The Avenues is one of Whangarei’s more leafy and established central suburbs, covering the streets named Central Avenue through to Fifth Avenue — along with loosely associated streets including Kauika Road, Wilson Avenue, Selwyn Avenue, and Bernard Street. The suburb sits east of Hora Hora and west of the city centre, and is backed on its western edge by the Coronation Scenic Reserve, a forested hill reserve that forms part of the much larger Pukenui Forest (Ngahere o Pukenui). This combination of walkable green space, proximity to central Whangarei, and a mix of older housing makes The Avenues a distinctive part of the city.
Practical Information
| Location | Central Whangarei, west of the CBD |
| Boundaries | Bound east by Whangarei city centre, west by Hora Hora, south by commercial area |
| Key streets | Central Avenue, First through Fifth Avenues |
| Green spaces | Coronation Scenic Reserve, Cafler Park, Mander Park, Carruth Park |
| Population | Approx. 1,598 residents |
| Housing tenure | Approx. 54% rental accommodation |
| Oldest housing | Some properties date from 1880–1889; majority built 1940–1949 |
About The Avenues
The Avenues takes its name from the grid of numbered avenues that define its core — Central Avenue and First through Fifth avenues run through the neighbourhood, giving it a logical and walkable street layout. The suburb has some of Whangarei’s older housing stock, with the earliest recorded residential buildings dating from the 1880s and the majority of homes built in the 1940s. This gives the area a mix of villa-era and mid-century character that is somewhat different from the newer subdivisions further from the city.
The defining natural feature is the Coronation Scenic Reserve on the western edge of the suburb. The reserve is part of the broader Pukenui Forest, one of the larger remnant native forest areas close to Whangarei’s urban centre. Walking tracks run through the reserve, providing residents with direct access to native bush within minutes of their front door. From the reserve, the forest connects deeper into the Pukenui catchment.
Within the suburb itself, residents have access to four green spaces: Cafler Park, Mander Park, Carruth Park, and the Coronation Scenic Reserve. Cafler Park is among the better-known of Whangarei’s urban parks. This concentration of green space within walking distance is one of the features that distinguishes The Avenues from more suburban parts of the city.
Coronation Scenic Reserve and Pukenui Forest
The Coronation Scenic Reserve that backs onto The Avenues is part of Ngahere o Pukenui — the Pukenui Forest — which covers the hills rising west and north-west of central Whangarei. The reserve provides walking access into native bush that is unusual for a suburb so close to a city centre. Tracks within and above the reserve can connect to the wider Pukenui network for those wanting longer walks.
The proximity of this kind of mature native forest to an urban residential area is one of The Avenues’ practical advantages. Early morning walks into the reserve are a regular activity for locals, and the bush provides a visual backdrop that keeps the suburb feeling less hemmed in than central locations sometimes do.
Where to Learn More
A detailed suburb profile covering the street layout, park access, housing character, and what makes The Avenues distinctive within Whangarei.
The council’s parks directory covers Cafler Park, Mander Park, and the Coronation Scenic Reserve, with access information and track details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Avenues in Whangarei?
The Avenues is a central Whangarei suburb immediately west of the CBD. Its core is formed by Central Avenue and First through Fifth Avenues, with Coronation Scenic Reserve forming the western boundary.
What green spaces are in The Avenues?
The suburb has four green spaces within or adjacent to it: Cafler Park, Mander Park, Carruth Park, and the Coronation Scenic Reserve. The reserve connects into the larger Pukenui Forest.
What is the Coronation Scenic Reserve?
The Coronation Scenic Reserve is a forested hill reserve on the western edge of The Avenues. It is part of Ngahere o Pukenui (Pukenui Forest) and has walking tracks accessible directly from the suburb.
What is Cafler Park?
Cafler Park is one of Whangarei’s established urban parks, located within The Avenues area. It provides open green space for the suburb’s residents.
Is The Avenues close to Whangarei city centre?
Yes — The Avenues is immediately west of the Whangarei CBD, making it one of the more centrally located residential suburbs in the city.
What is the housing like in The Avenues?
The suburb has some of Whangarei’s oldest housing, with properties dating from the 1880s. The majority of homes were built in the 1940s, giving the area a mix of villa-era and mid-century character. About 54% of occupants are in rental accommodation.
Can you walk into native bush from The Avenues?
Yes — the Coronation Scenic Reserve borders the suburb and gives direct access to native bush and walking tracks connecting into the broader Pukenui Forest.
The Avenues is part of the Whangarei suburbs guide. For walking tracks nearby, see the Whangarei walking tracks hub, or read about Woodhill just to the west.