Harbourside metropolis

How times have changed for Tauranga. Long perceived as a sleepy seaside settlement or even a retirement village, the city has evolved into a bustling metropolitan hub. It is now New Zealand’s fifth largest city and one of the fastest growing areas in the country.

Tauranga's population has soared by 10.8% over the last five years - reaching an estimated 135,000 this year. At the same time, the development of the Port of Tauranga has transformed the city, opening it up as a business centre and driving ongoing commercial investment in the area.

Tauranga has also benefitted from Auckland’s runaway housing market boom in 2015-2016. Many Aucklanders, and in particular young families, have relocated to the city in search of more affordable housing and the lifestyle attractions on offer.

One consequence has been that, like Auckland, Tauranga’s house prices skyrocketed. For investors, this means that affordable prices are no longer on the cards. Yet the city remains an attractive proposition for investors - thanks to its strong economic growth, quality tenant pool and tight rental market.