Waipā District | |
|---|---|
 Te Kawa from Kakepuku | |
 Waipā district within theNorth Island | |
| Coordinates:38°00′37″S175°19′33″E / 38.010278°S 175.325833°E /-38.010278; 175.325833 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| Wards | Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Cambridge Pirongia-Kakepuku Maungatautari Waipā (Māori) |
| Seat | Te Awamutu |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mike Pettit[1] |
| • Territorial authority | Waipa District Council |
| Area | |
| • Land | 1,470.08 km2 (567.60 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[3] | |
• Territorial | 62,200 |
| • Density | 42.3/km2 (110/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | |
| Area code | 07 |
| Website | Waipa District Council |
Waipā District (orWaipa District) is amunicipality in theWaikato region ofNew Zealand that is administered by theWaipā District Council. Its most populous town isCambridge. The seat of the council is at the second most populous town,Te Awamutu. The district is south and south-east of the city ofHamilton. It has five wards:Te Awamutu,Cambridge,Pirongia, Maungatautari and Kakepuku.
Although the official name remains Waipa District,[4] the council sought in 2020 a simpler means of changing to Waipā District, which is the orthographic form it uses.[5]
The District was formed from WaipaCounty Council and its town boroughs in 1989.[6] The county boundaries have varied since five ridings were formed in Waipa county in 1876:Newcastle,Hamilton,Mangapiko North and South,[7]Rangiaowhia,[8] and Pukekura.[9] In 1902, it covered 282 mi2 (730 km2) and had an additional riding, Tuhikaramea.[10]
In 1923, Waipa County covered 429 mi2 (1,110 km2) and had a population of 9,275, with 283 mi (455 km) ofgravel roads, 506 mi (814 km) of mud roads and 153 mi (246 km) of tracks.[11]
TheWaikato River forms much of the eastern boundary of the district, before it flows north-westward through the district, pastCambridge. TheWaipā River, the Waikato River's main tributary, flows northwards through the western part of the district;[12] the two rivers meet outside the district. The highest mountains areMount Pirongia in the west andMaungatautari in the east.
The region's economy is based largely ondairy farming andcereal production. The southeastern corner of the district includes thehydroelectric project atKarāpiro.
Waipā District covers 1,470.08 km2 (567.60 sq mi)[2] and had an estimated population of 62,200 as of June 2025,[3] with a population density of 42 people per km2. 22,700 people live in Cambridge and 13,950 in Te Awamutu.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 42,501 | — |
| 2013 | 46,668 | +1.35% |
| 2018 | 53,241 | +2.67% |
| 2023 | 58,686 | +1.97% |
| Source:[13][14] | ||
Waipā District had a population of 58,686 in the2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 5,445 people (10.2%) since the2018 census, and an increase of 12,018 people (25.8%) since the2013 census. There were 28,620 males, 29,886 females and 177 people ofother genders in 21,795 dwellings.[15] 2.4% of people identified asLGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 11,751 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 9,651 (16.4%) aged 15 to 29, 25,896 (44.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 11,388 (19.4%) aged 65 or older.[14]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.5%European (Pākehā); 15.9%Māori; 2.3%Pasifika; 6.1%Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.2%, Māori language by 3.4%, Samoan by 0.2% and other languages by 8.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.1% (e.g. too young to talk).New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 32.2%Christian, 0.9%Hindu, 0.3%Islam, 0.8%Māori religious beliefs, 0.5%Buddhist, 0.4%New Age, 0.1%Jewish, and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they hadno religion were 55.7%, and 7.8% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 7,965 (17.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 25,443 (54.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 10,878 (23.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $45,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6,432 people (13.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 24,564 (52.3%) people were employed full-time, 6,645 (14.2%) were part-time, and 891 (1.9%) were unemployed.[14]
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) | Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirongia-Kakepuku General Ward | 860.64 | 12,549 | 14.6 | 4,386 | 39.7 years | $50,500[16] |
| Cambridge General Ward | 83.33 | 23,556 | 282.7 | 9,009 | 43.2 years | $43,600[17] |
| Maungatautari General Ward | 471.96 | 5,229 | 11.1 | 1,869 | 40.7 years | $52,200[18] |
| Te Awamutu-Kihikihi General Ward | 54.15 | 17,352 | 320.4 | 6,534 | 39.0 years | $41,800[19] |
| New Zealand | 38.1 years | $41,500 |
Adjacent cities and districts | |
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