Top 5 High-Yield Suburbs in NZ (2025)

If you’re a property investor looking for strong rental yields in 2025, New Zealand still offers pockets of opportunity — especially if you know where to look beyond the major cities. With property prices stabilising and rents continuing to climb in some regions, savvy investors are shifting their focus from capital gains to cashflow-positive suburbs.

Here are five high-yield areas to watch in 2025:

1. Invercargill (Southland)

One of NZ’s most consistent yield performers, Invercargill offers gross yields of 6–8% in certain pockets. Low entry prices and stable tenant demand from trade, student, and health sectors keep this market strong.

2. Whanganui (Manawatū-Whanganui)

A classic investor favourite. Despite modest capital growth, Whanganui consistently returns 5.5–6.5% gross yields, with family homes in demand.

3. Christchurch (Canterbury)

Select suburbs like Aranui, Phillipstown, and Linwood are showing strong rental returns relative to their house prices. Christchurch combines urban convenience with affordable prices.

4. Rotorua (Bay of Plenty)

Investor-friendly and still relatively affordable, Rotorua has high rental demand from hospitality and tourism workers. Look to outer suburbs for yield.

5. Papakura (South Auckland)

While Auckland generally offers lower yields, suburbs like Papakura and Manurewa offer 4.5–5.5% and attract long-term tenants. Infrastructure development in the south also supports growth.

Always run the numbers using a rental yield calculator (check out ours under Tools), and factor in maintenance costs and vacancy rates. For updated suburb-level data, CoreLogic NZ and homes.co.nz are solid resources.