Glen Innes/Pt England: An exclusive extract

Glen Innes/Pt England 

The area has great ethnic diversity - lots of Maori, Pacific Islanders and Asians. There are many immigrants including Arabs and Albanians. Many Asian immigrants have moved to Glen Innes and Pt England, attracted by lower rents and house prices. Being home to the Tamaki campus of the University of Auckland, it is popular with students, especially on the hill at the St Johns Rd end of the suburb. Which, in turn, makes it popular with investors as there is never a shortage of tenants. 

With the prevalence of state housing, it's an area of blue collar workers. Residents have lots of pride in the area and there's a strong community spirit. They love their beer and their sports. Young couples and professionals have come into the area, buying up ex-state houses and restoring them. Many of these first-time home buyers will move closer to the sea in subsequent moves. 

Archetypal houses are current and former state houses and bungalows of 1940s vintage onwards, including typical 1950s two-storey duplexes. Some ex-state houses have been nicely renovated. Wai o Taiki Bay is a pleasant mix of new houses constructed by developers, and state homes. Recent state housing developments have progressed in Maybury St and Rowena Cres. 

Since the late 1980s, some parts of Glen Innes, such as Ropata Ave, have seen a fair amount of infill housing, typically of the single-level variety. There are still many two-bedroom houses on large plots. The Talbot Park area is under redevelopment by Housing New Zealand. The plan is to provide better housing by refurbishing units and homes. 

Amenities There are at least three primary schools, one intermediate and a secondary school in the area. They are within walking distance of most parts of the suburb. The secondary school, Tamaki College, has a reasonably small roll and is popular. 

Known mostly for its food shopping, Glen Innes is packed with butchers, fruit and vegetable shops and has a popular supermarket. 

The area has a great sporting complex with a pool, and it is bordered by the Merton Rd sports grounds, which cater for rugby, cricket, soccer, tennis and soon new netball courts. The estuary has a walking track from Mt Wellington along the coastline to Glendowie which passes a native bird sanctuary. 

Trends It is hard to find houses for sale in Glen Innes because they are well priced and are snapped up by first home buyers and investors. 

Also, much of the housing stock remains in state ownership. Houses on the hill overlooking the estuary have spectacular views across to Bucklands Beach and Pakuranga. These houses, mainly in the area called Wai o Taiki Bay, command higher prices. On the flat in the heart of Glen Innes, the houses are a little cheaper. 

Rental and investment: The area's rental market is strong, with generally greater demand than supply. 

Best streets In Glen Innes, the top end off West Tamaki Rd, Weybridge Cres and Paddington St. In Pt England, Dunkirk Rd, and Riki Rd. In Wai o Taiki Bay, Silverton Ave and Inglewood St.