sports hall, a hockey field, a concert hall and a library. Cultural activities range from a symphony orchestra to film appreciation, and students have regular opportunities to travel overseas to take part in world-class competitions.

 

 

Advantages of the area

The Auckland Grammar School zone is known for its excellent education options and comprehensive surrounding amenities, offering residents a convenient living environment. The zone extends across several central Auckland suburbs, including Remuera, Newmarket, Epsom, Parnell, Grafton and Mt Eden. In some suburbs, only a few streets fall within the zone, while in others it covers a much larger area.

 

 

Central Auckland’s location speaks for itself: it is arguably the heart of the city, with clear advantages for commuting by bus, train or car。

 

The zone has several shopping centres, supermarkets and neighbourhood shops, easily meeting residents’ everyday needs. Westfield Newmarket is one of Auckland’s largest shopping centres, with numerous international brands, restaurants, cafés and entertainment facilities. Remuera, Mt Eden and Parnell also have many boutiques, restaurants and cafés, providing a wide range of shopping and dining options. Several medical centres, pharmacies and gyms within the zone ensure residents can readily meet their health needs.

 

Several well-known schools are located within and around the zone. Alongside Auckland Grammar School itself are other schools popular with parents, including the equally renowned state school Epsom Girls’ Grammar School and private schools St Cuthbert’s College and King’s School. These schools give local families a wide range of educational choices, meeting the learning needs of students of different ages.

 

House prices and potential for capital growth

 

Using Valocity data, the NZ Herald tracked house prices in Auckland’s school zones. The findings show that the median house price in the Auckland Grammar School zone was NZ$1,200,000 in 2024, up NZ$320,000, or 39%, since 2014.

 

Given Auckland Grammar School’s reputation as a prestigious, long-established school and central Auckland’s excellent location, house prices were already high, so this increase is not particularly dramatic. Nevertheless, it shows that the zone’s potential for capital growth is well supported.

 

 

 

If you want to buy within the school zone, how should you choose between the popular suburbs of Remuera, Epsom, Parnell and Newmarket?

 

Barfoot & Thompson sales data from January to July 2024

 

Remuera

According to Barfoot & Thompson sales data from January to July 2024, Remuera’s median property price was NZ$2,190,000, with a relatively high sales volume of 56 properties. The suburb offers a variety of property types, with 4-bedroom homes the most common, selling for a median price of NZ$2,300,000.

 

 

If you need more living space, want to live in an upmarket neighbourhood and have a generous budget, Remuera is an ideal choice. One of Auckland’s traditionally desirable suburbs, it combines school zoning, attractive surroundings and a convenient location. It is particularly well suited to families seeking a quiet lifestyle in a premium residential area.

 

Epsom

 

Barfoot & Thompson sales data from January to July 2024 shows that Epsom’s median property price was NZ$1,654,000, with 68 properties sold, the highest sales volume among the four suburbs. The market for 3-bedroom homes was the most active, with a median price of NZ$1,480,000, offering relatively good value for money.

 

 

Like Remuera, Epsom is a traditionally desirable suburb. Auckland Grammar School is in Epsom, allowing local students to walk to school. If you are looking for a home that offers good value close to Auckland Grammar School, Epsom is worth considering. Properties here are predominantly standalone houses, suited to families seeking a sense of community and convenient transport.

 

Parnell

 

Barfoot & Thompson sales data from January to July 2024 shows that Parnell’s median property price was NZ$1,500,000, relatively low among the four suburbs. However, only 21 properties sold over the six-month period.

 

Parnell enjoys sea views, but it is a small suburb beside the city centre with a limited supply of properties. Families hoping to settle here may need more time to find a home that meets their requirements. Parnell’s apartments have a relatively low median price of NZ$380,000, making them an ideal choice for first-home buyers or investors. If you want to live in an area rich in history and culture, Parnell could be a good option.

 

Newmarket

 

Barfoot & Thompson sales data from January to July 2024 shows that Newmarket’s median property price was NZ$779,750, making it the most affordable of the four suburbs. Sales volumes were low, however, with just 12 properties sold. Apartments were the most active part of the local market, with a median price of NZ$580,000, making them well suited to young families or investors.