HATAITAI.
An inner-city harbourside suburb on the eastern flank of Mount Victoria — heritage village shops, tunnel links to the CBD, and one of Wellington's most consistent property markets.
$1,066,400
AVERAGE HOUSE SALES
36 days
MEDIAN TIME TO SELL
$590/wk
6,465
MEDIAN RENT
POPULATION (2023)
LIVING IN HATAITAI.
Hataitai sits 3.5km southeast of Wellington's CBD, running from the eastern flank of Mount Victoria down to Evans Bay. Most of the suburb's housing was built between 1920 and 1929, and its heritage village centre — at the Moxham Avenue and Waitoa Road intersection — has been Wellington City Council-listed since 2011, with timber shopfronts dating largely from the 1910s and 1920s still lining the street.
The suburb is well known for its two road tunnels: the Hataitai Tunnel, originally built in 1907 for trams and now used for bus services, and the 623-metre Mount Victoria Tunnel, opened in 1931, both of which give quick access into central Wellington. Hataitai is also close to Wellington Airport on the Rongotai isthmus to the south.
According to the 2023 Census, Hataitai has a population of 6,465 across 2,502 dwellings, with a median age of 32.8 years — noticeably younger than the national median of 38.1. Median personal income sits at $61,100, well above the national median of $41,500, and 55.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Distance to CBD
Approx. 5 minutes
Distance to Airport
Approx. 10 minutes
Property types
Villas, Bungalows, Character Homes, Townhouses, Apartments
Lifestyle
Village living with CBD convienience
AT A GLANCE.
WHY I LIKE HATAITAI.
I’ve spent years getting to know Hataitai—not just as a real estate professional, but as part of the community. It’s one of those suburbs where people genuinely know their neighbours, cafés know your coffee order, and the village still feels like the heart of the neighbourhood. Whether you’re walking through the Town Belt, grabbing a coffee before work or enjoying the convenience of being just minutes from the city, Hataitai has a lifestyle that’s increasingly hard to find
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I’ve always enjoyed selling property in Hataitai because every street has its own character. Buyers consistently comment on the village atmosphere and the convenience of being just minutes from the city while still feeling part of a close-knit neighbourhood.
NEARBY SCHOOLS.
Full Primary Hataitai School — co-educational state full primary, Years 1–8, roll of 219 (Oct 2025). Opened in 1921 as Roseneath Side School; located on Arawa Road.
Primary Kilbirnie School — co-educational state primary, Years 1–6, roll of 204. Opened 1884.
Intermediate Evans Bay Intermediate School — nearest intermediate, located in Kilbirnie.
Secondary Rongotai College — state single-sex boys' secondary school, Rongotai.
Secondary Wellington East Girls' College — state single-sex girls' secondary school, Mount Victoria.
Secondary St Patrick's College, Kilbirnie — state-integrated Catholic secondary school for boys.
Secondary St Catherine's College — state-integrated Catholic secondary school for girls, Kilbirnie.
Early Years A local playcentre and two kindergartens (part of the Whanau Manaaki network) also operate in and around Hataitai.
TRANSPORT AND RECREATION.
Getting Around
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Hataitai Tunnel — bus-only tunnel (originally built for trams in 1907) linking to central Wellington via Mount Victoria
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Mount Victoria Tunnel — 623m road tunnel, opened 1931, connecting to the CBD
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Regular Metlink bus services run through both tunnels into the city
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Close to Wellington Airport on the Rongotai isthmus, just south of Evans Bay
Parks & Recreation
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Hataitai Park — velodrome, tennis courts and rugby fields on the edge of the Town Belt
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Treasure Island / Kainui Reserve — walking and dog-exercise tracks linking Evans Bay and Hataitai with harbour views
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Alexandra Road play area — 180-degree harbour views, short walk to the Mount Victoria summit
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Treasure Grove and Waipapa Road play areas
Community
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Hataitai Village — WCC heritage-listed shopping area at Moxham Avenue / Waitoa Road, mostly 1910s–1920s buildings
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Hataitai Community House, 112 Waipapa Road — playgroups and community space
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Badminton hall, medical centre
WHY PEOPLE LOVE HATAITAI.
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Village atmosphere
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Friendly community
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Walkable lifestyle
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Character homes
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Mature trees
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Local cafés
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Excellent bus services
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Quick CBD access
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Airport convenience
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Town Belt
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Evans Bay
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Mt Victoria walks
A DAY IN HATAITAI.
7:00am – Dog walkers heading through the Town Belt as the city wakes up.
8:00am – Coffee from the village before an easy commute through the bus tunnel or Mount Victoria Tunnel.
Midday – A quick lunch at a local café or a stroll around the village.
5:30pm – Home in minutes from the CBD, with an evening walk around Evans Bay or up Mount Victoria.
Weekend – Community events, local sport, brunch, beer or wine at the local bars, and time spent enjoying one of Wellington’s most connected neighbourhoods.
