NEWTOWN.
Wellington's most diverse inner-city suburb — home to the region's biggest hospital and its zoo, a buzzing multicultural strip along Riddiford Street, and some of the city's most affordable character housing.
$872,500
AVERAGE HOUSE VALUE
30 days
MEDIAN TIME TO SELL
$675/wk
9,620
MEDIAN RENT
POPULATION (2025)
LIVING IN NEWTOWN.
Newtown sits just south of the CBD, between Mount Cook, Vogeltown and Berhampore. It was largely farmland until the 1870s, then grew rapidly once Wellington Hospital relocated here from Thorndon in 1878 — today it's the largest hospital in the lower North Island. A library opened in 1902 and, in 1906, Wellington Zoo was built at Newtown Park, becoming New Zealand's first zoo.
Newtown is Wellington's most ethnically and culturally diverse suburb. Māori and Pacific families settled here in large numbers from the 1940s onward, followed by a growing Somali community from the 1990s, and the suburb's Riddiford Street strip today reflects that mix with its markets, restaurants and independent shops. Wellington City Council recognises Newtown as an area with an "identifiable or distinct character."
Distance to CBD
Approx. 10 minutes
Distance to Airport
Approx. 15 minutes
Property era
Mostly 1900–1909
Landmarks
Wellington Hospital, Wellington Zoo
AT A GLANCE.
WHY I LIKE NEWTOWN.
Newtown has a genuine energy that’s hard to replicate. It’s a suburb full of character rather than perfection. Every visit feels different — whether you’re grabbing a coffee, discovering somewhere new to eat, or wandering through the village. Being so close to the city, hospital, airport and south coast makes it incredibly practical, but it’s the people and sense of community that really make Newtown special.
NEARBY SCHOOLS.
Primary Newtown School — co-educational state primary school in the heart of the suburb.
Intermediate South Wellington Intermediate — serves Newtown, Berhampore, Island Bay and surrounding suburbs.
Secondary Wellington High School — co-educational state secondary, decile 9Q, based in the CBD close to Newtown, with an enrolment of around 1,650 students.
Early Years Multiple kindergartens and playcentres operate in and around Newtown, reflecting the suburb's young, diverse population.
TRANSPORT AND RECREATION.
Getting Around
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Frequent Metlink bus services along Riddiford Street and John Street into the CBD (around 10 minutes)
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Close to the Mount Victoria and Hataitai tunnels for access to the eastern suburbs
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Walkable to the Basin Reserve, Mount Cook and the CBD
Parks & Recreation
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Wellington Zoo, New Zealand's first zoo, opened 1906
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Newtown Park — athletics track, sports fields and home ground for Wellington football and rugby league clubs
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Truby King Park, on the site of the historic Melrose homestead
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NEWTOWN.
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One of Wellington’s most diverse and welcoming communities.
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An incredible selection of cafés, restaurants and international cuisine.
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Excellent public transport and cycle connections.
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Home to Wellington Zoo and Newtown Park.
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Independent boutiques, vintage stores and creative local businesses.
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Strong arts, music and cultural scene.
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Bustling weekend Newtown Market.
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Character villas, cottages and apartments full of personality.
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Close to the South Coast beaches and Mount Victoria walking tracks.
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Hosts the iconic Newtown Festival, one of New Zealand’s largest free community festivals
Community
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Riddiford Street shopping strip — one of Wellington's most diverse retail and dining precincts
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Wellington Regional Hospital, the largest hospital in the lower North Island
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Wellington's most multicultural suburb, with strong Māori, Pacific and Somali communities
A DAY IN NEWTOWN.
7:00am – The suburb slowly wakes as commuters stop for their first coffee. Hospital staff finish night shifts while early risers walk through Newtown Park or head towards the city. The smell of fresh coffee drifts from local cafés as the village begins to buzz.
8:00am – School children arrive, buses head towards the CBD, and Riddiford Street is alive with cyclists, shoppers and locals collecting breakfast. Cafés are full of regulars catching up before work, creating the friendly atmosphere Newtown is known for.
Midday – Newtown is at its liveliest. Office workers, hospital staff, students and locals spill into cafés and eateries serving cuisine from around the world. The streets feel colourful, multicultural and unmistakably Wellington, with independent shops and community spaces humming with activity.
5:30pm – After work, locals meet friends for dinner, browse the specialty food stores, or enjoy an evening walk through the neighbourhood. Restaurants begin to fill, creating a vibrant village atmosphere that’s relaxed rather than rushed.
Weekend – Weekends are what Newtown does best. Start with brunch at a neighbourhood café before wandering the famous Newtown Market, exploring quirky shops, visiting Wellington Zoo, or catching up with friends over lunch. During festival season the suburb transforms into one of Wellington’s biggest celebrations of food, music and culture, but even on an ordinary weekend there’s always something happening.
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