Southshore, in Christchurch, has been named one of three finalists in Trade Me Property’s inaugural People’s Choicest Awards as one of New Zealand’s favourite suburbs.
The competition celebrates everyday life in New Zealand and recognises the places Kiwis feel most connected to.
The awards feature seven categories: Suburb, Playground, Bush (shrub or tree), Dairy, Public Toilet, Landmark, and Local Legend.
Southshore is up against Morrinsville in the Waikato and Pāpāmoa in the Bay of Plenty for the title of Choicest Suburb.
Southshore
The finalists were chosen from public nominations that closed on December 29, with voting now open until February 14.
Kiwis can cast their vote on the Trade Me website.
Trade Me Property customer director Gavin Lloyd said it was great to see regional suburbs shining through in the awards. “We weren’t quite sure what was going to emerge to win the hearts of Kiwi, but all three of these suburbs have a strong sense of community and close proximity to nature, so it’s really no surprise that they’ve come out on top,” Lloyd said.
Southshore, located on a narrow sandspit between the estuary and ocean, is a haven for nature lovers.
The area is renowned for its wild, dog-friendly beach, visits from seals and penguins, and the annual migration of godwits from Alaska.
The suburb’s close-knit community was also a key factor in its nomination.
Residents are known for welcoming newcomers with goodie bags, leaving fresh produce on neighbours’ doorsteps, and coming together for events like the Southshore community picnic and Matariki celebrations.
Damaged significantly during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Southshore lost 198 properties to the red zone.
However, the shared adversity has strengthened the community’s spirit, making it a standout in the competition.
Last year, Trade Me analysed the most-searched suburbs in major cities, but Lloyd said the People’s Choicest Awards revealed a different perspective.
“The best places to live in New Zealand, as nominated by Kiwis, are by and large not in our central cities,” he said.
Voting is open until February 14 at Trade Me’s website.
