Auckland's biggest riser in the latest OneRoof Property Report figures isn't even in Auckland.
Wellsford, on the northern most fringes of the Greater Auckland Region, grew 3.4 percent in the second quarter of 2018, well ahead of Auckland's next best performing suburb.
Median values of properties in the town, which is home to just over 2000 people, hit $540,700 in the three months to June 30, a price point that also saw it claim the title of Auckland's most affordable suburb.
The leap in values is reflective of the area's increasing popularity with lifestyle buyers and the development of infrastructure projects such as the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway, meaning shorter commutes for buyers who may still have business in Auckland.
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Growth in the Auckland has largely been flat, with buyer activity largely focused around the fringes, where property tends to be more affordable.
Of the region's 167 suburbs, only 59 suburbs saw growth or suffered no change in values. And of that number just 21 showed house value growth of 1 percent or more.
Next to Wellsford, the highest performing suburbs were Chatswood (up 2.8 percent to $1,280,900) and Windsor Park (up 2.3 percent to $1,208,300).
The biggest losers were Forrest Hill (down 5.00 percent to $1,177,650); Sunnynook (down 3.90 percent to $984,600) and Waiake (down 3.50 percent to $1,388,050), all on the North Shore.
Mark Macky, director of Bayleys in the North, says Wellsford's surge in values was being driven by affordability, infrastructure development and lifestyle.
"People have finally woken up to the fact that there is still affordable housing to buy in Wellsford," he says.
"Where investment in infrastructure goes, investment in real estate normally follows. The motorway will be extended to Warkworth within three years, and this will reduce commuting time to Auckland significantly."
He says many Aucklanders were making the choice to move into less built-up areas within the city's reach in order to enjoy a better work-life balance.
"Certainly we are seeing more younger families moving into the area. The Kaipara Harbour is only minutes away, as is the east coast and Mangawhai, there are lots of things to do in the district, yet it’s under an hour from Auckland," he says.
Auckland's biggest risers and fallers by region
Rodney
The Rodney district saw overall growth of 0.80 percent in the second quarter. After Wellsford, Army Bay was the strongest performer, growing 1.4 percent, for a median value of $918,450.
Conversely, nearby Arkles Bay declined 1.2 percent, for a median value of $863,700
The most expensive suburb in the area was Omaha, with a median value of $1,688,400 for the second quarter. However, it also saw the largest value decline for the period, losing 2.9 percent. The next biggest slip by suburb was in Manly, which lost 2.5 percent, and Red Beach, which saw a decline of 2.2 percent.
North Shore
Of all the regions in Auckland, North Shore slipped the most, going down -0.90 percent overall for the quarter.
Of the North Shore’s suburbs, Forrest Hill experienced the biggest decline, dropping 5.00 percent over the second quarter, followed by Sunnynook (-3.90 percent) and Waiake (-3.50 percent). However, the region had two suburbs in the top three performers: Chatswood, which saw value growth of 2.8 percent, and Windsor Park, up 2.3 percent.
Stanley Point is the most expensive suburb in the area, boasting a median value of $2,039,700 for the second quarter, while Birkdale is the most affordable, with a median value of $794,200.
Auckland City
Auckland City saw a marginal slip of 0.10 percent as a whole for the three months to June 30.
Of the area’s suburbs, Auckland Central remains the cheapest – and second cheapest overall - with a median value of $542,050, though this is largely due to the volume of lower priced apartments in the suburb.
Westmere saw the biggest rise in median values, gaining 2.0 percent over the second quarter, followed by One Tree Hill (up 1.4 percent) and Grey Lynn (up 1.3 percent).
Glen Innes saw the biggest value slip (it was down 2.1 percent for the three months to June 30), followed by nearby Pt. England (down 1.8 percent) and Ponsonby and Parnell, both of which dropped 1.7 percent.
Herne Bay remains the area’s most expensive suburb, and New Zealand’s most expensive overall, with a median value of $2,621,400 for the quarter to June 30. It is followed by neighbouring St Mary's Bay ($2,222,200).
Waitakere City
West Auckland saw a flat second quarter, with just 0.20 percent growth overall. Its best performing suburb, Glen Eden, saw a rise of just 0.8 percent.
Several suburbs in the area suffered significant value drops, with West Harbour (down 3.5 percent) and Kelston (down 3.2 percent) dropping the most.
Piha remains the area’s most expensive suburb, with a median value of $1,040,100 for the three months to June 30. It is closely trailed by West Harbour, which has a median value of $1,009,900. The cheapest suburb in the area was Ranui, which has a median value of $707,500.
Manukau/East Auckland
South and East Auckland saw a fairly flat quarter in terms of overall value growth, rising 0.10 percent, though some suburbs in the region saw positive upward movement.
Somerville was the top performer, with growth of 2.20 percent, followed closely by Northpark, up 2.10 percent.
Manurewa East saw the largest fall, with the median value there dropping 3.0 percent. Buckland's Beach also dipped (-1.7 percent) as did Mellons Bay (-1.6 percent).
Papakura / Franklin
Auckland's southernmost district saw a flat yet stable second quarter in terms of median value, with no great rises but also no significant declines.
Takanini was the top performing suburb, rising 1.50 percent over the three months to June 30.
The suburb showing the biggest fall in median values was Rosehill, which only dropped a marginal 0.7 percent.
The most expensive suburb remains Clark's Beach, which has a median value of $803,200, while the cheapest suburb in the district is Manukau, on $555,350.
