{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Waitati | native_name = Waitete | type = Town | image_skyline = | image_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_caption = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | coordinates = {{coord|45|45|S|170|34|E|region:NZ-OTA|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type2 = Island | subdivision_name2 = [[South Island]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Otago]] | subdivision_type4 = City | subdivision_name4 = [[Dunedin]] | subdivision_type5 = [[Community boards in New Zealand|Community board]] | subdivision_name5 = Waikouaiti Coast Community Board<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 Waikouaiti Coast Community Board Boundary |url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/543512/Waikouaiti-Coast-Community-2016.pdf |website=dunedin.govt.nz |publisher=[[Dunedin City Council]] |access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref> | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|[[Dunedin (New Zealand electorate)|Dunedin]]|[[Te Tai Tonga]] (Māori)}} | leader_title = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]] | leader_name = [[Dunedin City Council]] | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = [[Otago Regional Council]] | leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Dunedin]] | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Dunedin City Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Dunedin (New Zealand electorate)|Dunedin MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Dunedin MP|y}} | leader_title4 = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]] | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Waitati-Doctors Point|y}} | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | area_total_km2 = 2.69 | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | timezone1 = NZST | utc_offset1 = +12 | timezone1_DST = NZDT | utc_offset1_DST = +13 | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 03 | blank_name = Local [[iwi]] | blank_info = [[Ngāi Tahu]] }} '''Waitati''', from the [[Māori language|Māori]] '''Waitete''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waitati |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/waitati |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129154558/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/waitati |archive-date=2021-11-29 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=New Zealand History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Doctors Point Beach |url=http://hiddenotago.co.nz/adventure/dunedin/doctorspoint.html |website=Hidden Otago |access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref> is a small seaside settlement in [[Otago]], New Zealand, within the city limits of [[Dunedin]]. It is located close to the tidal mudflats of [[Blueskin Bay]], 19 kilometres north of the Dunedin city centre. The small [[Waitati River]] flows through the bay to the sea.
The [[Dunedin-Waitati Highway|Dunedin–Waitati Highway]] section of [[New Zealand State Highway 1|State Highway 1]], formerly and colloquially called ''Dunedin Northern Motorway'', ends at Waitati; the highway continues north from here at a slightly lower grade of construction with more frequent intersections and accesses. Three km to the north, the highway ascends the notorious [[Kilmog]] hill. The [[Main South Line]] [[railway]] curves from east to north through Waitati. The old station yard remains as a train crossing loop and parts of the old station building are used by rail maintenance workers.
Waitati is home to a branch of the Dunedin Public Libraries, Blueskin Nurseries, [https://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/waitati-school-05-03-2019/#about-the-school a local school], a cafe and general store, and several holiday homes.
==Demographics== Waitati-Doctors Point is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers {{Convert|2.69|km2||abbr=on}},<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=28 December 2021|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Waitati-Doctors Point|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Waitati-Doctors Point|y}}|R}}/2.69|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. It is part of the much larger [[Mount Cargill#Demographics|Mount Cargill statistical area]].<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|mount-cargill|Mount Cargill}}</ref>
{{Historical populations|2006|501|2013|513|2018|573|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}} Waitati had a population of 573 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 60 people (11.7%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 72 people (14.4%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 231 households, comprising 276 males and 297 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.93 males per female, with 120 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 51 (8.9%) aged 15 to 29, 327 (57.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 72 (12.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.1% European/[[Pākehā]], 12.6% [[Māori people|Māori]], 1.6% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 2.6% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 5.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 61.3% had no religion, 24.1% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.6% had [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.5% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 1.0% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 4.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 201 (44.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 45 (9.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 93 people (20.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 225 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 78 (17.2%) were part-time, and 18 (4.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7028235 and 7028238–7028240}}</ref>
==Alternative lifestylers and activism== [[File:Waitati War Memorial 781.JPG|thumb|upright|Waitati war memorial commemorating fallen World War I soldiers]] For many years Waitati has been known for its appeal to those who pursue an [[alternative lifestyle]]. The Waitati Militia, a [[mock combat]] group, was founded here,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/waitati-still-crazy-after-all-these-years/|title=Waitati – Still crazy after all these years?|first=Kirsten|last=Lawson|publisher=New Zealand Geographic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/summer-times/close-country|title=Close By in the Country|newspaper=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=8 January 2018|first=John|last=Gibb}}</ref> and the village featured in the history of the [[Values Party]], ''[[Mushroom (magazine)|Mushroom]]'' magazine and anti [[Vietnam War]] and [[Aramoana]] [[aluminium]] [[smelter]] protests,<ref name="days">Ian Church ''Blueskin Days ''Waitati 2007</ref> as well as the development in New Zealand of [[environmental education]].<ref name="Starsus">'Sustainable Waitati' in ''[[Allied Press|The Star]] '', Dunedin, 27 September 2007</ref>
Waitati has no [[sanitary sewer|sewerage]] system, and has become a centre in New Zealand for the development of [[composting toilet]]s and other alternative [[sewage disposal]] systems.<ref name="Starsus"/> Some villagers are edible garden and [[alternative energy]] enthusiasts.<ref name="Starsus"/>
Waitati has become an arrival point for German immigrants to New Zealand and has a high proportion of Germans and [[German New Zealanders]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2007}}
The [[Orokonui Ecosanctuary]] wildlife sanctuary is set in an area of native bush here. [[Doctors Point]] Beach is a sandy southern beach that is home to a breed of [[Little Penguin|blue penguins]] and other wildlife.
Waitati Film Society screens films every second Tuesday night during most of the year (every Tuesday night in the middle of winter).
Waitati is part of New Zealand's "Transition Towns initiatives",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz| title=Transition Towns| access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref> initiative, using some [[Transition Towns]] techniques and patterns for [[energy descent]].
==Education== Waitati School is a full primary school serving years 1 to 8,<ref>{{TKI|3857|Waitati School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3857|y}} students as at {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The school's history dates back to 1864.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://waitati.wordpress.com/news-from-waitati-school/about-our-school/ |title=About Our School |publisher=Waitati School |access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Te Whare Wānanga marae.jpg|thumb|Te Whare Wananga, the marae at Waitati.]]
Te Whare Wānanga is a [[marae]] in Waitati managed by Te Whānau o Arohanui Trust where (as well as many other community activities) courses in [[social work]] are taught in association with [[Otago Polytechnic]].<ref>[https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers/results.do?frameworkId=75362®ionCode=150 Courses in Otago] on [[NZQA]] website, retrieved 2025-06-13</ref>
== Notable residents == Former [[Green Party of Aotearoa/New Zealand|Green Party]] co-leader [[Metiria Turei]] lives in Waitati.<ref>{{cite news|title=Metiria opens the doors to her castle - and THAT wardrobe|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11195535|date=2 February 2014|newspaper=[[New Zealand Herald]] }}</ref>
==References== {{Commons category inline|Waitati}} {{Reflist}}
{{Dunedin suburbs}} [[Category:Localities in the Dunedin City territory]] [[Category:German-New Zealand culture]]