Last updated October 2026
Grafton is a central Auckland suburb dominated by the Auckland City Hospital campus and the University of Auckland’s Grafton campus, with mature residential streets, the Auckland Domain on its southern edge, and the Grafton Bridge as one of central Auckland’s most distinctive landmarks.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 6,140, up 15% since 2018
- Land area
- 1.04 km²
- Location
- 1.4 km south of central Auckland
- Council
- Auckland Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Auckland Central, Eden Terrace, Parnell, Mount Eden, Newmarket, Epsom
- Ward or local board
- Waitematā Local Board
- Getting there
- Park Road and Symonds Street, with Grafton Bridge into the CBD; frequent buses on Park Road and Symonds Street, and Mt Eden train station on the City Rail Link nearby
- Schools
- Northern Health School, Te Kapehu Whetu – Tamaki
- Nearby landmarks
- Grafton Bridge, Auckland Domain, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland War Memorial Museum
Who Lives in Grafton
About 6,140 residents in 2,050 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
About Grafton
Grafton is functionally defined by two institutions: Auckland City Hospital (the country’s largest hospital, including Starship Children’s Hospital) and the University of Auckland Grafton campus (the medical and health sciences faculties).
Together these employ thousands and shape much of the daily Grafton population. The residential streets — including the historic Grafton Mews and the streets backing onto Auckland Domain — combine older heritage houses with newer apartment developments aimed at students and hospital staff.
Grafton Bridge and the Domain Connection
Grafton Bridge (opened 1910) spans the Grafton Gully — at the time of construction the largest reinforced-concrete arch bridge in the world. It remains a heritage landmark and a key piece of Auckland’s transport network, carrying buses and cycle traffic between the CBD/Symonds Street and the K Road precinct.
The Auckland Domain sits immediately south of Grafton, the city’s largest central park, containing the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Wintergardens, sports fields and the duck pond. Grafton residents have substantial Domain access on their doorstep.
Hospital and University Campus
Auckland City Hospital’s campus on Park Road employs around 13,000 people and includes Starship (the children’s hospital), the Auckland Hospital outpatient services, and multiple specialist clinics.
Adjoining it, the University of Auckland’s Grafton campus houses the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, the medical school, and related research institutes. The combination creates a high-density education-and-healthcare precinct distinct from the wider CBD.
Near Grafton
Just outside Grafton, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Auckland City Hospital — official hospital website covering services and location.
University of Auckland — Grafton Campus — official campus information for medical and health sciences.
Auckland Council — Auckland Domain — Domain park information.
Heritage New Zealand — Grafton Bridge — heritage registration for the 1910 reinforced-concrete bridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Grafton?
Central Auckland immediately south-east of the CBD — about 1.5 km from Britomart.
What’s the hospital here?
Auckland City Hospital, the country’s largest, including Starship Children’s Hospital.
Is the University of Auckland in Grafton?
Yes — the Grafton campus is the medical and health sciences faculties of the university.
What’s Grafton Bridge?
A 1910 reinforced-concrete arch bridge — at the time the largest in the world. Carries buses and cycle traffic into the CBD.
Is the Auckland Domain part of Grafton?
The Domain sits on Grafton’s southern edge — substantial parkland with the Auckland Museum, Wintergardens and sports fields.
Which schools are in Grafton?
Grafton schools include Northern Health School and Te Kapehu Whetu – Tamaki.
For more central Auckland suburbs see Auckland Suburbs — including neighbouring Parnell.
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Explore Auckland only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Grafton is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.