Kaiwharawhara
Townhouse style living on the edge of Wellington City
Overview
Kaiwharawhara is located just north of Wellington City. Traditionally known as a warehousing hub, development of hillside land in the late 1990s, creating a number of new residential sections. These sections now appear to be fully developed by way of high cost detached housing and some semi-detached townhouses. They all enjoy a panoramic view over the harbour and city. The area has easy access onto Hutt Road and a trip into Wellington City, outside of rush-hours, can be completed in less than 10 minutes.
Best Suited To
Retirees wanting to be independent and close to the city, but with a dislike for apartment living.
Population Profile
Kaiwharawhara residents are typically over 40, university educated, well paid and in managerial roles, often with grown up children, or they might be retired. Census data shows one of the highest education levels in Wellington; 95% having a formal qualification. Europeans make up a large part of the population, although there is a significant (22%) Asian presence. The median income here is a staggering $73,000. That’s almost double the Wellington average of $38,000. All this information supports the conclusion that locals are generally older folk who have done well in their working lives, empty nesters, or those with adult children.
Typical Homes
Kaiwharawhara has been around for a long time. However, the suburb only gained a significant residential aspect after 2000. Known as an area dominated by light industrial services and warehousing, vacant land on the northern hill overlooking Wellington Harbour was developed into sections and these have subsequently been developed into high cost housing.
The hillside has a fabulous view over Wellington Harbour and the central city. A typical home here is under 20 years old, two or three levels, constructed to a quality standard with picture windows to take in the wonderful views. Gardens are almost always compact but highly landscaped affairs.
Amenities
Ngaio Gorge Road is a base for a number of small industrial and warehouse operations. There are a few cafes in the area but these mostly service people working in the area and are often closed after 5pm. The area is only a few minutes from the Wellington Central Business District, for a full range of services, including New World supermarket in nearby Thorndon.
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There are no schools in Kaiwharawhara. The nearest primary schools are in Khandallah and Ngaio. Secondary schools are located in the central city.
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Kaiwharawhara Park is a good sized and mostly level playing field to the northern tip of Kaiwharawhara. Access to the park is from Hutt Road. Trelissick Park has its southern entrance off Ngaio Gorge Road. This is a popular park with bush tracks leading up Ngaio Gorge.
Real Estate Trends
A small suburb, there have been just three sales registered here in the last 12 months. These sales sit in the $800,000 to $2.75 million range.
Best Streets
There are only a few residential streets in Kaiwharawhara, so choose wherever you can get the most land, with the best view of the city
House Prices
Homes from $1 million.
Travel Times
Central city – driving, five minutes non-peak, up to 15 minutes peak.
Airport – driving, 20 minutes non-peak.
Hutt Valley – driving, 10 minutes non-peak.
Weather
Kaiwharawhara is particularly sheltered from prevailing northerlies, as land behind and to the north rises steeply onto bush clad hillside. Homes against the hillside may suffer from shading, particularly in winter. A blast from a southerly storm (this happens three or four times a year) will be felt as the suburb is exposed to this direction.