Waiotahe

NZDep 8
Pop 1,602Median age 52Ōpōtiki District

Waiotahe is a small community in Bay of Plenty with a population of 1,602 and a median age of 52. Median personal income is $36K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Livability indicators for Waiotahe: NZDep decile 8 (high deprivation); 3 schools with avg EQI 519.

In 2026, Waiotahe recorded 2 building approvals (2 houses, 0 units), down 77.8% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
School QualityEQI 519 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 8 High
Development-78% Slowing
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,602
Median Age52
Household Size
Personal Income$36K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European59.8%
Māori35.0%
Asian2.7%
Pacific Peoples2.2%
MELAA0.3%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing189
Construction96
Health Care and Social Assistance60
SCHOOLS (3)
Avg EQI519
Total Students289
State3
Woodlands School (Opotiki)Full Primary · State · EQI 516 · 168 students
Waiotahe Valley SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 505 · 101 students
Kutarere SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 536 · 20 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile8/10
NZDep Score1036
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)2
  Houses2
YoY Change-77.8%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023