New Zealand’s favourite suburbs revealed

There are allegedly more cows in a 10km radius of Morrinsville than anywhere else in the world.

That’s not even counting the life-size cow sculptures dotted throughout the town, a nod to the area’s dairying prowess, or the 6.5m tall Mega Cow statue welcoming visitors at the southern entrance of the town.

Morrinsville’s town slogan? Cream of the Country.

With a population of just under 10,000, Morrinsville (Mōrena) is set to grow by 1,500 once the 150-hectare Lockerbie Estate development is complete.

The bonus of living here is, everything in the township is within walking distance. And other towns just 20-30 minutes' drive away include Hamilton, Cambridge, Matamata, and Te Aroha.

With beautiful old architecture, walks along the Piako River or a round of golf at the impressive 18-hole golf course with mature trees and a lake on the edge of town, this town has everything going for it.

The average house price as of December 2024 is $810,350. A great community vibe, easy parking, and friendly people.

Southshore (Te Kōrero Karoro) is a 2.5km narrow sandspit nestled between the estuary and the ocean. The beach here is vast, wild, and dog-friendly, and once, after a high tide, the shore turned bright pink from millions of whale krill washed ashore.

A real highlight for bird fanciers is, every year, godwits make the long flight from Alaska to this coastal paradise, and seals and penguins frequently visit the area.

Neighbouring popular Brighton, Southshore offers a small, community-focused vibe within the heart of a larger city. It’s said that new residents are greeted with a goodie bag on arrival, and it’s not uncommon for neighbours to leave fresh produce on each other’s doorsteps.

Home to just over 1,000 people, events like the Southshore community picnic, Halloween celebrations, Matariki, and a proactive Residents Association all contribute to a strong local spirit.

Damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Southshore lost 198 properties to the red zone, forever changing the suburb’s landscape. Yet, the community’s resilience has been remarkable, and the shared adversity has only strengthened their bonds.

Papamoa (Te Rae o Pāpāmoa) is New Zealand’s Gold Coast, with long white sandy beach and a wealthy and sorted community. With a population of 37,800, it’s Tauranga’s largest and fastest-growing suburb. The average house price as of December 2024 is $968,800.

The area is home to shopping hubs like Pāpāmoa Plaza and Coast Pāpāmoa, but soon, it will also see the arrival of The Sands—a $1 billion town centre currently under development in Pāpāmoa East. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the precinct already has a New World supermarket up and running and retail outlets, a health hub, government services, community facilities, and aquatic centre in the pipeline.

Schools and community activities bring people here together and it’s an easy 20- 30 minute commute to Tauranga central for work.

The stunning beach stretches from the Kaituna River in the east to Mount Maunganui in the west. It’s a haven for dog walkers, with an off-leash area extending from south of Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) to Papamoa East, available year-round.

Inland, you’ll find Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park, with panoramic views of the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, and as far as Mount Maunganui. A network of walking tracks, including a climb to a historic Māori pā site at the summit, attracts plenty of day trippers and serious hikers.

The summers are warm and winters mild and great surf --mellow waves for beginners as well as bigger swells for experienced surfers.

With a small-scale urban vibe, vibrant coffee culture, abundant amenities, and natural beauty, Pāpāmoa truly offers the best of both worlds.