Last updated October 2026
Hillcrest is a central North Shore Auckland residential suburb between Birkenhead and Glenfield — established family streets, good access to multiple commercial centres, the Onepoto Domain volcanic crater nearby, and easy SH1 motorway commuting.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 10,640, up 1% since 2018
- Land area
- 3.12 km²
- Location
- 6.7 km north of central Auckland
- Council
- Auckland Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Northcote, Birkenhead, Glenfield, Wairau Valley
- Ward or local board
- Kaipātiki Local Board
- Getting there
- Glenfield Road, Onewa Road and SH1 motorway access via Glenfield; buses on Glenfield Road and Onewa Road
- Main shopping
- Glenfield Mall and Northcote town centre, nearby
- Schools
- Sunnybrae Normal School, Willow Park School
- Nearby landmarks
- Onepoto Domain, Onepoto Playground
Who Lives in Hillcrest
About 10,640 residents in 3,530 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
About Hillcrest
Hillcrest is an established central North Shore residential suburb — built up substantially from the mid-20th century with post-war houses and progressive newer infill developments.
The central position between Birkenhead, Northcote and Glenfield gives Hillcrest residents easy access to multiple commercial and amenity centres without being on top of any one. Family demographic anchored by local schools and the nearby parks/reserves.
Onepoto Domain
Onepoto Domain sits in a substantial 600m-wide volcanic crater immediately adjacent to Hillcrest — one of the more distinctive Auckland Volcanic Field features in suburban use, with the Onepoto Playground (large destination playground), sports fields and surrounding grass space.
The crater is the largest of the explosive maar craters in the area and gives the surrounding suburbs (Hillcrest, Northcote) substantial green-space amenity.
Central Position
Hillcrest’s central position gives residents easy access to: Glenfield Mall (~5 min drive south); Birkenhead Point and ferry (~5 min drive east); Northcote town centre (~5 min drive south). SH1 motorway access via Glenfield gives ~18-minute CBD commute. The combination makes Hillcrest a practical “central everything” North Shore destination without paying the higher prices of the southern beach suburbs.
Near Hillcrest
Just outside Hillcrest, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council — Onepoto Domain — volcanic crater park.
Kaipātiki Local Board — local government area covering Hillcrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hillcrest?
Central North Shore between Birkenhead and Glenfield. ~11 km from CBD.
What’s Onepoto Domain?
A 600m-wide volcanic crater nearby — playground, sports fields, the largest maar crater in the wider area.
What’s the character?
Established family residential in a central position with good access to multiple commercial centres.
How do I commute to CBD?
~18-min drive via Auckland Harbour Bridge and SH1.
Which schools are in Hillcrest?
Schools listed for Hillcrest are Sunnybrae Normal School and Willow Park School.
Where do people in Hillcrest go shopping?
Glenfield Mall and Northcote town centre are the main shopping options, each about five minutes’ drive away.
For more central North Shore suburbs see Auckland Suburbs — including Glenfield and Northcote.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Auckland only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Hillcrest is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.