# Waitati

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Town in New Zealand

Waitati Waitete Town Interactive map of Waitati Coordinates: 45°45′S 170°34′E / 45.750°S 170.567°E / -45.750; 170.567 Country New Zealand Island South Island Region Otago City Dunedin Community board Waikouaiti Coast Community Board[1] Electorates Dunedin Te Tai Tonga (Māori) Government • Territorial authority Dunedin City Council • Regional council Otago Regional Council • Mayor of Dunedin Sophie Barker[2] • Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking • Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris[3] Area [5] • Total 2.69 km2 (1.04 sq mi) Population (June 2025)[4] • Total 590 • Density 220/km2 (570/sq mi) Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT) Area code 03 Local iwi Ngāi Tahu

**Waitati**, from the [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_language) **Waitete**,[6][7] is a small seaside settlement in [Otago](/source/Otago), New Zealand, within the city limits of [Dunedin](/source/Dunedin). It is located close to the tidal mudflats of [Blueskin Bay](/source/Blueskin_Bay), 19 kilometres north of the Dunedin city centre. The small [Waitati River](/source/Waitati_River) flows through the bay to the sea.

The [Dunedin–Waitati Highway](/source/Dunedin-Waitati_Highway) section of [State Highway 1](/source/New_Zealand_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](/source/Kilmog) hill. The [Main South Line](/source/Main_South_Line) [railway](/source/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, [a local school](https://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/waitati-school-05-03-2019/#about-the-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 2.69 km2 (1.04 sq mi),[5] and had an estimated population of 590 as of June 2025,[4] with a population density of 219 people per km2. It is part of the much larger [Mount Cargill statistical area](/source/Mount_Cargill#Demographics).[8]

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2006 501 — 2013 513 +0.34% 2018 573 +2.24% Source: [9]

Waitati had a population of 573 at the [2018 New Zealand census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 60 people (11.7%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 72 people (14.4%) since the [2006 census](/source/2006_New_Zealand_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](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81), 12.6% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), 1.6% [Pasifika](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders), 2.6% [Asian](/source/Asian_New_Zealanders), 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 [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand), 1.6% had [Māori religious beliefs](/source/Religion_of_M%C4%81ori_people), 0.5% were [Hindu](/source/Hinduism_in_New_Zealand), 1.0% were [Buddhist](/source/Buddhism_in_New_Zealand) 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.[9]

## Alternative lifestylers and activism

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](/source/Alternative_lifestyle). The Waitati Militia, a [mock combat](/source/Mock_combat) group, was founded here,[10][11] and the village featured in the history of the [Values Party](/source/Values_Party), *[Mushroom](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mushroom_(magazine)&action=edit&redlink=1)* magazine and anti [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War) and [Aramoana](/source/Aramoana) [aluminium](/source/Aluminium) [smelter](/source/Smelter) protests,[12] as well as the development in New Zealand of [environmental education](/source/Environmental_education).[13]

Waitati has no [sewerage](/source/Sanitary_sewer) system, and has become a centre in New Zealand for the development of [composting toilets](/source/Composting_toilet) and other alternative [sewage disposal](/source/Sewage_disposal) systems.[13] Some villagers are edible garden and [alternative energy](/source/Alternative_energy) enthusiasts.[13]

Waitati has become an arrival point for German immigrants to New Zealand and has a high proportion of Germans and [German New Zealanders](/source/German_New_Zealanders).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The [Orokonui Ecosanctuary](/source/Orokonui_Ecosanctuary) wildlife sanctuary is set in an area of native bush here. [Doctors Point](/source/Doctors_Point) Beach is a sandy southern beach that is home to a breed of [blue penguins](/source/Little_Penguin) 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",[14] initiative, using some [Transition Towns](/source/Transition_Towns) techniques and patterns for [energy descent](/source/Energy_descent).

## Education

Waitati School is a full primary school serving years 1 to 8,[15] with a roll of 50 students as at March 2026.[16] The school's history dates back to 1864.[17]

Te Whare Wananga, the marae at Waitati.

Te Whare Wānanga is a [marae](/source/Marae) in Waitati managed by Te Whānau o Arohanui Trust where (as well as many other community activities) courses in [social work](/source/Social_work) are taught in association with [Otago Polytechnic](/source/Otago_Polytechnic).[18]

## Notable residents

Former [Green Party](/source/Green_Party_of_Aotearoa%2FNew_Zealand) co-leader [Metiria Turei](/source/Metiria_Turei) lives in Waitati.[19]

## References

Media related to [Waitati](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Waitati) at Wikimedia Commons

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["2016 Waikouaiti Coast Community Board Boundary"](https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/543512/Waikouaiti-Coast-Community-2016.pdf) (PDF). *dunedin.govt.nz*. [Dunedin City Council](/source/Dunedin_City_Council). Retrieved 2 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-S_Barker_2-0)** ["2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result"](https://www.electionz.com/LGE2025Results/ELT71DC25_Result.pdf) (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Te Tai Tonga – Official Result"](https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-71.html). [Electoral Commission](/source/Electoral_Commission_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 23 February 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2018_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NZ_population_data_2018_4-1) ["Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/?fs%5b0%5d=Society%2C1%7CPopulation%20estimates%23CAT_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23%7CSubnational%20population%20estimates%23CAT_SUBNATIONAL_POPULATION_ESTIMATES%23&pg=0&bp=true&snb=10&isAvailabilityDisabled=false). [Statistics New Zealand](/source/Statistics_New_Zealand). Retrieved 29 October 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Area_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Area_5-1) ["ArcGIS Web Application"](https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787). *statsnz.maps.arcgis.com*. Retrieved 28 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Waitati"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211129154558/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/waitati). *New Zealand History*. Archived from [the original](https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/waitati) on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Doctors Point Beach"](http://hiddenotago.co.nz/adventure/dunedin/doctorspoint.html). *Hidden Otago*. Retrieved 20 February 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [2018 Census place summary: Mount Cargill](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/mount-cargill)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2018_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2018_9-1) ["Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census"](https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/statistical-area-1-dataset-for-2018-census-updated-march-2020). Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7028235 and 7028238–7028240.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Lawson, Kirsten. ["Waitati – Still crazy after all these years?"](https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/waitati-still-crazy-after-all-these-years/). New Zealand Geographic.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Gibb, John (8 January 2018). ["Close By in the Country"](https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/summer-times/close-country). *[Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-days_12-0)** Ian Church *Blueskin Days*Waitati 2007

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Starsus_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Starsus_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Starsus_13-2) 'Sustainable Waitati' in *[The Star](/source/Allied_Press)*, Dunedin, 27 September 2007

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Transition Towns"](http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz). Retrieved 20 February 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Waitati School - Education Counts"](https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=3857). *www.educationcounts.govt.nz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NZ_school_roll_data_16-0)** ["New Zealand Schools Directory"](https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/data-services/directories/list-of-nz-schools). New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["About Our School"](https://waitati.wordpress.com/news-from-waitati-school/about-our-school/). Waitati School. Retrieved 28 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Courses in Otago](https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers/results.do?frameworkId=75362&regionCode=150) on [NZQA](/source/NZQA) website, retrieved 2025-06-13

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Metiria opens the doors to her castle - and THAT wardrobe"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11195535). *[New Zealand Herald](/source/New_Zealand_Herald)*. 2 February 2014.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Waitati](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waitati) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waitati?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.