AUCKLAND’S HERNE BAY IS HARD TO BEAT

THE MOST EXCLUSIVE NEW ZEALAND SUBURB OFFERS ICONIC ESTATES AND A FRIENDLY VIBE

Sunrise in Auckland, looking north toward Harbour Bridge from Herne Bay. Auckland’s Herne Bay, the most expensive and exclusive suburb in New Zealand, is prized for its friendliness, its beaches, and its iconic grand estates.

It’s a close-knit community whose small-town vibe is so appealing that it’s not uncommon for properties to stay in the same family for generations.

“Everybody knows everybody here,” says Scarlett Wood, senior director of international business, New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty. “People walk their dogs in the morning, head to local cafes and shops, or take beautiful beach walks.”

GRAND ESTATES WITH OLD-WORLD STYLE Herne Bay, which is named after the seaside resort in England’s County of Kent, is on the southwestern shore of Waitemata Harbor to the west of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It’s what Wood calls “pocket size” small: According to the 2018 census, only 3,036 people are lucky enough to call it home.

Since its founding in the 1850s, Herne Bay has attracted well-to-do professionals, who built grand estates, complete with private jetties and boathouses that allow them to commute swiftly and in style to the center of town.

“Typically, people buy into Herne Bay and want to have land, space for children, and outdoor space,” Wood says. “They are business owners, senior corporate people, people in finance, in IT, and returning expats.”

The housing stock consists primarily of villas, many of which were built during the Edwardian age, which was from 1901 to 1914. They are defined by gracious rooms, high ceilings, wide hallways, large windows, and intricate detailing. Lot sizes, which are reflected in the price, range from 300 to 2,000 square meters.

“Many have retained the traditional exterior look with a complete makeover inside to reflect the best of both worlds, a mix of heritage and modern age,” Wood says, adding that “properties that have a dated house are also highly sought after as people are buying the land and taking on a complete rebuild job.”

Prices of entry-level residences start at NZ$3 million (US$1.85 million), Wood says, adding that the median property value is NZ$3.6 million. Prime properties, which come with larger lots and more architectural character, typically range from NZ$5 million to over NZ$20 million.

Townhouses and apartments, which are rare, also command premium prices. A brand-new two-bedroom townhouse generally will bring NZ$2 million, Wood says, and a three-bedroom townhouse typically will sell for NZ$3 million.

These housing options, Wood says, “tend to be popular with downsizers from local areas who enjoy the convenience of lock-and-leave and want to stay in Herne Bay.”

WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE “Herne Bay residents generally don’t move out of Herne Bay,” Wood says. “Newcomers buy in Herne Bay because of its culture, location, easy commute, safety, neighborhood, and the people.”

The community is defined by what she calls “its own hospitality hub” on Jervois Road.

For luxury shopping , residents head

NZ$3,245,000

Property ID: NZE11549 | sothebysrealty.com New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty

to Ponsonby’s Queen Street, which is 10 minutes by car, or to the designer fashion boutiques of Newmarket, a retail district that’s a 15-minute drive away.

As its name implies, Herne Bay is a community that revolves around water and water activities.

“Many residents have their boats or yachts docked in Westhaven Marina, which is less than a five-minute drive away,” Wood says.

Herne Bay is also conveniently located. Residents can take a 15-minute drive to the helicopter base Heletranz to fly to Waiheke Island, which is known for its beaches and wineries, or to the Bay of Islands, a collection of 140 isles that offers pristine beaches, big-game fishing, Maori cultural artifacts, and the historic waterfront promenade of the 19th-century whaling port of Russell.

Many residents send their children to Bayfield School, a primary school. There are several other options in Remuera, an affluent suburb 12 miles away.

For cultural activities, residents head to downtown Auckland. Attractions include Auckland Art Gallery, which has the country’s most extensive collection of national and international art; Auckland Town Hall, an early 20th-century building that has a concert hall for public performances; and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which has exhibits and shows that focus on military history and natural science.

This 175-squaremeter townhouse in Herne Bay has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.