Last updated October 2026
Hei Hei is a western suburb of Christchurch, known for its residential character, community facilities and links to the nearby Hornby area. Bisected by State Highway 1, it offers practical access for residents and visitors heading west of the city centre.
The suburb developed from an early twentieth-century soldier settlement scheme tied to poultry farming, which shaped its name. Today it centres on local schools, Wycola Park and everyday neighbourhood life. It sits within the Hornby electoral ward and the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton community board area.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 3,670, about the same as 2018
- Land area
- 1.69 km²
- Location
- 8.7 km west of central Christchurch
- Council
- Christchurch City Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Hornby, Broomfield, Islington, Sockburn, Yaldhurst
- Ward or local board
- Hornby Ward; Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board
- Getting there
- Accessed via State Highway 1 (Main South Road) and local roads including Gilberthorpes Road and Wycola Avenue; Metro bus route 130 (Hei Hei/Avonhead) serves the suburb and connects to The Hub Hornby, with other routes linking to Hornby and the wider network
- Main shopping
- The Hub Hornby (nearby major centre for retail and services)
- Schools
- Gilberthorpe School (years 1–6); St Bernadette’s School (Catholic, years 1–8)
- Nearby landmarks
- Wycola Park and Hei Hei Community Centre (Wycola Avenue); The Hub Hornby; Hornby area facilities
Who Lives in Hei Hei
About 3,670 residents in 1,320 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
In Hei Hei
Places and businesses inside the official Hei Hei boundary.
Places
About Hei Hei
Hei Hei lies in the west of Christchurch and forms part of the city’s established residential fabric. State Highway 1 runs through the suburb, giving it strong road connections while local streets support everyday neighbourhood movement. The area is predominantly residential, with community spaces focused around Wycola Avenue.
The name relates to the Māori word heihei (chicken). After the First World War the land was subdivided for poultry farming by returning servicemen. Poor soil conditions meant the venture did not succeed as planned, yet the association with chickens remained in the place name.
An account of the Hei Hei Settlement covers the period from the early 1920s into the early 1930s and the lives of those who lived there.
Modern Hei Hei is a practical suburban neighbourhood. Gilberthorpe School opened in 1957 as a contributing primary, and St Bernadette’s School (Catholic) opened in 1962 as a full primary.
Community life centres on the Hei Hei Community Centre at 12 Wycola Avenue, which sits beside Wycola Park. The park includes open space, a playground, basketball court and skate facilities. A Kidsfirst kindergarten is also located on Wycola Avenue beside the park.
Visitors and residents find a quiet residential setting with easy reach of Hornby’s larger retail and service hub. The suburb suits people looking for western Christchurch living with local schools and parks, while remaining connected by major roads and Metro bus services.
History and Heritage
Hei Hei began as a soldier settlement scheme after the First World War. Land was set aside for returned servicemen to take up poultry farming. The scheme struggled because of poor soil, and many original holdings did not continue as intended.
Christchurch City Libraries holds material on the Hei Hei Settlement, including an account by Brian McGlinchy covering development and residents from 1921 into the early 1930s.
The place name’s link to heihei (chicken) is widely noted in local references and reflects that farming history. Later residential development filled out the suburb, with schools and community buildings added in the mid-twentieth century.
The Hei Hei Community Centre (also referred to in council documents as the Community Link) has long served as a local gathering place; council processes have addressed its condition and future community use, including links to groups such as the Hornby Menzshed.
Getting Around and Community Facilities
State Highway 1 provides the main arterial through Hei Hei, with local roads such as Gilberthorpes Road and Wycola Avenue serving residential streets.
Metro route 130 runs as the Hei Hei/Avonhead service and connects the suburb with The Hub Hornby and other points including Church Corner, Riccarton and Avonhead. Additional Metro routes serve the wider Hornby area, giving options into the central city and surrounding suburbs.
Wycola Park and the adjoining community centre form the main local outdoor and gathering hub. The centre offers a hall and associated spaces for hire and community activity.
The park supports informal recreation with its playground, courts and skate area. Larger shopping, dining and services are concentrated at The Hub Hornby, a short distance away, which functions as the primary retail destination for Hei Hei residents.
Community facilities remain focused on neighbourhood scale: the schools, kindergarten, park and centre. Council property and community board discussions have continued to shape the future of sites such as the community link building and other local land for community or related purposes.
Near Hei Hei
Just outside Hei Hei, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Hei Hei – Wikipedia: Overview of the suburb, name origin, location and schools with cited references.
Christchurch City Council: Official information on wards, community boards, facilities, bookings and local projects in the Hei Hei and Hornby area.
Metro Christchurch timetables: Current bus routes including the 130 Hei Hei/Avonhead service and connections via The Hub Hornby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hei Hei in Christchurch?
Hei Hei is a western suburb of Christchurch, bisected by State Highway 1 and close to Hornby.
What does the name Hei Hei mean?
The name is related to the Māori word heihei, meaning chicken, reflecting the area’s history as a poultry farming settlement for returned servicemen.
What schools are in Hei Hei?
Gilberthorpe School (years 1–6) and St Bernadette’s School (Catholic, years 1–8) serve the suburb.
How do I get to Hei Hei by public transport?
Metro bus route 130 (Hei Hei/Avonhead) serves the suburb and links to The Hub Hornby; other routes connect through the Hornby area to the wider Christchurch network.
Is there a park or community centre in Hei Hei?
Yes. Wycola Park and the Hei Hei Community Centre are on Wycola Avenue. The park has a playground, basketball court and skate facilities.
Where do people in Hei Hei shop?
The main nearby shopping centre is The Hub Hornby, which provides retail and services for the wider western area.
What is the local council ward for Hei Hei?
Hei Hei is in the Hornby electoral ward and under the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board.
Was Hei Hei always a residential suburb?
No. It began as a post-First World War soldier settlement intended for poultry farming; residential development followed after the farming venture faced difficulties with soil conditions.
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Explore Christchurch only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Hei Hei is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.