Tauranga has made it on the list of top 10 most expensive places to rent in New Zealand.

But it is still not the most expensive distrct to rent, that honour belongs to North Shore city, Porirua and Manukau city are the most expensive districts to rent in New Zealand, according to the latest data from Trade Me.

"After years of strong rent growth in Aotearoa’s main centres, it is now those districts slightly further from the main centres that have the highest rental price tag," says Trade Me property sales director Gavin Lloyd.

"It seems Kiwi are opting for a slightly longer commute in exchange for a bit more space and a quieter neighbourhood."

Looking at our most expensive districts, North Shore city saw rents climb $30 on July to a record-breaking $730 per week, Porirua saw rents rise $15 on July to $695, while Manukau city saw a $10 jump on July to reach a new high of $690.

"Tauranga is a surprising addition to the top ten, coming in at number six, with a median weekly rent of $680 in August, overtaking rents in Auckland and Wellington city. There’s a lot to love about living in Tauranga with the beach at your doorstep and relaxed lifestyle."

Gavin says rentals in Wellington and Auckland city are often urban properties like townhouses, apartments and units which are a cheaper option.

The top ten most expensive districts to rent in Aotearoa

Region / District / Median weekly rent in August 2023 / Year-on-year percentage change

-Auckland / North Shore city / $730 (new record) / 12.3 per cent

-Wellington / Porirua / $695 / 2.2 per cent

-Auckland / Manukau city / $690 (new record) / 9.5 per cent

-Auckland / Rodney / $690 / 6.2 per cent

-Auckland / Papakura / $680 / 7.9 per cent

-Bay of Plenty / Tauranga / $680 / 7.1 per cent

-Wellington / Upper Hutt / $670 / 17.5 per cent

-Wellington / Wellington city / $660 / 10 per cent

-Auckland / Auckland city / $650 / 12.1 per cent

-Auckland / Franklin / $650 / 4.8 per cent

"Unfortunately, no matter which district you are in, it is likely that it is now costing you more to rent than the same time last year and in some cases, than in July."

Around the regions

With supply falling and demand soaring, rents across the country climbed in August.

Nationwide, supply fell 17 per cent year-on-year while demand increased 14 per cent, sending prices north. New Zealand’s median weekly rent climbed seven per cent in August when compared to a year ago, at $620.

"Rents in Canterbury reached a new record at $570, along with Northland at $590 and Otago at $560.

"Meanwhile Marlborough, Southland, Nelson/Tasman and Auckland all experienced a double-digit percentage increase in median weekly rent when compared with the year prior."

Large properties in Auckland break record

Large properties (five+ bedrooms) in Aotearoa saw the largest annual percentage increase of any property size in August.

The eight per cent jump for large properties saw the median weekly rent in New Zealand climb to $995, edging closer to the $1,000 mark.

Gavin says large properties in Auckland saw a significant 15 per cent jump in rent to reach a record-breaking $1130 in August, making it the most expensive property size in the country.

"Across every property size in New Zealand we saw an annual increase in median weekly rent. The only one to buck the trend was five+ bedroom properties in Wellington which fell 1 per cent to $985."