Rongotai
More affordable character housing alongside the airport
Overview
Located on the western edge of the Wellington International Airport runway, Rongotai provides a cheaper alternative to nearby Lyall Bay and Kilbirnie. Homes here still have bags of character, but buyers should be wary of overcapitalising, due to the airport’s proximity. Buyers will look elsewhere above a certain price point. The airport company is actively pursuing expansion plans in Rongotai. This includes purchasing homes close to the runway. Any investment here should be investigated with eyes wide open.
Best Suited To
Character home lovers on a budget. Plane spotters.
Population Profile
Situated alongside the airport and thus affected by intermittent, very loud aircraft noise, Rongotai housing appeals to those who like character homes (mostly bungalows), but don’t quite have the budget to stretch to Lyall Bay or Miramar. Investors have been active in the area, picking up homes at affordable levels. They find a ready supply of tenants who work at the airport, or nearby Kilbirnie.
The area is popular with first home buyers due to the relative affordability. However, once they have established equity, they tend to move to a more desirable locality, away from the airport influence. The area has an industrial and bulk retail park on its seaward side. This no doubt provides additional employment opportunities for those who settle here.
Typical Homes
Timber bungalows abound, as the bulk of residential building here occurred in the period 1920 to 1940. There has been little in the way of new residential development. Industrial development occurred from the 1940s, to the northern and southern tips of the suburb. This has had the effect of ‘sandwiching’ the residential housing, further exacerbating the less-than-friendly-neighbours effect, generated by the airport.
At the time of writing it is difficult to assess how the airport’s further expansion will affect Rongotai in the future, although it is fair to say that the area will remain less desirable than other localities, due to the levels of noise and air pollution.
Amenities
Rongotai shopping is now dominated by big-box retailers that have taken over the southern end of the suburb. Here you will find all those large chain stores familiar in New Zealand including The Warehouse, Kathmandu, Bed Bath and Beyond and others. The shopping area is very busy on weekends, especially on a fine day when people will drive here to shop, enjoy coffee, and take a walk along nearby Lyall Bay beach.
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There are no primary schools within Rongotai, with most children attending nearby Lyall Bay School. Rongotai College is a boys’ only secondary school, catering for many who live within the eastern suburbs. St Catherine’s is a girls-only Catholic high school, situated nearby in Kilbirnie.
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Plane spotting! Yes, you won’t find a better place. Otherwise you’re best to head down to the beach at Lyall Bay, where you’ll find great swimming, a children’s playground and the very popular Maranui Café.
Real Estate Trends
Typical Rongotai bungalows will almost always sell for a discount in comparison to their Lyall Bay counterparts. Recent sales statistics show a trend for three or four bedroom homes to sell in the $800,000 to $1.2 million range. You’ll likely get something with plenty of character for this.
It’s uncertain exactly how far the airport will eventually expand, and this uncertainty places a cap on values here. You won’t want to overcapitalise by spending a lot of money on large extensions, as property values hit a wall at about $1.2 million. Anyone looking to spend more than this, should really choose a location further from the airport influence.
Best Streets
Lonsdale Crescent is the furthest street from the runway. It also enjoys a sunny westerly aspect.
House Prices
Basic three bedroom bungalow, needs upgrading, from $800,000.
Well-presented bungalow, three bedrooms, partly upgraded, from $950,000.
Larger, family home, upgraded and with generous site, from $1 million.
Travel Times
Central city – driving, 10 minutes non-peak, up to 20 minutes peak.
Airport – driving, five minutes non-peak.
Hutt Valley – driving 20 minutes non-peak
Weather
The western side of the Rongotai hill gets great sunlight but can be exposed to winds from the north. Houses lower down can be shaded if there is higher land on the northern or western sides.