East Auckland

Botany Downs, Auckland: Family-Friendly East Auckland Suburb

Last updated October 2026

Botany Downs is the residential suburb adjacent to Botany Town Centre — established family housing on residential streets, close access to the Botany commercial precinct, and a strong family demographic anchored by the local schools and amenities.

Botany Downs also takes in the local area known as Botany.

Official Suburb Facts

The official Botany Downs boundary. Boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Population (2023 Census)
About 6,060, up 2% since 2018
Land area
1.73 km²
Location
15.4 km south-east of central Auckland
Council
Auckland Council
Neighbouring suburbs
Highland Park, Howick, Northpark, Golflands, Somerville
Local details
Ward or local board
Howick Local Board
Getting there
Local buses; SH1 motorway access
Main shopping
Botany Town Centre
Schools
Botany Downs School, Elim Christian College
Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.

Who Lives in Botany Downs

About 6,060 residents in 1,970 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.

Homes
Owned or in a family trust
69%NZ 66%
Rented
31%NZ 34%
Standalone houses
85%NZ 79%
Townhouses, units and flats
15%NZ 21%
Damp (always or sometimes)
17%NZ 18%
Mould larger than A4
15%NZ 14%
Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Botany Downs boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.

About Botany Downs

Botany Downs is the established residential suburb adjacent to the Botany Town Centre commercial precinct — family housing on substantial residential streets, with the proximity to the major shopping mall giving residents extensive commercial amenity within easy walking/driving distance. Strong family demographic anchored by the local schools.

Schools

Botany Downs School on Mirrabooka Avenue and Elim Christian College are the schools within Botany Downs. Botany Downs Secondary College, one of the larger East Auckland state secondary schools, is nearby on Chapel Road and serves the wider Botany, Pakuranga and Howick area.

Near Botany Downs

Just outside Botany Downs, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.

Places

Howick Historical VillageMuseums and Heritage Centres · 1.4 kmMountain Raiders BMX Club PakurangaBMX and Pump Tracks · 1.8 kmŌhuiarangi / Pigeon MountainVolcanic Cones and Maunga · 2.6 kmSnakes and Ladders Playground Farm CoveEast Auckland Playgrounds · 3.8 kmEastern Beach PlaygroundEast Auckland Playgrounds · 4.0 kmAyrlies Garden and Wetlands WhitfordGardens and Arboretums · 5.0 km

Businesses

Sterling CarsCar Dealership · 7.3 kmFeatured2K LimitedWindow Supplier · 7.9 kmKleanfreaksHouse Washing · 8.6 kmPro Clima NZBuilding Materials Supplier · 8.9 kmKiwi Self Storage – EllerslieSelf-Storage Facility · 9.5 km

Where to Learn More

Botany Downs Secondary College — local secondary school.

Botany Town Centre — adjacent shopping centre.

Howick Local Board — local government area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Botany Downs?
East Auckland — residential area adjacent to Botany Town Centre. ~17 km from CBD.

What schools?
Botany Downs School and Elim Christian College are within the suburb, and Botany Downs Secondary College is nearby on Chapel Road.

What’s the character?
Established East Auckland family residential with close access to Botany Town Centre.

Where do people in Botany Downs go shopping?
Botany Town Centre is the main shopping centre, within easy walking or driving distance.

How do I get to Botany Downs?
Botany Downs is served by local buses and has SH1 motorway access.

Which local board covers Botany Downs?
Botany Downs is in the Howick Local Board.

For more East Auckland suburbs see Auckland Suburbs — including Botany next door.

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Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

Explore Auckland only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Botany Downs is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.