How to Read Auckland Grammar & Epsom Girls Grammar School Zone Maps

Why Understanding Zone Maps Is Critical

School zone boundaries determine whether your children can attend Auckland Grammar School (boys) or Epsom Girls Grammar School (girls). Being in-zone gives priority access to these Decile 10 schools. Out-of-zone students can only enter via ballot if spaces remain (unlikely).

Properties in the Double Grammar Zone (both AGS and EGGS zones) command a 10-20% premium over similar properties outside the zones. A zone mapping error could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars or prevent your children from attending these schools.

Where to Find Official School Zone Maps

1. Auckland Grammar School Zone Map

• Official website: www.ags.school.nz
• Direct contact: Phone 09 623 5400, Email admin@ags.school.nz
• Physical address: Mountain Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023

2. Epsom Girls Grammar School Zone Map

• Official website: www.eggs.school.nz
• Direct contact: Phone 09 623 1550, Email admin@eggs.school.nz
• Physical address: Silver Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023

3. Ministry of Education

• Education Counts: www.educationcounts.govt.nz
• School zone finder: Search by address to see zone coverage

How to Read Zone Boundary Maps

Understanding Map Elements

Colored areas:

• Blue shading: Auckland Grammar School zone
• Pink/Red shading: Epsom Girls Grammar School zone
• Purple/Overlap: Double Grammar Zone (both schools)
• White/Unshaded: Out of zone

Boundary lines:

• Solid lines: Definite zone boundaries (streets, railway lines, geographic features)
• Street names: Boundary streets - check if your side is in or out
• Property by property: Some boundaries run down the middle of streets

Common Boundary Types

1. Street as boundary (most common):

• "Properties on the [north/south/east/west] side of [Street Name] are in-zone"
• Example: "North side of Greenlane Road West" = only properties on north side qualify
• Critical: Corner properties require special verification

2. Mid-street boundaries:

• Odd numbers on one side, even numbers on the other
• One side in-zone, other side out-of-zone
• Always verify your specific house number

3. Geographic boundaries:

• Railway lines (e.g., southern train line)
• Motorways (e.g., Southern Motorway)
• Parks and reserves
• These are clearer than street boundaries

Step-by-Step: Checking If Your Address Is In-Zone

Step 1: Look Up the Address on Official Maps

1. Visit Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar official websites
2. Download or view their current zone maps (PDF or interactive)
3. Locate your street on both maps
4. Note which side of the street is in-zone (if applicable)

Step 2: Check Multiple Sources

• Ministry of Education zone finder tool
• Auckland Council GeoMaps (shows school zones layer)
• Real estate listings (but don't rely on them alone!)
• Cross-reference all sources - discrepancies mean you MUST verify with schools

Step 3: Call Both Schools Directly

This is the most important step!

What to say:

Get it in writing:

• Ask the school to email confirmation of zone status
• Include this email in your property due diligence
• Show it to your lawyer before settlement

Step 4: Verify With BOTH Schools

For the Double Grammar Zone, you MUST verify with BOTH Auckland Grammar AND Epsom Girls Grammar. Don't assume if you're in one, you're in both. Zone boundaries differ.

Common Zone Map Mistakes (That Cost Buyers)

Mistake #1: Assuming Entire Suburb Is In-Zone

Reality: Only parts of Mount Eden, Parnell, Remuera, and Greenlane are in-zone. Epsom has the highest coverage (~95%) but even some Epsom streets are out-of-zone.

Mistake #2: Trusting Real Estate Listings

Agents sometimes say "Grammar Zone" in listings for properties that are NOT in-zone. They may mean "near Grammar Zone" or be genuinely mistaken. Always verify independently.

Mistake #3: Using Outdated Maps

Zone boundaries can change. A map from 2020 may not reflect 2025 boundaries. Always use the current year's maps from official school websites.

Mistake #4: Not Checking House Number

Mid-street boundaries mean number 23 is in-zone but number 24 (across the street) is NOT. Always verify your specific house number, not just the street name.

Mistake #5: Relying on Neighbors' Word

Neighbors may think they're in-zone but be mistaken. Or boundaries may have changed since they moved in. Trust only official school confirmation.

What If Maps Are Ambiguous?

Sometimes maps are unclear about boundaries. What to do:

1. Contact both schools immediately - they have definitive lists of in-zone addresses
2. Get written confirmation before proceeding with purchase
3. If schools disagree or are uncertain - walk away from the property (too risky)
4. Include in contract - some buyers make offers conditional on zone verification

Can Zone Boundaries Change After You Buy?

Yes, but it's uncommon.

Reasons boundaries change:

• School capacity: If schools become over-subscribed, zones may shrink
• Population changes: Urban development may trigger adjustments
• Ministry of Education policy: Government directives
• Equity considerations: Balancing access across communities

How to minimize risk:

• Buy in core Epsom (highest zone certainty, 95% coverage)
• Avoid boundary streets (first to lose status if zones shrink)
• Properties within 1km of both schools have maximum protection

Using Auckland Council GeoMaps

Auckland Council provides interactive zone maps:

1. Go to Auckland Council GeoMaps
2. Search for your address in the search bar
3. Enable "School zones" layer in the layers menu
4. View which school zones cover your property

Limitations:

• Council maps may not be updated as frequently as school maps
• Use as a preliminary check only, NOT as final confirmation
• Still verify with schools directly

What to Include in Your Property Offer

Option 1: Conditional Offer

Make your offer conditional on written confirmation from both schools that the property is in-zone. Give yourself 5-10 working days to obtain confirmation.

Option 2: Pre-Verification (Recommended)

Before making an offer:

1. Call both schools to verify the address
2. Get written email confirmation
3. Make unconditional offer (faster, more competitive)
4. Include school confirmation emails in your due diligence file

Checklist: Verifying Zone Status

Key Takeaways

• Maps are guides only - always verify with schools directly
• Get it in writing - email confirmation is essential
• Verify with BOTH schools for Double Grammar Zone properties
• Check your specific house number - not just the street
• Don't trust real estate listings alone - agents can be wrong
• Use current year maps - boundaries can change
• Core Epsom safest - 95% coverage, maximum protection