Central and Inner Suburbs

Opoho, Dunedin: Suburb Guide to Park Access and Community Living

Last updated October 2026

Opoho is a residential suburb in Dunedin, New Zealand, located on the western flank of Signal Hill approximately 3 kilometres northeast of the city centre. It offers residents easy access to extensive green spaces including Ross Creek Reserve, the Town Belt, and Signal Hill Reserve, along with sports facilities at Ōpoho Park.

The suburb features a mix of historic and modern housing on hilly terrain with views over the city and the Water of Leith. Local primary schooling is available at Ōpoho School, with secondary options nearby. Opoho maintains a strong community focus supported by its proximity to natural reserves and urban amenities.

Official Suburb Facts

The official Opoho boundary. Boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Population (2023 Census)
About 1,030, down 1% since 2018
Land area
1.60 km²
Location
4.0 km north-east of central Dunedin
Council
Dunedin City Council
Neighbouring suburbs
North East Valley, Ravensbourne, North Dunedin, Upper Junction
Local details
Getting there
Signal Hill Road; public transport to the city centre
Nearby landmarks
Ross Creek Reserve, Signal Hill Reserve, Ōpoho Park, Town Belt
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 Opoho

About 1,030 residents in 410 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.

Homes
Owned or in a family trust
70%NZ 66%
Rented
30%NZ 34%
Standalone houses
91%NZ 79%
Townhouses, units and flats
9%NZ 21%
Damp (always or sometimes)
16%NZ 18%
Mould larger than A4
13%NZ 14%
Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Opoho boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.

Schools in Opoho

One school sits inside the Opoho boundary. It has an enrolment zone, so check an address is in zone before you buy or rent.

P
Ōpoho SchoolYears 1 to 6 · State · co-ed
Roll 123Zone covers this suburb

Also zoned for Opoho

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
I
Dunedin North IntermediateYears 7 to 8 · State · co-ed
Roll 268Zone covers this suburb
Show all 8 zoned schools
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
S
Trinity Catholic CollegeYears 7 to 13 · State-integrated · co-ed
Roll 868Zone 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 Opoho

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 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.

Safety and Hazards

Crime at homes, streets and public places
LowerDunedin averageHigher

About the Dunedin average for the number of people who live here. Another 1 reports were at shops and businesses.

Theft 80%Burglary 15%Assault 5%

Sources: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary).

Buses from Opoho

10
Shiel Hill to OpohoAbout every 30 min
10
Opoho to Shiel HillAbout every 30 min

10 bus stops 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.

In Opoho

Places and businesses inside the official Opoho boundary.

Places

About Opoho

Opoho sits on hilly terrain that provides varied elevations and panoramic views across Dunedin.

Opoho sits on hilly terrain that provides varied elevations and panoramic views across Dunedin.

Green spaces define much of the local environment. Ross Creek Reserve offers native bush walks, while the Town Belt and Signal Hill Reserve provide additional trails and open areas. Ōpoho Park serves as a hub for organised sport with dedicated cricket and rugby fields managed by Dunedin City Council.

The suburb blends residential living with convenient access to the city centre via major roads and public transport. Its location supports both daily commutes and recreational use of nearby reserves.

Parks and Recreation

Opoho provides strong access to parks and reserves suitable for walking, family outings, and sports.

Opoho provides strong access to parks and reserves suitable for walking, family outings, and sports. Ross Creek Reserve features native bush trails, while Signal Hill Reserve and the Town Belt add further green space and viewpoints.

Ōpoho Park includes shared-use fields for cricket and rugby. Bookings for club sports are handled through Dunedin City Council facilities. Playgrounds and open areas support casual recreation for residents of all ages.

Education

Ōpoho School at 96 Signal Hill Road caters to students in Years 1–6.

Ōpoho School at 96 Signal Hill Road caters to students in Years 1–6. The school emphasises community involvement and inclusive learning environments with modern facilities and support programmes.

Logan Park High School lies a short distance away and serves as a co-educational secondary option with a broad curriculum including sciences, arts, and sports programmes.

Community and Amenities

Opoho features a mix of historic homes, bungalows, and newer builds.

Opoho features a mix of historic homes, bungalows, and newer builds. Limited local retail means residents often travel to adjacent suburbs or the city centre for shopping and dining.

Community events and gatherings occur at local venues and parks, reinforcing neighbourhood connections. Health services and other amenities are accessible via short trips into central Dunedin.

Near Opoho

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

Places

Show 2 more places

Businesses

Explore all Dunedin businesses

Where to Learn More

Dunedin City Council – Ōpoho Park: Details on sports facilities, bookings, and park management.

Stats NZ – Opoho summaries: Census data on population, demographics, and housing for the Opoho area.

Wikipedia – Opoho: Overview of suburb history and geography with references to primary sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Opoho to Dunedin city centre?
Opoho lies approximately 3 kilometres northeast of the city centre on the western flank of Signal Hill.

Which parks are accessible from Opoho?
Key reserves include Ross Creek Reserve for native bush walks, the Town Belt, Signal Hill Reserve, and Ōpoho Park for sports.

What sports are played at Ōpoho Park?
The park hosts cricket and rugby fields with bookings managed through Dunedin City Council.

Where is the local primary school located?
Ōpoho School is at 96 Signal Hill Road and caters to Years 1–6.

Is there secondary schooling nearby?
Logan Park High School is a short distance from Opoho and offers co-educational secondary education.

Are there walking trails in the area?
Yes, trails are available in Ross Creek Reserve, the Town Belt, and Signal Hill Reserve.

How is Opoho connected to central Dunedin?
Major roads and public transport options provide straightforward access to the city centre and surrounding suburbs.

Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

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