Mt Roskill

Including Hillsborough and Waikowhai 

Mt Roskill and Hillsborough have sizeable immigrant populations from India, Korea, China and the Middle East. 

Families love the rambling houses on big sections and are attracted to Mt Roskill Grammar's good reputation. Professional couples love the fact that you can commute just about anywhere. 

Most houses in the area have been built with family living in mind. And the cross proudly displayed on top of Mt Roskill at Christmas and Easter says it all - this is Bible country. 

The solidly suburban streets of Hillsborough have some real estate gems hugging the Manukau Harbour in leafy sections with great sea views. 

Nearby Waikowhai, which also prides itself on harbour views, has pretty much lost its separate identity and quietly merged with Hillsborough. 

There's a mix of weatherboard and brick-and-tile bungalows - salt of the earth suburban homes. Solid ex-state houses are also common. There are also newer townhouses and infill housing, as the sections are sliced up. 

Amenities Mt Roskill primary, intermediate and grammar school share the same rambling grounds - an unusual configuration but a big plus for siblings walking younger kids to school. Lynfield College, the other local secondary school is also well-regarded. 

Three Kings Plaza has shops, a supermarket and a library. Only minutes away there's Royal Oak, Mt Eden, Mt Roskill shops on Dominion Road, the Lynfield and Blockhouse Bay shopping centres, and Westfield St Lukes. 

Parks and reserves are plentiful, with approximately 12ha of land dedicated to green belts and sports grounds, including Keith Hay Park, the War Memorial Park and Winstone Park. The area is a walker's paradise, and a golfer's dream with three local courses. 

For fitness enthusiasts there's the Lynfield Recreation Centre (YMCA) and Cameron Pool (Roskill Aquasport). Local sports clubs include the New Zealand Hockey Federation and the Eden Roskill District Cricket Club.

Trends Trends here tend to follow school zones, so when homes formerly in the Mt Roskill school zone suddenly became part of Lynfield College zone, prices dropped. Properties are always in demand, however, as the area is favoured by families. There has also been increased demand from renters who now want to buy. 

Although the proposed motorway extension has negatively affected some properties close to the route, many people believe that it will be a blessing. 

Rental and investment With rental demand slowing and interest rates continuing to climb, rental properties are becoming harder to fill. 

Best streets In Hillsborough, streets near the sea. In Mt Roskill, Stamford Park Road and Oakdale Road.