Waimate District | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Waimate district in theSouth Island | |
| Coordinates:44°35′42″S170°44′42″E / 44.595°S 170.745°E /-44.595; 170.745 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury Region |
| Wards |
|
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Craig Rowley[1] |
| • Territorial authority | Waimate District Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 3,582.19 km2 (1,383.09 sq mi) |
| • Land | 3,554.45 km2 (1,372.38 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[2] | |
• Total | 8,450 |
| • Density | 2.38/km2 (6.16/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) | |
| Postcode(s) | 7924, 7972, 7971, 7977, 7978, 7979, 7980, 7984, 7988, 7999, 9498 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Website | www |
Waimate District is aterritorial authority district located in theCanterbury Region of theSouth Island of New Zealand. The main town isWaimate, while there are many smaller rural communities dispersed throughout the area. Its boundary to the south is theWaitaki River, to the westLake Benmore and to the north-east thePareora River.
The district is administered by the Waimate District Council and regionally by theCanterbury Regional Council. John Coles, who was first elected as a councillor in 1994, was mayor from2004 to his retirement at the2013 local elections.[3]
The district is the only part of New Zealand whereBennett's wallabies are prolific, after their introduction from Australia in the 19th century. The animals are a mixed blessing locally, attracting tourists but being a farm pest, and culling measures have been taken in their slowly expanding territory.[4]
Waimate District covers 3,554.45 km2 (1,372.38 sq mi)[5] and had an estimated population of 8,450 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 2.4 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 7,209 | — |
| 2013 | 7,536 | +0.64% |
| 2018 | 7,815 | +0.73% |
| 2023 | 8,121 | +0.77% |
| Source:[6][7] | ||
Waimate District had a population of 8,121 in the2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 306 people (3.9%) since the2018 census, and an increase of 585 people (7.8%) since the2013 census. There were 4,107 males, 3,990 females and 21 people ofother genders in 3,483 dwellings.[8] 2.0% of people identified asLGBTIQ+. The median age was 47.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,374 people (16.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,131 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 3,663 (45.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,953 (24.0%) aged 65 or older.[7]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.4%European (Pākehā); 8.7%Māori; 1.5%Pasifika; 6.5%Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.8%, Māori language by 1.6%, Samoan by 0.1% and other languages by 6.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk).New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 33.5%Christian, 0.8%Hindu, 0.3%Islam, 0.2%Māori religious beliefs, 0.4%Buddhist, 0.5%New Age, and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they hadno religion were 54.1%, and 9.3% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 714 (10.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 3,780 (56.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 2,064 (30.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 426 people (6.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 3,273 (48.5%) people were employed full-time, 891 (13.2%) were part-time, and 111 (1.6%) were unemployed.[7]
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) | Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hakataramea-Waihaorunga | 2,172.40 | 933 | 0.43 | 369 | 37.8 years | $41,300[9] |
| Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi | 1,002.84 | 1,857 | 1.85 | 720 | 42.8 years | $46,000[10] |
| Lower Waihao | 281.57 | 1,119 | 3.97 | 459 | 36.0 years | $43,900[11] |
| Waimate | 97.63 | 4,209 | 43.11 | 1,935 | 55.0 years | $28,600[12] |
| New Zealand | 38.1 years | $41,500 |
Waimate, the district seat, is the only town in the district with a population over 1,000. It is home to 3,610 people, 42.7% of the district's population.[2]
Other settlements and localities in the district include the following:
|
|
Adjacent cities and districts | |
|---|---|
