Central and Inner Suburbs

Pine Hill Dunedin: Affordable Suburb with Scenic Views

Last updated October 2026

Pine Hill is a residential suburb in Dunedin, New Zealand, located on a southern spur of Mount Cargill. It offers elevated views over North East Valley and sits approximately four kilometres north of the city centre.

The suburb features a mix of housing styles and benefits from proximity to State Highway 1. Residents appreciate the combination of suburban living and access to natural surroundings.

Official Suburb Facts

The official Pine Hill boundary. Boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Population (2023 Census)
About 480, down 1% since 2018
Land area
8.40 km²
Location
6.1 km north of central Dunedin
Council
Dunedin City Council
Neighbouring suburbs
Leith Valley, Normanby, Mount Cargill, North East Valley, Woodhaugh, Liberton, Glenleith
Local details
Getting there
Northern Motorway (State Highway 1); bus route 5 to the city centre
Nearby landmarks
Mount Cargill, Water of Leith valley, Lindsay Creek
Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.

Who Lives in Pine Hill

About 480 residents in 180 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.

Homes
Owned or in a family trust
86%NZ 66%
Rented
14%NZ 34%
Standalone houses
97%NZ 79%
Townhouses, units and flats
3%NZ 21%
Damp (always or sometimes)
16%NZ 18%
Mould larger than A4
7%NZ 14%
Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Pine Hill boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.

Schools in Pine Hill

There is no school inside the Pine Hill boundary, but these schools have enrolment zones that cover some or all of it.

Zoned for Pine Hill

P
Dunedin Rudolf Steiner SchoolYears 1 to 8 · State-integrated · co-ed
Roll 80Zone covers this suburb
P
Liberton Christian SchoolYears 1 to 8 · State-integrated · co-ed
Roll 140Zone covers this suburb
P
North East Valley Normal SchoolYears 1 to 6 · State · co-ed
Roll 193Zone covers part of this suburb
Show all 8 zoned schools
I
Dunedin North IntermediateYears 7 to 8 · State · co-ed
Roll 268Zone covers this suburb
C
Columba CollegeYears 1 to 13 · State-integrated · girls
Roll 607Zone covers this suburb
S
John McGlashan CollegeYears 7 to 13 · State-integrated · boys
Roll 526Zone covers this suburb
S
Logan Park High SchoolYears 9 to 13 · State · co-ed
Roll 795Zone covers this suburb
S
St Hildas CollegiateYears 7 to 13 · State-integrated · girls
Roll 464Zone covers this suburb
See school zones on the Dunedin Schools map

Source: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026. Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.

Bin Day in Pine Hill

Collection dayMonday
Bins out
by 7am on collection day
Green bin every weekFood scraps and garden waste
Recycling, then glass and rubbishYour yellow bin goes out one week, and your blue and red bins the next. You are on the Week 1 or 2 (depends on street) calendar.
Bin guide and drop-off points for Dunedin

Source: Dunedin City Council collection areas. Streets near a suburb edge can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure.

Buses from Pine Hill

5
Calton Hill to Pine Hill via South RoadAbout every 30 min
5
Calton Hill to Pine Hill via Hillside RoadA few trips a day

1 bus stop inside the suburb.

Source: Otago Regional Council (Orbus) timetable data, CC BY 4.0. Typical weekday daytime frequency.

Weather and Rent at a Glance

Sunshine1,776 hrsa year
Summer high19°Caverage, January and February
Winter high10°Caverage, July
Typical rent$620 a weekmedian, all homes, Dunedin City

Sources: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026. City-wide figures.

About Pine Hill

Pine Hill occupies a prominent spur of Mount Cargill, positioned between the Water of Leith valley to the west and Lindsay Creek to the east.

Pine Hill occupies a prominent spur of Mount Cargill, positioned between the Water of Leith valley to the west and Lindsay Creek to the east. The suburb provides panoramic views across North East Valley and the surrounding hills. Its elevated setting contributes to a sense of openness while remaining within easy reach of central Dunedin.

The Northern Motorway, part of State Highway 1, runs along the western flank of the hill, offering convenient road access. Regular bus services, including route 5, connect the suburb to the city centre in around 20 minutes. This combination of road and public transport links supports daily commuting for residents.

Housing in Pine Hill includes a range of single-family homes and sections. The suburb forms part of the city’s northern residential zone with established infrastructure.

Green spaces and walking opportunities exist nearby due to the hilly terrain and proximity to Mount Cargill tracks. The area maintains a quiet residential character with access to local amenities through Dunedin’s urban network.

Housing and Affordability

Pine Hill provides a selection of residential properties suited to families and individuals seeking suburban living.

Pine Hill provides a selection of residential properties suited to families and individuals seeking suburban living. Options include established homes and opportunities for new builds on available sections. Property values have shown modest growth in line with Dunedin trends.

The suburb’s location supports access to essential services without the higher costs sometimes associated with central areas. Buyers and renters can explore listings through local real estate platforms for current availability.

Education

Pine Hill School serves local children from Years 1 to 6 as a small contributing primary school with a current...

Pine Hill School serves local children from Years 1 to 6 as a small contributing primary school with a current roll of approximately 48 students. The school emphasises a nurturing environment for early education.

Intermediate and secondary options are available at nearby institutions such as Balmacewen Intermediate and Logan Park High School. Tertiary education at the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic lies within a short commute from the suburb.

Access and Transport

State Highway 1 provides direct motorway access north and south from Pine Hill.

State Highway 1 provides direct motorway access north and south from Pine Hill. The bus network, including the frequent route 5 service, offers reliable public transport to the city centre and other suburbs.

Pedestrian paths and the hilly layout encourage walking for local trips. Parking is generally available for residents with vehicles.

Near Pine Hill

Just outside Pine Hill, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.

Places

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Businesses

Explore all Dunedin businesses

Where to Learn More

Wikipedia – Pine Hill, New Zealand: Overview of the suburb’s geography and history.

DunedinNZ.com – Hill Suburbs: Information on Dunedin’s northern hill areas including Pine Hill.

Pine Hill School: Details on the local primary school and community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Pine Hill to Dunedin city centre?
Pine Hill lies approximately four kilometres north of the city centre.

Which school serves primary students in Pine Hill?
Pine Hill School provides education for children in Years 1 to 6.

How long does it take to reach the city centre by bus?
Bus route 5 typically takes around 20 minutes from Pine Hill to central Dunedin.

Is Pine Hill connected to the state highway network?
Yes, the Northern Motorway (State Highway 1) runs along the western side of the suburb.

What type of views does Pine Hill offer?
The suburb provides views over North East Valley and surrounding hills from its elevated position on Mount Cargill’s spur.

Are there walking opportunities near Pine Hill?
Nearby tracks around Mount Cargill offer scenic walking paths with city and harbour views.

Does Pine Hill include areas like Dalmore and Liberton?
Historical definitions of the suburb have encompassed the older Dalmore area and the Liberton state housing development.

Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

Explore Dunedin only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Pine Hill is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.