The 15 best places to live in New Zealand

Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city, has come a long way since the 2010-2011 earthquakes, transforming into a lively, modern hub with a welcoming community of nearly 400,000 people. Work opportunities are solid, but the lifestyle here really steals the show: you’ve got surf spots, ski slopes, scenic hikes, and breathtaking natural gems like Mt Hutt and the Banks Peninsula just a short drive away.

It’s a bit colder in winter and quieter than Auckland, but Christchurch’s lower cost of living makes it a top choice if you’re after a balance between urban life and outdoor adventure.

• Average property asking price: $688,200
• Average weekly rent: $590

Thinking of buying in Christchurch? Here are the top locations.

Tauranga might be much smaller than Auckland or Christchurch, with just over 160,000 residents, but it has plenty going for it. With a warm climate and some of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches, it’s the perfect spot if you’re craving a laid-back, beachy lifestyle. Tauranga’s job market has variety too — tourism and agriculture are strong here, plus the city’s busy port adds even more opportunities.

Though property prices have risen recently, and there are a few traffic issues, Tauranga offers that relaxed, coastal vibe many people are after.

• Average property asking price: $1.09 million
• Average weekly rent: $645

Check out our Bay of Plenty regional property market insights.

Wānaka is a small but booming ski town in the far south of New Zealand with a population under 20,000. It’s famous for its stunning lake and mountains, with easy access to world-class wineries, hiking trails, skiing and adventure sports. It’s increasingly become home to remote workers and migrants from larger New Zealand cities seeking a more relaxed, outdoorsy lifestyle.

This little town may offer the ultimate lifestyle, but it doesn’t come cheap. Wānaka is one of New Zealand’s most expensive areas to live and employment opportunities outside of tourism, hospitality and agriculture are limited compared with larger cities. 

Homes.co.nz estimated median house value in Wanaka: $1.66m

Check out this amazing Wanaka holiday home.

Dunedin, with around 134,600 residents, is a city rich in character and history. Named after Edinburgh, Dunedin embraces its Scottish roots with Victorian and Edwardian architecture all around. Home to New Zealand’s second-largest university, it’s got a vibrant student vibe, an emerging food scene, and tons of natural beauty — from surf beaches to mountains and national parks close by.

Yes, Dunedin can be cold and wet, but with a lower cost of living than many major cities, it’s an affordable and charming spot with plenty to offer.

• Average property asking price: $867, 750
• Average weekly rent: $650

Find out why Dunedin has a lot to offer first home buyers.

Wellington, New Zealand's capital, sits at the southern tip of the North Island and is home to about 216,000 people. Known as the country's cultural hub, it boasts a lively arts scene, countless craft breweries, and a steady lineup of concerts and museum exhibits.

While Wellington’s infamous winds and high property prices can be a challenge, there's a lot to love about this "coolest little capital" — vibrant, compact, and full of character.

• Average property asking price: $781,300
• Average weekly rent: $650

Get the full picture of what's happening in the Wellington property market.

Hamilton, just a 90-minute drive south of Auckland, is nestled along the scenic Waikato River and is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities. Thanks to its more affordable housing and family-friendly vibe, it’s become a popular spot for young families looking for a quieter alternative to Auckland.

Hamilton may not be as bustling as its northern neighbor, but it offers a lively restaurant and nightlife scene and is surrounded by stunning countryside. The job market here is also on the rise, with growth across a variety of industries — making Hamilton a city on the up.

Explore the hotspots to buy in Waikato.

Nelson is a town in the north of the South Island with a population of around 50,000 people. It’s surrounded by hundreds of miles of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastline, including the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, as well as great vineyards. 

If you fancy a slower pace, lots of sunshine and beautiful beaches, Nelson is hard to beat. 

Read our update on the Nelson property market.

An hour's drive from Wānaka', in the South Island you’ll find Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital and one of its most visited locations. The picture-perfect town is built around a stunning lake and mountain ranges, and nearby there’s phenomenal mountain biking, skiing, bungee jumping and luxury dining. 

While there’s no doubting Queenstown’s appeal, it’s one of the country’s most expensive property markets and employment opportunities outside of tourism and hospitality are limited if you can’t work remotely. 

Napier is a coastal city on the east coast of New Zealand in the beautiful Hawke's Bay region. It’s famous for its beautifully preserved art deco architecture and its location near several of New Zealand’s best wineries and its frequently sunny weather. 

New Plymouth is a small city on the central west coast of New Zealand’s north island, that’s surrounded by natural beauty, including great surf beaches and the beautiful Mt Taranaki. It’s got plenty of parks and greenspace, great bars and restaurants and a fairly slow pace lifestyle - perfect for young, outdoorsy families. 

Rotorua is a small city about three hours south of Auckland, famous for its geothermal activity, Māori culture. While it can be a little stinky (thanks to that geothermal activity), the town features affordable property, beautiful lakes nearby and a booming tourism industry — plus great mountain biking.

Blenheim is the largest town in New Zealand’s world-famous Marlborough wine region. it's frequently sunny and surrounded by amazing restaurants and wineries. It has most of the conveniences of larger cities, with small town friendliness and charm — plus it’s surrounded by natural beauty, from rolling vineyards to snow-capped mountains. 

Just down the road from Napier you’ll find Havelock North, its slightly quieter, slightly more affordable neighbor. Life in Havelock North is a little more suburban than its busier neighbor, but you get the benefit of being just 25 minutes drive from Napier. 

Whangāre is New Zealand’s second most northern city after Kaitaia, which means it is frequently the warmest. Apart from great weather the area is also surrounded by stunning beaches, and it’s just a short two hour drive from Auckland.

It’s a small town so employment is limited, but housing is relatively cheap — especially compared with Auckland.