Wakari

NZDep 6
Pop 4,131Median age 38Dunedin City

Wakari is a small suburb in Otago with a population of 4,131 and a median age of 38. Median personal income is $41K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Wakari is $565 (565 houses, 335 units). This represents approximately 71% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Wakari: NZDep decile 6 (moderate deprivation); 3 schools with avg EQI 423.

In 2026, Wakari recorded 0 building approvals (0 houses, 0 units), down 100% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability71% Stretched
School QualityEQI 423 Average
DeprivationDecile 6 Moderate
Development-100% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$565
House Rent /wk$565
Unit Rent /wk$335
Rent-to-Income71.1%
Lodgements42
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population4,131
Median Age38
Household Size
Personal Income$41K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European75.2%
Māori10.1%
Asian9.5%
Pacific Peoples3.6%
MELAA1.6%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Health Care and Social Assistance354
Education and Training324
Public Administration and Safety204
SCHOOLS (3)
Avg EQI423
Total Students809
State2
State : Integrated1
Balmacewen IntermediateIntermediate · State · EQI 425 · 472 students
Wakari SchoolContributing · State · EQI 440 · 279 students
St Mary's School (Dunedin)Contributing · State : Integrated · EQI 403 · 58 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile6/10
NZDep Score997
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023