June’s figure represents a 0.3% increase on May’s average – or around $2 more per week, and 2.9% year-on-year, or roughly $17 more per week, data collected from more than 16,500 rental properties managed by Barfoot & Thompson shows.

Director Kiri Barfoot says the figures are in keeping with the anticipated annual increase in rents across the city.

“The year-on-year increases in average rent have hovered between 2-3% each year for several years, with exception of the second and third quarters of 2020 when the Government-mandated rent freeze was in place.”

However, Barfoot says what has altered over time are the reasons behind the changes, which can cycle between housing types, sizes, and locations and depend on multiple factors.

“Over the past couple of quarters rents in some of the higher-priced areas, like the eastern suburbs and now the North Shore, have become more static, while the lower-priced areas of South Auckland, West Auckland and Rodney are now rising more quickly.

“For example, Rodney has seen significant migration and development recently. Just two years ago there was relatively little movement, under 2%, but it is now well over double that rate.

“And while the average rents in the south and west have risen at a greater rate than other areas, they remain the lowest-priced regions of the city behind rural Manukau/Franklin.”

Barfoot says the “typical” three-bedroom rental property remains the most popular and available option. And it has also experienced slightly higher than average weekly rent increases at 3.6%.