Governors Bay Suburb Guide
A peaceful hillside settlement at the head of Lyttelton Harbour
Ward: Banks Peninsula
Governors Bay is a small, scenic community at the southern end of Lyttelton Harbour, connected to the city by the Summit Road and accessible via Cashmere and the Port Hills. The settlement is characterised by lifestyle properties, orchards, and market gardens on the steep terraced slopes above the harbour, with stunning views across the water to the hills beyond.
The community is small but active -- the Governors Bay Hotel is a beloved local institution and a destination for Christchurch day-trippers. Walking tracks connect the settlement to the wider Port Hills network and the Christchurch tramway track. Governors Bay School is one of Christchurch's smallest state primary schools.
Property in Governors Bay is sought after for its lifestyle values, harbour views, and tranquillity, though the challenging access and distance from urban amenities means it suits buyers who specifically value rural-coastal living over convenience. Heritage properties and character homes are common in the settlement.
Key Features
- Spectacular Lyttelton Harbour views
- Governors Bay Hotel: heritage dining destination
- Summit Road and Port Hills walking access
- Lifestyle blocks with orchards and gardens
- Small, tight-knit community
Property Market (Q4 2025)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $680,000 |
| Year-on-Year Change | +0.4% |
| Median Weekly Rent | $470/wk |
| Gross Rental Yield | 3.6% |
| Revaluation Change | +3.5% |
Demographics (2023 Census)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 720 |
| Median Age | 47 |
| Median Income | $70,000 |
| Growth Rate | +0.3% |
Nearby Suburbs
Schools in Governors Bay (15)
There are 15 schools in Governors Bay, Christchurch.
| School | Type | EQI | Roll | Authority | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairehau High School | Secondary (Y9-15) | 510 | 421 | State | Zoned |
| Shirley Boys' High School - Ngā Tama o Ōruapaeroa | Secondary (Y9-15) | 464 | 1,342 | State | Zoned |
| Akaroa Area School | Composite (Y1-15) | 455 | 126 | State | Open |
| The Cathedral Grammar School | Primary (Y1-8) | N/A | 237 | Private | Private |
| Lyttelton Primary School | Primary (Y1-8) | 424 | 120 | State | Zoned |
| Diamond Harbour School | Primary (Y1-8) | 412 | 109 | State | Open |
| Duvauchelle School | Primary (Y1-6) | 420 | 25 | State | Zoned |
| Te Kura o Ōhinetahi - Governors Bay | Primary (Y1-8) | 386 | 91 | State | Zoned |
| Little River School | Primary (Y1-8) | 423 | 35 | State | Open |
| Mairehau Primary School | Primary (Y1-8) | 466 | 360 | State | Zoned |
| Okains Bay School | Primary (Y1-8) | 545 | 8 | State | Open |
| St Mary's School (Christchurch) | Primary (Y1-8) | 397 | 117 | State Integrated | Open |
| St Teresa's School (Riccarton) | Primary (Y1-8) | 398 | 160 | State Integrated | Zoned |
| Waimairi School | Primary (Y1-6) | 418 | 306 | State | Zoned |
| Yaldhurst School – Tōtara Tūkaha | Primary (Y1-8) | 432 | 124 | State | Zoned |