Waitarere

NZDep 5
Pop 2,463Median age 52Horowhenua District

Waitarere is a small suburb in Manawatu-Whanganui with a population of 2,463 and a median age of 52. Median personal income is $38K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Pacific Peoples.

Median weekly rent in Waitarere is $500 (500 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 68% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Waitarere: NZDep decile 5 (moderate deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 464; 1 transport stop (1 bus).

In 2026, Waitarere recorded 3 building approvals (3 houses, 0 units), down 86.4% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability68% Stretched
School QualityEQI 464 Average
DeprivationDecile 5 Moderate
Transport Access1 stops Some Access
Development-86% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$500
House Rent /wk$500
Rent-to-Income67.9%
Lodgements15
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population2,463
Median Age52
Household Size
Personal Income$38K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European75.5%
Māori18.6%
Pacific Peoples3.1%
Asian2.4%
MELAA0.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Construction162
Health Care and Social Assistance135
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing120
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI464
Total Students273
State2
Koputaroa SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 452 · 171 students
Poroutawhao SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 476 · 102 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile5/10
NZDep Score978
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
TRANSPORT
Bus Stops1
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)3
  Houses3
YoY Change-86.4%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023