Wairoa

NZDep 10
Pop 4,707Median age 35Wairoa District

Wairoa is a small suburb in Hawke's Bay with a population of 4,707 and a median age of 35. Median personal income is $31K per year. The main ethnic groups are Māori, European, Pacific Peoples.

Median weekly rent in Wairoa is $450 (450 houses, 360 units). This represents approximately 75% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Wairoa: NZDep decile 10 (high deprivation); 6 schools with avg EQI 533; 1 hospital nearby.

In 2026, Wairoa recorded 2 building approvals (0 houses, 2 units), down 93.5% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability75% Stretched
School QualityEQI 533 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 10 High
Development-93% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$450
House Rent /wk$450
Unit Rent /wk$360
Rent-to-Income74.5%
Lodgements18
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population4,707
Median Age35
Household Size
Personal Income$31K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
Māori60.4%
European33.6%
Pacific Peoples3.9%
Asian2.0%
MELAA0.2%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Manufacturing474
Education and Training231
Health Care and Social Assistance177
SCHOOLS (6)
Avg EQI533
Total Students996
State4
State : Integrated1
Charter School1
Wairoa CollegeSecondary (Year 7-15) · State · EQI 533 · 373 students
Wairoa Primary SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 542 · 268 students
TKKM o Ngati Kahungunu o Te WairoaComposite · State · EQI 532 · 196 students
St Joseph's School (Wairoa)Full Primary · State : Integrated · EQI 502 · 85 students
Tiaho Primary SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 558 · 74 students
Te Whare Kounga (Proposed opening date: 2026-07-20)Secondary (Year 7-15) · Charter School
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile10/10
NZDep Score1173
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
HOSPITALS (1)
Wairoa Hospital & Health CentrePublic Hospital
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)2
  Units2
YoY Change-93.5%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023