Last updated October 2026
Northcote is a well-established North Shore Auckland suburb between Birkenhead and Hillcrest — anchored by the Northcote town centre commercial precinct (currently in major regeneration) and the Northcote Point ferry terminal connecting to the CBD.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 8,960, up 1% since 2018
- Land area
- 4.43 km²
- Location
- 5.5 km north of central Auckland
- Council
- Auckland Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Birkenhead, Northcote Point, Hillcrest, Takapuna, Wairau Valley
- Ward or local board
- Kaipātiki Local Board
- Getting there
- Lake Road and Onewa Road, with the Auckland Harbour Bridge to the city; Northcote Point ferry and frequent buses on Lake Road and Onewa Road
- Main shopping
- Northcote town centre
- Schools
- Northcote College, Northcote Intermediate, Northcote School (Auckland), Onepoto School, St Mary’s School (Northcote)
- Nearby landmarks
- Le Roys Bush, Onepoto Domain, Northcote Point ferry terminal
Who Lives in Northcote
About 8,960 residents in 3,190 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
About Northcote
Northcote is one of the longer-established North Shore Auckland suburbs — built up substantially from the mid-20th century with a mix of weatherboard houses, brick-and-tile bungalows and more recent townhouses.
The suburb is currently undergoing the Northcote town centre regeneration — a Kāinga Ora-led redevelopment that’s renewing the central commercial area with mixed housing, retail and community facilities. Northcote Point on the inner harbour has the ferry terminal for direct CBD access.
Northcote Town Centre Regeneration
The Northcote town centre regeneration is one of Auckland’s largest urban renewal projects — led by Kāinga Ora (NZ’s public housing agency), the multi-year project is rebuilding the town centre with mixed-tenure housing, refreshed retail, community spaces and public realm improvements. The regeneration is fundamentally reshaping Northcote’s commercial heart over the 2020s, with progressive completion of various stages.
Le Roys Bush and Onepoto Domain
Le Roys Bush is a substantial bush reserve on the eastern edge of Northcote — one of the North Shore’s better-preserved native bush remnants with walking tracks through mature nikau, kauri and rimu.
The adjacent Onepoto Domain sits in a 600m-wide volcanic crater with the Onepoto Playground and surrounding green space. The combination gives Northcote residents substantial natural amenity unusual for an established inner North Shore suburb.
Near Northcote
Just outside Northcote, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Kāinga Ora — Northcote regeneration — major town centre redevelopment.
Auckland Transport — Northcote Point Ferry — ferry from CBD.
Auckland Council — Le Roys Bush Reserve — adjacent bush reserve.
Kaipātiki Local Board — local government area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Northcote?
North Shore Auckland between Birkenhead and Hillcrest. ~9 km from CBD.
What’s the town centre regeneration?
Kāinga Ora-led multi-year redevelopment of the Northcote town centre — mixed-tenure housing, refreshed retail, community spaces.
How do I get there?
15-min drive via Auckland Harbour Bridge or 10-min ferry from CBD via Northcote Point.
What’s Le Roys Bush?
Substantial native bush reserve on Northcote’s eastern edge — mature nikau, kauri, rimu with walking tracks.
What’s Onepoto Domain?
600m-wide volcanic crater containing the Onepoto Playground and surrounding green space.
Which schools are in Northcote?
Northcote College, Northcote Intermediate, Northcote School, Onepoto School and St Mary’s School (Northcote) are the local schools.
For more North Shore suburbs see Auckland Suburbs — including neighbouring Birkenhead.
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Explore Auckland only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Northcote is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.