New Zealand Has It's First $2 Million Suburb

New Zealand has its first $2 million suburb.

The average home in Auckland's Herne Bay is now worth $2,003,300 according to CoreLogic data released exclusively to NZ Herald.

The prime central city post code was the nation's first to reach the $1million mark in 2003 but has now set a new benchmark as Auckland's overheated housing market continues to surge. It is the first suburb nationwide to hit $2 million.

Across Auckland, 52 of the city's 157 suburbs are now in the million-dollar club - up from 47 last month and 37 in March.

Only two suburbs outside Auckland are worth more than $1 million, both in Christchurch. They are Scarborough ($1.09 million) and Kennedys Bush ($1.06 million). Wellington's closest is Seatoun at $971,000 while Queenstown's highest is Jacks Point at $899,000.

CoreLogic senior research analyst Nick Goodall said St Marys Bay was Auckland second-most expensive suburb at $1.83 million, followed by Remuera ($1.66 million), Stanley Point ($1.55 million) and Epsom ($1.52 million). Prime Minister John Key's home suburb Parnell has fallen out of the top five at just over $1.3 million.

The city's surging prices reflected a continuation of strong demand and a shortage of housing supply, Mr Goodall said.

"You can't get away from the fact that it's high migration, high confidence, low supply and low interest rates - all these things that make it beneficial to purchase property.

"I think for the foreseeable future the factors that are pushing the increases in Auckland aren't going to stop anytime soon."

Despite the dizzying cost of Herne Bay properties, Mr Goodall said the suburb had to be put in an international context. In Sydney it was not uncommon for inner city suburbs to be worth between $2 million and $5million for an average home.

"Two million for a seaside suburb near the centre of the Auckland - that's pretty appealing when you compare it to similar things in Australia. It does show Auckland is becoming more recognised as an international city and that high end is certainly getting driven up by local as well as international purchasers."

Herne Bay is one of the city's oldest suburbs and home to Cremorne St - the country's most exclusive housing enclave where the average home will set you back north of $6 million.

The suburb is dotted with immaculately renovated weatherboard villas with stained glass windows and white picket fences.

It also boasts a collection of high-end boutique designer stores and trendy eateries frequented by a wealthy who's who.

The streets are lined with Audis, Mercedes and four-wheel drives.

NZ HERALD

Image: Chris Loufte