Last updated October 2026
Kilbirnie is an eastern suburb of Wellington located 3 km southeast of the CBD on the flat Rongotai isthmus between Evans Bay and Lyall Bay.
Named after the Scottish town of Kilbirnie by original landowner James Coutts Crawford, the area stayed relatively isolated until the opening of the Hataitai tram tunnel in 1907 improved access to the city. It developed rapidly after that and now serves as a key commercial and community centre for Wellington’s eastern suburbs.
The suburb features the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre, and a local shopping precinct centred on Kilbirnie Crescent.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 3,630, down 3% since 2018
- Land area
- 1.08 km²
- Location
- 3.9 km south-east of central Wellington
- Council
- Wellington City Council
- Ward or local board
- Motukairangi/Eastern General Ward (Wellington City Council)
- Getting there
- Kilbirnie Crescent and Kemp Street; Metlink buses to Wellington CBD
- Main shopping
- Kilbirnie Crescent shopping precinct
- Nearby landmarks
- Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, Ākau Tangi Sports Centre, Hataitai Bus Tunnel, Lyall Bay beach
Who Lives in Kilbirnie
About 3,630 residents in 1,560 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Kilbirnie
Four schools sit inside the Kilbirnie boundary. Some have an enrolment zone, so check an address is in zone before you buy or rent.
Show all 4 schools
Also zoned for Kilbirnie
Show all 5 zoned schools
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 Kilbirnie
Wellington City Council sets collection days street by street. Look up your address to get your day and which bins go out.
Find your bin day and what goes in each binSafety and Hazards
Higher than the Wellington average for the number of people who live here. Busy beaches, town centres and nightlife draw lots of visitors, which lifts the figure. Another 334 reports were at shops and businesses.
Sources: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary); Greater Wellington tsunami evacuation zones; Wellington City District Plan 2024 flood hazard overlays.
Buses from Kilbirnie
22 bus stops inside the suburb.
Source: Metlink timetable data, CC BY 4.0. Typical weekday daytime frequency.
Handy Facilities
Source: Wellington City Council public toilets; NZTA EVRoam charging sites.
Weather and Rent at a Glance
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 Kilbirnie
Places and businesses inside the official Kilbirnie boundary.
Places
Businesses
See all businesses in Kilbirnie
About Kilbirnie
Kilbirnie occupies the central section of the Rongotai isthmus, giving it a notably flat and accessible layout...
Kilbirnie occupies the central section of the Rongotai isthmus, giving it a notably flat and accessible layout compared with many other Wellington suburbs. This setting between Evans Bay to the north and Lyall Bay to the south supports easy walking and cycling within the suburb and to nearby beaches.
The suburb functions as the main commercial and community hub for Wellington’s eastern suburbs. Kilbirnie Crescent and adjacent streets host supermarkets, cafes, pharmacies and other everyday services that serve residents from nearby areas including Hataitai and Miramar.
Recreational facilities reinforce Kilbirnie’s role as a regional destination. The Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre at 63 Kilbirnie Crescent provides a 50-metre heated indoor pool, diving pool, toddlers’ pool, hydrotherapy pool, gym, spas and saunas. The Ākau Tangi Sports Centre at 72 Kemp Street offers indoor courts and spaces for a wide range of sports and community activities.
History
James Coutts Crawford, who farmed the land, named the suburb after Kilbirnie in Scotland.
James Coutts Crawford, who farmed the land, named the suburb after Kilbirnie in Scotland. The area remained part of his estate until sales in the 1870s opened it to housing development.
Rough terrain kept Kilbirnie isolated from central Wellington until the Hataitai tram tunnel (now the Hataitai Bus Tunnel) opened in April 1907. The tunnel enabled rapid suburban growth through the early twentieth century, establishing Kilbirnie as an important eastern commercial centre.
Near Kilbirnie
Just outside Kilbirnie, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Show 2 more places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Wellington City Council – Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre: official details on facilities, hours and programmes at the Kilbirnie pool complex.
Wellington City Council – Ākau Tangi Sports Centre: information on indoor sports facilities and bookings at the Kilbirnie venue.
Te Ara – Eastern Suburbs of Wellington: historical context on Kilbirnie and surrounding eastern suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kilbirnie located?
3 km southeast of Wellington CBD on the flat Rongotai isthmus between Evans Bay and Lyall Bay.
How did Kilbirnie get its name?
Named after the Scottish town of Kilbirnie by original landowner James Coutts Crawford.
When did Kilbirnie become more accessible from the city?
The Hataitai tram tunnel opened in 1907, greatly improving access and spurring development.
What is the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre?
A major public facility at 63 Kilbirnie Crescent offering a 50-metre pool, diving pool, toddlers’ pool, hydrotherapy pool, gym and other amenities.
What is the Ākau Tangi Sports Centre?
An indoor sports and recreation centre at 72 Kemp Street serving a wide range of community sports and activities.
What shopping is available in Kilbirnie?
Supermarkets, cafes, pharmacies and specialty retailers are concentrated on Kilbirnie Crescent and nearby streets.
Is Kilbirnie flat?
Yes, the suburb sits on the level Rongotai isthmus, making it more accessible than many hilly Wellington suburbs.
What beaches are near Kilbirnie?
Lyall Bay lies immediately to the south and Evans Bay to the north.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Wellington only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Kilbirnie is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.