Howick

Including Mellons Bay, Cockle Bay and Shelly Park.

Howick's a bit of a paradox. To many it's been that new area out east but today, by the sheer volume of new suburbs that have sprung up around it, it's now the older kid on the block. It was settled in the 1850s by Fencibles: retired soldiers and their families who were brought to New Zealand from the British Isles in the 1850s to defend Auckland in return for land. For the next 100 years the town was dominated by holiday homes and farms. The rural land was gradually developed into housing during the 1950s and 1960s. Who lives there? Dutch and English immigrants in the 1950s and 1960s have been joined in more recent times by those from South African and Asia. There's a strong sense of community here due to many established families with older children. Boat clubs are very active. As you'd expect around waterfront properties, you'll find some folk with fairly deep pockets. Typical dwellings There are century-old cottages and villas, but the majority are mid-20th-century brick-and-tile or weatherboard homes. The influx of Asian buyers has meant that many of the homes built in the past decade have plaster exteriors, double-height porticos and classical-style pillars. Amenities Macleans College is admired but only some of Howick is in its coveted zone. Howick Village has a wide range of shops, with more than 100 owner-operated stores offering everything from the basics to upmarket luxuries The range of eateries reflects the ethnic diversity and the cosmopolitan nature of the locals.

There are beautiful beaches, plentiful reserves, sports clubs and an active cultural scene. The Howick Historic Village is a fascinating showcase of olde worlde life. REAL ESTATE Trends House-proud and spurred on by high real estate values, many Howickians are investing in renovations of older homes. In other cases, old houses are being removed to make way for a contemporary home.

Most sections which can be subdivided, have been. This area is no longer surrounded by farmland, so is a bustling, urban place rather than the quaint little villagey back-water which attracted many families in the past.

While prices are showing no signs of flagging, the slower rate of Asian immigration during the past year probably means the increases are less in Howick than they might otherwise have been. Rental and investment Demand for rental properties is steady and the tenants are generally good. Best streets Pleasant Place, Mellons Bay, Island View Terrace, Howick, Pounamu Place, Shelly Beach, Seaview Terrace and Pah Road, Cockle Bay.