Interactive map: How rents have changed in your suburb

Explore how median weekly rent has changed in your suburb since 2001 using our new interactive map.

The interactive from the Herald data desk shows the percentage change in median weekly rent for suburbs (area units) in cities and towns for 2013 census compared to 2006 and 2001.

The purpose of this interactive is to give readers access to the data to help explore local patterns and changes.

The map uses a single data point, so readers should interpret it with caution.

Many factors could contribute to the change in median weekly rent. There is no one overarching explanation.

On hover/tap, readers can see the median weekly rent for each census along with the total households stated for that suburb.

For example, for Auckland Harbourside area unit the rents have dropped slightly from $522 in 2013 to $500 in 2001. The significant detail in this case is the increase in number of total households stated which have gone up from 255 to 1386.

The households for an area unit only include the ones that are renting.

According to Statistics NZ, the subject population for 'weekly rent paid by households variable is households in rented private occupied dwellings ie households that do not own their home or have it in a family trust and are paying rent'.

The median rent values for 2001 and 2006 census are adjusted for inflation.

Each city has a different pattern, depending on the number of households renting in the area unit and what has happened with the housing, or development in that particular area.

Also, areas with a small number of total households could find the median income skewed due to few households paying higher rent.

Readers can see the effect of Christchurch earthquake on weekly rent by seeing the percentage change since 2006.

For rural areas, readers can see the effect of population exodus with rents remaining stagnant over the decade.

This shows percentage change in median weekly rent since 2001 for Tokoroa.

According to Statistics NZ the data from this variable is used:
• to provide information on housing affordability
• to produce data on median rents at a regional level
• to formulate and monitor housing policy
• in conjunction with household income data to estimate the residual income available for expenditure by the household.