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Waikawa, New Zealand

Marlborough · New Zealand

Waikawa is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand with a population of 1,720. Elevation: 115 ft (35 m). Average temperature: 56°F (13°C).

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,720 Population 132/sq mi density
115 ft Elevation 35 meters
56°F Avg Temperature 13°C
29.5 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$23,160 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$23,160 median income, 5.6% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$166,400 home value, $832/mo rent

Discover Waikawa, New Zealand

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Waikawa

Waikawa

Waikawa is a small settlement to the north east of Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand. Waikawa Bay opens onto Queen Charlotte Sound.

People

Population1,720
Median Age53.9 yrs
Density132/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$23,160
Per Capita$23,160
Unemployment5.6%

Housing

C+
Home Value$166,400
Rent$832
Ownership81.6%
Housing Units688

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)
Rain29.5 in/yr
Sunny Days298/yr
Elevation115 ft (35 m)
Population1,720
Population Density132 / sq mi
Elevation115 ft (35 m)
Coordinates-41.2667°, 174.0500°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceMarlborough
Average Temperature56°F (13°C)
January Average63°F (17°C)
July Average47°F (8°C)
Annual Precipitation29.5 inches (749 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.7 inches (2 cm)
Median Household Income$23,160
Median Age53.9 years

About Waikawa

Waikawa is a small town in New Zealand (Marlborough) with a population of 1,720. The city sits at an elevation of 115 feet (35 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 56°F (13°C). Temperatures range from 63°F in January to 47°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 29.5 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Waikawa has a population of 1,720 with a density of 132 people per square mile, spread across 13.1 square miles. The median age is 53.9 years, 39% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,720
Total Population
132
People / sq mi
53.9yrs
Median Age
39% above New Zealand avg
13.1mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Waikawa vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Waikawa is $23,160, which is 69% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $23,160 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $445, 69% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 158 business establishments.

Income: Waikawa vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$23,160
69% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$23,160
Avg Weekly Wage$445

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)158

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Waikawa is $166,400, 41% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $832 (28% below the national average of $1,163). 81.6% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 688 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.2x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$166,400
41% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$832
28% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership81.6%
Owner-Occupied81.6%
Renter-Occupied18.4%
Housing Units688

Property Tax

Waikawa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 47°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 298 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 29.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 115 feet.

Temperature

63°F Jan (17°C) 47°F Jul (8°C)
Annual Average55.6°F
3% above New Zealand avg
January Average63°F (17°C)
July Average47°F (8°C)
Sunny Days298 days/yr

Geography

Elevation115 ft (35 m)
Area13.1 sq mi (33.8 km²)
Population Density132/sq mi
Coordinates-41.2667°N, 174.0500°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.5"
22% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.7"
Wettest Month (Jul) 5.71"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.03"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,264 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 54 km
Aug 16, 2013 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 53 km
Jul 3, 2012 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand M6.3 141 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 124 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 47 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 53 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 50 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 48 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 25 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 89 km
Sep 8, 1991 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand M5.6 141 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 79 km
May 24, 2020 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand M5.6 125 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 56 km
Oct 6, 1990 24 km SW of Waipawa, New Zealand M5.5 114 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 43 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 49 km
Jun 9, 1991 38 km SSW of Patea, New Zealand M5.4 133 km
Mar 13, 2005 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 127 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 63 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1855 NORTHERN ISLAND Earthquake 11.0 m 79 km
1868 NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 3.0 m 148 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m 53 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m 54 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake 74 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 63°F (17°C) 3.9 in Warmest
February 61°F (16°C) 3.0 in Driest
March 59°F (15°C) 4.4 in
April 55°F (13°C) 5.6 in
May 50°F (10°C) 5.5 in
June 47°F (8°C) 4.5 in
July 47°F (8°C) 5.7 in Wettest
August 46°F (8°C) 5.6 in Coldest
September 49°F (10°C) 4.6 in
October 52°F (11°C) 4.8 in
November 55°F (13°C) 4.9 in
December 59°F (15°C) 3.8 in

Waikawa has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 46°F in August to 63°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 56.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.7") and February the driest (3.0").

View full weather details →

Schools in Waikawa

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Waikawa Bay School
View full schools details →

Museums in Waikawa

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Edwin Fox Maritime Museum
Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum

Libraries in Waikawa

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Marlborough Library0.0
Picton Library and Service Centre0.0

Hotels in Waikawa

4 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Bay of Many Coves Resort
Punga Cove Resort
Te Mahia Resort
The Lazy Fish Retreat

Restaurants in Waikawa

3 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Boating Club
Lochmara Lodge
The Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar

Golf Courses in Waikawa

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Nopera Golf Course

Breweries in Waikawa

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Moa Brewing Company

Airports Near Waikawa

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Woodbourne AirportBHEMedium Airport
Cape Campbell airstripSmall Airport
Omaka Blenheim AirportSmall Airport
Picton AerodromePCNSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Waikawa

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Picton Baptist Church

Explore Near Waikawa

Shipwrecks
1
Documented shipwreck sites from historical maritime records
View all →

Quick Facts

Timezone
Pacific/Auckland

🇳🇿 About New Zealand

Capital Wellington
Population 4,885,500
Area 268,680 km²
GDP (USD) $255,194,972,673
GDP per capita $49,076
HDI 0.939
Life expectancy 83.0 years
Internet users 96.2%
Urban population 83.9%
Currency NZD (Dollar)
Languages English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Calling code +64
TLD .nz
Driving side left

Public Holidays in New Zealand

23 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 2 Day after New Year's Day Day after New Year's Day
Jan 19 Wellington Anniversary Day Wellington Anniversary Day
Jan 26 Auckland Anniversary Day Auckland/Northland Anniversary Day
Feb 2 Nelson Anniversary Day Nelson Anniversary Day
Feb 6 Waitangi Day Waitangi Day
Mar 9 Taranaki Anniversary Day Taranaki Anniversary Day
Mar 23 Otago Anniversary Day Otago Anniversary Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 7 Southland Anniversary Day Southland Anniversary Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Jun 1 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Jul 10 Matariki Matariki
Sep 28 Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day Dominion Day
Oct 23 Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day
Oct 26 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 2 Marlborough Anniversary Day Marlborough Anniversary Day
Nov 13 Canterbury Anniversary Day Canterbury (North & Central) Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Chatham Islands Anniversary Day Chatham Islands Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Westland Anniversary Day Westland Anniversary Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 Boxing Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Waikawa

What is the population of Waikawa?

Waikawa has a population of 1,720 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 132 people per square mile, spread across 13.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 53.9 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Waikawa expensive to live in?

The median household income is $23,160, 69% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $166,400 (41% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $832 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.2x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Waikawa?

Waikawa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winter temperatures average 63°F in January, while summers reach an average of 47°F in July. The area receives 298 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 29.5 inches.

How is the job market in Waikawa?

The unemployment rate in Waikawa is 5.6%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $445. There are 158 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Waikawa?

The median home value in Waikawa is $166,400. For renters, the median monthly rent is $832. The homeownership rate is 81.6%.

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