Kiwis looking to buy a property in zone for the country’s top state schools can expect to pay a premium of more than 89 percent according to data from realestate.co.nz. Top of the list was Auckland’s Epsom Girls’ Grammar, where in-zone homes commanded an average asking price of $2.45m, compared to out-of-zone properties which fetched an average asking price of $1.29m. Auckland Grammar zone followed.
Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says properties in school zones have always been desirable, but this data shows the value buyers place on securing ‘the right address’.
“This data shows just how valuable a school zone address can be. Take Auckland Grammar for example where buyers can be in zone on one side of a street but not the other.
“For many Kiwis, securing the right education pathway is a top priority, and that demand is clearly reflected in property prices. These homes not only attract strong buyer interest but also tend to hold their value over time,” she says.
The data, based on more than 100,000 properties listed for sale between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2025, compared the average asking price of properties in and out of school zones for leading public secondary schools in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch.
In Christchurch, properties in zone for both Christchurch Girls’ High School and Christchurch Boys’ High School commanded significantly higher average asking prices than nearby properties that are not in zone.
- Properties in zone for Christchurch Girls ‘High School averaged $1,181,760, compared to $647,886 for properties out of zone, a difference of 82.4 percent.
- Properties in zone for Christchurch Boys’ High School also averaged $1,181,760, compared to $694,408 for properties out of zone, a difference of 70.9 percent.
Williams says in Christchurch, these figures show that school zones aren’t just a preference, they are a powerful driver of property value.
“Buyers are clearly willing to pay a significant premium to be in zone for Christchurch’s sought-after schools, reflecting both the reputation of these schools and the long-term appeal of the surrounding neighbourhoods,” she says.
In Hamilton, Hillcrest High School showed a similar trend, with a more than 50 percent difference in average asking price between in zone and out of zone properties. Homes in zone averaged $1,176, 556 compared to $755,102 for those out of zone. Meanwhile, minimal difference was recorded for homes in and out of zone for Hamilton Girls’ and Hamilton Boys’ High Schools.
In the capital, Onslow College had the greatest difference in average asking prices between in zone and out of zone properties. A home in zone for the College fetched an average asking price of $997,348, more than 20 percent higher than a home out of zone, $812,560.
But not all schools followed the trend. Wellington College and Newlands College both recorded slightly lower average asking prices for in zone homes:
- Wellington College in zone average asking price $935,645 compared to out of zone average asking price of $946,911.
- Newlands College in zone average asking price $916,448 compared to out of zone average asking price of $938,035.
Williams says while school zones often drive higher property values, these results show it’s not a one-size-fits-all story.
“These prices show that in some areas the in-zone premium is substantial, while in others, it’s minimal or even reversed. It highlights how important it is for buyers and sellers to understand the dynamics of their local market, not just the postcode, but the school zone too.”
For buyers wanting to find a property within a desired school zone, realestate.co.nz provides a search by school zone link.
Note: The average asking price is calculated by taking the asking price for every residential property that has been listed within 5km radius of each school within the two-year period between October 2023 and September 2025 and dividing by the total number of listings.
