Wānaka Central

Pop 1,467Median age 43Queenstown-Lakes District

Wānaka Central is a small community in Otago with a population of 1,467 and a median age of 43. Median personal income is $42K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Asian, Māori.

Median weekly rent in Wānaka Central is $770 (770 houses, 620 units). This represents approximately 95% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Wānaka Central: 1 school with avg EQI 405.

In 2026, Wānaka Central recorded 12 building approvals (5 houses, 7 units), down 89.6% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability95% Stretched
School QualityEQI 405 Average
Development-90% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$770
House Rent /wk$770
Unit Rent /wk$620
Rent-to-Income95.3%
Lodgements33
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,467
Median Age43
Household Size
Personal Income$42K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European83.2%
Asian9.1%
Māori4.8%
MELAA2.5%
Pacific Peoples0.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Construction162
Accommodation and Food123
Retail Trade87
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI405
Total Students302
State1
Te Kura O Take KāraraContributing · State · EQI 405 · 302 students
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)12
  Houses5
  Units7
YoY Change-89.6%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023