Aucklanders are willing to pay more for homes that bring daily life within easy reach, new research from Auckland Council’s Chief Economist Unit shows.

The analysis, based on 2024 property valuations, found demand is strongest in suburbs close to jobs, public transport, shops, schools, and parks.

Land values, a measure of what buyers will pay for location, drop the further you move from the city centre.

Chief Economist Gary Blick says the pattern is clear.

“The more central locations within Auckland tend to be in highest demand with land values generally declining as you move further out from the city centre,” he says.

Estimated residential land values per square metre

Source: Auckland Council Chief Economist Unit

While every neighbourhood matters, the data shows people place the highest value on convenience and shorter commutes.

On the Hibiscus Coast, the findings highlight the trade-offs many locals make.

While the Coast offers beaches and space, higher land values closer to the city show how much weight buyers give to transport and job access.

For many Coasties, that plays out in long SH1 commutes and the wait for Penlink to ease the pressure.

Planning rules also matter.

Land zoned for terraced housing or apartments carries higher value, as it allows more productive use.

Blick says enabling housing where demand is strongest helps ensure new homes actually get built, making the city more affordable.

Gary Blick, Auckland Council Chief Economist.

“Cities work better when people can live closer to what they need,” Blick says.

That, he adds, supports productivity, higher wages, and a more liveable Auckland.

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