Waikaka

NZDep 3
Pop 1,536Median age 39Gore District

Waikaka is a small community in Southland with a population of 1,536 and a median age of 39. Median personal income is $47K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Waikaka is $220 (220 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 24% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Waikaka: NZDep decile 3 (low deprivation (affluent)); 4 schools with avg EQI 442.

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

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability24% Affordable
School QualityEQI 442 Average
DeprivationDecile 3 Low
Development-100% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$220
House Rent /wk$220
Rent-to-Income24.2%
Lodgements12
1/07/2020
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,536
Median Age39
Household Size
Personal Income$47K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European84.6%
Māori7.8%
Asian6.5%
Pacific Peoples0.7%
MELAA0.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing450
Manufacturing69
Retail Trade51
SCHOOLS (4)
Avg EQI442
Total Students185
State4
Waikaka SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 430 · 61 students
Pukerau SchoolContributing · State · EQI 439 · 55 students
Knapdale SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 455 · 53 students
Otama SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 442 · 16 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile3/10
NZDep Score948
Low deprivation — among the least deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023