What makes East Auckland different
Indicators where East Auckland deviates from the Auckland Region average (2023 Census)
| Indicator | East | Auckland avg | Gap | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home ownership rate | 66.0% | 59.2% | +6.8 pts | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
| Median household income | NZ$125,700 | NZ$116,818 | +7.6% | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.3 | +1.8 yrs | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
East Auckland's home ownership rate is above the regional average, its median household income sits above it, and its residents are older than the Auckland average. Its intermediate and secondary schools carry a roll-weighted Equity Index of about 414 (the Auckland figure is 438; a lower index means fewer socioeconomic barriers).
Key statistics
Aggregated across one local board area
| Indicator | East Auckland | Auckland Region | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2023 Census, usually resident) | 153,570 | 1,656,480 | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
| Estimated population (June 2025) | 173,200 | 1,816,110 | Stats NZ · Population estimates |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.3 | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
| Median household income | NZ$125,700 | NZ$116,818 | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
| Home ownership rate | 66.0% | 59.2% | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
| Median weekly rent (new bonds, all dwellings) | NZ$718 | NZ$637 | MBIE Tenancy · 2026 Q1 |
| Residents aged under 15 | 19.0% | 19.2% | Stats NZ · 2023 Census |
| Schools (intermediate & secondary) | 15 | 136 | Education Counts · 2026 |
| Parks & reserves / playgrounds | 274 / 67 | 3,271 / 823 | Auckland Council · 2026 |
Population trend
| Year | 2013 | 2018 | 2023 | 2025 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,125 | 140,970 | 153,570 | 173,200 |
East Auckland consists of the single Howick local board area. Its population grew 20.8% between 2013 and 2023 (from 127,125 to 153,570).
Local board breakdown
| Local board area | Population | Median hh income | Median rent/wk (census) | Under 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howick | 153,570 | NZ$125,700 | NZ$620 | 19.0% |
Who is East Auckland for?
The same data, read through four lenses
Families
East Auckland has 15 intermediate and secondary schools and 67 public playgrounds; 19.0% of residents are under 15, against the regional 19.2% (Education Counts 2026; Auckland Council 2026; Stats NZ 2023 Census).
New residents
In the 2023 Census East Auckland had a median household income of NZ$125,700 and home ownership of 66.0% (Stats NZ). 55.5% of residents were born overseas, against 42.5% region-wide (Stats NZ 2023 Census).
Renters
In the January–March 2026 bond data, East Auckland's median weekly rent for newly lodged tenancies was about NZ$707 for a 1-bedroom, NZ$585 for a 2-bedroom and NZ$699 for a 3-bedroom home (MBIE Tenancy Services). The zone's overall bond median of NZ$718 equals 29.7% of its median household income (Stats NZ 2023 Census; calculated by this site).
Students
The zone's median 1-bedroom rent was about NZ$707/week and 2-bedroom NZ$585/week in the 2026 Q1 bond data (MBIE Tenancy Services). At the 2023 Census, 4.6% of employed residents travelled to work mainly by public transport (Stats NZ); the Auckland Transport stop data records 2 ferry terminals; there are no train stations in the zone (see Transport below).
Schools
Education Counts School Directory, 2026 · intermediate & secondary schools
East Auckland has 15 intermediate and secondary schools with a combined roll of about 20,900. Their roll-weighted Equity Index is about 414 — lower means fewer socioeconomic barriers, and the Auckland figure is 438. The largest secondary schools by roll are Macleans College (3,078), Saint Kentigern College (2,347) and Pakuranga College (2,273).
Housing & renting
MBIE Tenancy Services rental bond data · January–March 2026 quarter (new tenancies) · CC BY 3.0 NZ
| Dwelling type | Median rent/wk (new bonds) | Auckland avg |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom | NZ$585 | NZ$601 |
| 3-bedroom | NZ$699 | NZ$708 |
| 4-bedroom | NZ$848 | NZ$886 |
Transport
Stats NZ 2023 Census — main means of travel to work
At the 2023 Census, 4.6% of East Auckland's employed residents travelled to work mainly by public transport — bus, train or ferry — against 7.8% region-wide (Stats NZ).
Safety
NZ Police victimisation data (policedata.nz), 12 months to May 2026 (June 2025 – May 2026)
| Victimisations per 1,000 residents | East Auckland | Auckland Region |
|---|---|---|
| Theft | 19.5 | 26.1 |
| Burglary | 6.0 | 8.3 |
| Assault | 9.6 | 9.5 |
| All recorded offences | 36.5 | 45.3 |
Parks, reserves & playgrounds
Auckland Council Park Extents & Park Asset Location, 2026 · CC BY 4.0
East Auckland has 274 council parks and reserves covering about 868 ha, and 67 public playgrounds (Auckland Council, 2026).
Frequently asked questions
What makes East Auckland different from the rest of Auckland?
Against the Auckland Region average: home ownership of 66.0% vs 59.2%, median household income of NZ$125,700 vs NZ$116,818, and a median age of 38.1 vs 36.3. Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census.
Is East Auckland a good area for families?
East Auckland has 15 intermediate and secondary schools (Education Counts 2026) and 67 public playgrounds (Auckland Council 2026), and 19.0% of its residents are under 15, against 19.2% region-wide (Stats NZ 2023 Census).
How much does it cost to rent in East Auckland?
Based on MBIE Tenancy Services rental bond data for the January–March 2026 quarter (newly lodged tenancies), the median weekly rent across East Auckland's single local board was about NZ$718 — by bedroom count, roughly NZ$585 for 2-bedroom, NZ$699 for 3-bedroom and NZ$848 for 4-bedroom homes. That overall figure equals about 29.7% of the zone's median household income (Stats NZ 2023 Census).
Is East Auckland growing?
East Auckland consists of the single Howick local board; its population grew from 127,125 at the 2013 Census to 153,570 in 2023, a 20.8% increase (Stats NZ).
Need a personalised comparison?
Auckland Living Intelligence prepares personalised Auckland location reports from the same official data used on this page. Choose your goal and up to three priorities, and receive a PDF report comparing East Auckland with other areas against them — NZ$39.99 including GST (Research Beta). How the report service works →