Living in Island Bay: rents, schools, census and property titles
The 3,044 live property titles in Island Bay, Wellington City are almost all freehold (84%), as recorded by LINZ on 30 September 2026. Cross-lease titles number 150 (4.9%), well below the national share of 8.7%.
- Cross-lease titles
- 150
- Share of live titles
- 4.9%
- Live titles in total
- 3,044
- Wellington City share
- 5.6%
- New Zealand share
- 8.7%
- Rank by share in Wellington City
- 24 of 32
- Rank by share in New Zealand
- 501 of 644
Island Bay at a glance
Where Island Bay differs most from suburbs across New Zealand: median slope under buildings (higher than 95% of NZ suburbs); homes with a heat pump (lower than 95% of NZ suburbs).
Higher or lower is not better or worse. Sources and limits
Start here
What the data tells you
Recorded facts
- Island Bay is listed under Wellington City.
- 3,044 live titles are recorded here, including 150 cross-lease titles (4.9%).
- The page includes 2023 Census context for the statistical area that represents this suburb.
- The page includes MBIE new-tenancy rent figures for April–June 2026.
Contextual observations
- Cross-lease titles make up 4.9% of the recorded title mix. That describes the suburb, not any particular home.
- Unit titles account for 8.5% of recorded titles, so title structure can vary within the suburb.
- Public-transport figures describe how recorded titles sit near mapped stops. They do not describe a service from a particular property.
- Coast distance is a suburb-level map measure, not a flood or hazard assessment.
Questions worth investigating
- For any cross-lease property you consider, do the current title, flats plan and lease match what is built today?
- What do the LIM, council property file and a suitable inspection add for the specific address?
No data held for this suburb
- The core title, Census, rent, transport and coast measures used by this page are available.
Title mix in Island Bay
| Title type | Live titles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Freehold | 2,566 | 84.3% |
| Cross lease | 150 | 4.9% |
| Unit title | 258 | 8.5% |
| Leasehold | 18 | 0.6% |
| Other record types | 52 | 1.7% |
| Total | 3,044 | 100% |
Counts are titles, not homes; the register can lag conversions, so check the certificate of title. Sources and limits
How Island Bay compares
Nationally, 8.7% of live titles are cross-lease; Island Bay is well below the national share (8.7%).
Across Wellington City as a whole, the share is 5.6%; Island Bay is slightly lower than the overall Wellington City share (5.6%).
How cross-leases in Island Bay are set up
Fewer leases include a garage (7% of schemes, against 28% nationally).
Separate exclusive-use areas are less common (2% of schemes, against 5% nationally).
Carports appear in fewer leases (6% of schemes, against 13% nationally).
| Scheme structure | Island Bay | Wellington City | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-lease schemes (shared sections) | 68 | 2,130 | 87,651 |
| Two-flat schemes | 83.8% | 82.4% | 76.2% |
| Three-flat schemes | 5.9% | 6.7% | 12.2% |
| Four or more flats | 10.3% | 10.4% | 11.4% |
| Typical section size (from the titles, not a survey) | 786 m² | 759 m² | 908 m² |
| Typical land per flat | 366 m² | 350 m² | 408 m² |
| Schemes with a garage written into a lease | 7.4% | 18.0% | 28.4% |
| Schemes with a carport in a lease | 5.9% | 8.1% | 13.3% |
| Schemes with a separate exclusive-use area | 1.5% | 4.3% | 4.5% |
| Schemes referring to more than one flats plan (usually redrawn; not by itself a problem) | 35.3% | 22.5% | 35.6% |
| Median year of earliest current title | 1992 | 1987 | 1988 |
| Two-flat schemes on 700 m² or more | 36 | 991 | 54,978 |
Unit titles and leasehold in Island Bay
Unit titles are 8% of Island Bay's titles, well below Wellington City (25%) and close to New Zealand (8%). They belong to 49 developments, each run by a body corporate; half have 3 units or fewer.
18 titles (0.6%) are leasehold.
Most stated terms have more than 50 years to run.
Stated lease terms, as at 30 September 2026:
| Stated lease term | Titles |
|---|---|
| Stated term has ended | 0 |
| Under 10 years left | 0 |
| 10 to 50 years left | 0 |
| More than 50 years left | 18 |
| Term mentions renewal (including perpetually renewable) | 0 |
| Term not stated or not readable | 0 |
New titles in Island Bay since 2020
288 of Island Bay's current titles (9%) were first issued since 2020, slightly above Wellington City's suburbs with new-title figures taken together (8%) and below New Zealand (12%).
That rate is 3rd highest of 31 in Wellington City.
18% are unit titles, in 8 developments; most of the rest are freehold.
| Title type | Since 2020 | Since 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Freehold | 225 | 80 |
| Unit title | 53 | 14 |
| Cross-lease | 2 | 1 |
| Leasehold | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 3 |
New titles include cross-leases converted to freehold and titles re-issued; they are not a count of new homes. Sources and limits
The lie of the land in Island Bay
The typical building in Island Bay stands on ground sloping 8.8° (read on an 8 m grid, so short steep banks may be understated).
About 27% of its 3,607 measured buildings stand on ground of 15° or more.
The land rises from about 0 m to 169 m, and 47% of all of it, including reserves and gullies, is 15° or steeper.
Slope is not a measure of ground stability. Sources and limits
Distance to the coast from Island Bay
14% of Island Bay's titles are within 200 m of the sea or harbour edge, 34% within 500 m and 69% within 1 km. The typical title is 700 m away.
Measured in a straight line from the centre of each title's land to the coastline on LINZ's 1:50k topographic map, which follows harbours and estuaries as well as the open coast; lakes and rivers are not included. Distance says nothing about beach access, views or exposure to coastal hazards; council hazard maps and the LIM describe those.
Who lives around Island Bay: 2023 Census
Island Bay's titles fall in 6 census areas (Stats NZ statistical areas). The 3 shown below hold 99% of its titles; their figures are shown side by side and are not added together.
Fewer households have no car in Island Bay East than across Wellington City: 6.8% against 15.2%.
Fewer workers walk or cycle to work in Island Bay East than across Wellington City: 13.0% against 19.8%.
Fewer residents were born overseas in Island Bay East than across Wellington City: 27.6% against 34.6%.
| Measure | Island Bay East 45% of titles | Island Bay West 41% of titles | Ōwhiro Bay 13% of titles | Wellington City whole council |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residents | 3,594 | 3,234 | 1,995 | 202,689 |
| Change since 2018 | +2.2% | −4.3% | −0.2% | −0.0% |
| Change since 2013 | +4.3% | +2.4% | +5.4% | +6.1% |
| Median age | 39.2 | 38.3 | 39.4 | 34.9 |
| Households | 1,320 | 1,185 | 702 | 77,004 |
| Own or part-own their home (including family trusts) | 70.7% | 68.6% | 71.8% | 58.6% |
| Not owned and not in a family trust (mostly renting) | 29.5% | 31.1% | 28.2% | 41.4% |
| Median household income | $151,100 | $151,600 | $140,800 | $134,500 |
| Median weekly rent, renting households | $603 | $600 | $585 | $560 |
| Dwellings unoccupied on census night | 7.1% | 5.6% | 8.5% | 7.8% |
| Ages | ||||
| Under 15 | 15.9% | 17.3% | 15.8% | 14.4% |
| 15 to 29 | 21.1% | 21.3% | 20.0% | 27.2% |
| 30 to 64 | 50.1% | 50.3% | 52.5% | 46.8% |
| 65 and over | 12.8% | 11.0% | 11.9% | 11.7% |
| Where people came from | ||||
| Born overseas | 27.6% | 29.3% | 29.5% | 34.6% |
| Of those born overseas, arrived in the last 5 years | 17.7% | 22.4% | 10.8% | 23.2% |
| Lived elsewhere in New Zealand 5 years ago (of all residents, including children born since) | 35.9% | 35.2% | 36.2% | 44.2% |
| Lived overseas 5 years ago (of all residents) | 5.3% | 5.4% | 3.8% | 5.4% |
| Moved here in the last year (of all residents) | 17.7% | 18.9% | 16.8% | 24.0% |
| Work and study (people 15 and over) | ||||
| Bachelor degree or higher | 50.6% | 51.1% | 41.9% | 48.6% |
| Employed full-time | 59.9% | 61.6% | 61.8% | 59.0% |
| Unemployed (share of everyone 15 and over, not the unemployment rate) | 2.6% | 2.5% | 2.7% | 3.0% |
| Managers and professionals (of those employed) | 64.2% | 64.6% | 58.9% | 59.5% |
| Median personal income | $60,800 | $61,900 | $57,100 | $55,500 |
| Getting to work (of those employed) | ||||
| Work from home | 19.3% | 20.3% | 18.8% | 18.7% |
| Car, truck or van | 44.2% | 44.3% | 53.4% | 39.0% |
| Bus, train or ferry | 20.3% | 20.0% | 14.5% | 20.0% |
| Walk or cycle | 13.0% | 11.9% | 9.9% | 19.8% |
| Households and families | ||||
| One-person households | 19.4% | 19.9% | 19.4% | 24.1% |
| Average people per household | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.6 |
| Households with no motor vehicle | 6.8% | 6.6% | 3.7% | 15.2% |
| Crowded households (need one or more extra bedrooms) | 3.5% | 3.6% | 4.0% | 5.0% |
| Couples with children (of families) | 45.7% | 47.4% | 47.5% | 43.0% |
| Couples without children | 41.4% | 38.5% | 40.8% | 44.8% |
| One-parent families | 13.0% | 14.1% | 12.3% | 12.2% |
| Homes | ||||
| Separate (stand-alone) houses | 70.4% | 76.3% | 79.6% | 59.7% |
| Average bedrooms | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2.8 |
| Heated with a heat pump | 49.4% | 56.8% | 58.3% | 53.6% |
| Damp, always or sometimes | 17.8% | 21.1% | 21.5% | 22.9% |
| Mould over A4 size, always or sometimes | 14.1% | 15.4% | 14.0% | 16.1% |
Rents around Island Bay
New tenancies in Island Bay East in the April–June 2026 quarter had a median rent of $723 a week (up 0.4% on a year earlier). That is slightly above the typical suburb in Wellington City ($625), and above the national median ($600); in the highest quarter of 27 in Wellington City.
| April–June 2026 | Island Bay East 45% of titles | Island Bay West 41% of titles | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median weekly rent, new tenancies | $723 | $578 | $600 |
| Middle half of rents | $550–$761 | $351–$643 | $490–$700 |
| Change in median on a year earlier | +0.4% | −22.9% | +0.2% |
| Bonds lodged in the quarter | 18 | 18 | 40,827 |
Schools and hospitals near Island Bay
LINZ maps 2 school sites inside Island Bay, among them Island Bay School (Contributing) and St Francis De Sales School (Island Bay) (Full Primary).
- Island Bay School (Contributing)
- St Francis De Sales School (Island Bay) (Full Primary)
- Nearest school: St Francis De Sales School (Island Bay) (0.2 km)
- Nearest secondary school: St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) (2.9 km)
- Nearest public general hospital: Wellington Hospital (3.3 km)
School enrolment zones in Island Bay: a guide
Four secondary schools have a home zone covering most of Island Bay's titles, among them Hutt International Boys School, St Oran's College and Wellington East Girls' College.
- Island Bay School (primary, Years 1–6): about 80% of titles
- Hutt International Boys School (secondary): all or nearly all titles
- St Oran's College (secondary): all or nearly all titles
- Wellington East Girls' College (secondary): all or nearly all titles
- Wellington High School & Com Ed Centre (secondary): all or nearly all titles
A guide only: check the school's own zone map for any address. Zones as at 14 July 2026. Sources and limits
Public transport in Island Bay
100% of Island Bay's titles are within 400 m of a stop with a scheduled weekday service, close to Wellington City as a whole (96%).
68% are that close to a frequent stop (60 or more departures that day), close to the council (69%).
The typical title is 153 m in a straight line from its nearest stop.
Timetable of Wednesday 30 September 2026, Metlink (Greater Wellington Regional Council). Sources and limits
Places of worship near Island Bay
OpenStreetMap maps 8 places of worship inside Island Bay (7 Christian, 1 Buddhist).
Nearest mapped place of each tradition within 10 km:
- Christian: Wellington South Baptist Church, under 1 km away
- Buddhist: Wat Buddhacheymahaneat Theravada Buddhist Monastery, under 1 km away
- Muslim: Wellington Islamic Centre, 2.7 km away
- Jewish: Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation, 5.2 km away
Listed as facilities for access; not an indicator of who lives here. Sources and limits
Other suburbs in Wellington City with many cross-leases
- Johnsonville: 616 cross-lease titles (13.1%)
- Karori: 469 cross-lease titles (7.9%)
- Tawa: 380 cross-lease titles (6.8%)
- Miramar: 335 cross-lease titles (8.8%)
- Newlands: 328 cross-lease titles (10.5%)
- Churton Park: 271 cross-lease titles (9.2%)
- Khandallah: 230 cross-lease titles (6.6%)
- Woodridge: 186 cross-lease titles (25.4%)
All suburbs in Wellington City
Suburbs like Island Bay
The closest match on the measures on this site is Khandallah in Wellington City, nearest on distance to the coast, damp homes, rent. Closeness is arithmetic, not a rating. Sources and limits
| Suburb | Council | Cross-lease share of titles | Median weekly rent, new tenancies | Median age | Closest on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khandallah | Wellington City | 6.6% | $735 | 41.6 | distance to the coast, damp homes, rent |
| Karori | Wellington City | 7.9% | No data | 38.8 | land per flat, older residents, median age |
| Strathmore Park | Wellington City | 5.4% | No data | 37.9 | schools, distance to the coast, near a stop |
| Ngaio | Wellington City | 7.0% | $625 | 41.9 | damp homes, distance to the coast, population change |
| Southgate | Wellington City | 9.7% | No data | 43.2 | near a stop, distance to the coast, distance to a hospital |
Questions
What is the rent in Island Bay?
New tenancies in Island Bay East (the rent area for part of Island Bay) had a median rent of $723 a week in the April–June 2026 quarter (MBIE bond data, all dwelling types). These are rents agreed for new tenancies, not asking rents. The middle half of those rents ran from $550 to $761.
What schools are in Island Bay?
LINZ maps 2 school sites inside Island Bay: Island Bay School and St Francis De Sales School (Island Bay). The nearest secondary school to its centre is St Catherines College (Kilbirnie) (2.9 km in a straight line). Secondary-school home zones covering most of its titles include Hutt International Boys School, St Oran's College and Wellington East Girls' College; check the school's own zone map for any address.