Dave Matehaere's morning commute from Hamilton to Auckland takes just under two hours.

A new breed of Aucklander is emerging – the mega-commuter.

They have fled the steep prices of the hot Auckland property market, but still work in the super city.

Instead of financing hefty mortgages, they choose to pay with their time, living in the North Waikato and commuting to Auckland.

Chris McKeen Dave Matehaere commutes from Hamilton to Auckland to work in Penrose.

An average commute from Hamilton to central Auckland is 124km - about 1.5 hours. It is the equivalent of living in Palmerston North and commuting to Wellington or living in Geraldine and commuting to Christchurch.

READ MORE:

* Get more out of living in Auckland with our So Auckland email newsletter

* Auckland's future: More sprawl but better public transport

* Which of New Zealand's major cities has the worst traffic congestion?

* Auckland's transport plan key to Hamilton commuter woes

The mega-commute is being forced by Auckland property prices.



According to latest Real Estate Institute figures, Auckland's median house price was $805,000.



By contrast the Waikato/Bay of Plenty median was $419,000 - a near 50 percent difference compared to Auckland.



Rents are also cheaper - the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment statistics said renting in the Waikato was $184.36 cheaper on average than renting in Auckland.

Dave Matehaere lives in Hamilton but works in Auckland.

He said the living costs associated with Auckland drove him out.

"The rent is just so different. I could never afford to buy in Auckland – I travelled the world, I didn't save for a house," said Matehaere,



"If I was to move to Auckland, we would have to have people living with us. We would have to have flatmates and stuff, and with two kids, there's just no way."



But the lure of the Auckland job market and its higher salaries keeps him working there.



"I could paint cars in Auckland for $35 an hour or I could paint cars in Hamilton for $25 an hour."

Chris McKeen Three hours a day in a car - but Dave Matehaere still reckons it is worth it.

Matehaere currently commutes in a company car but said even if access to a company car were restricted, he would still complete his 230km daily round trip commute in a personal car despite the travel costs.

"I'd spend 40 bucks a day in gas, but I could potentially earn up to $100 more."

The benefits for shifting to the fringe suburbs or the super city, and beyond into the Waikato, can make sense for some, said Ian Little, research manager for real estate firm Bayleys.

"When comparing the cost of financing a mortgage, based on current median house prices ... and the cost of commuting, it's clear that Auckland's outer suburbs offer excellent value for money," Little said.

Statistics New Zealand figures show the number of people commuting from neighbouring towns and cities increased by about 1000 people between 2006 and 2013.

The number of Hamilton commuters increased by 1164 and the number of Pukekohe commuters increased by 1503 – totaling 1995 Hamilton travellers and 6909 Pukekohe travellers.

However, ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie disagreed with the economic sense of the mega-commute.

Factoring in the cost of a commuter's time showed it was no cheaper living outside Auckland, he said, and time spent travelling could be better spent at home or at work.

"You can't ignore time with that equation. It could be family time or time made up at work."

- Ruwade Bryant is a Wintec journalism student

Get more out of living in Auckland with our So Auckland email newsletter. Sign up here.