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Wakari, New Zealand

Otago · New Zealand

Wakari is a small town in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 4,410. Elevation: 712 ft (217 m). Average temperature: 53°F (12°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,410 Population 20/sq mi density
712 ft Elevation 217 meters
53°F Avg Temperature 12°C
34.8 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$24,780 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$24,780 median income, 4.7% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$182,000 home value, $910/mo rent

Discover Wakari, 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 Wakari

Wakari

Wakari is a residential suburb of the New Zealand city of Dunedin. It is located 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) to the northwest of the city centre, immediately to the west of the ridge which runs to the west of the city's centre. Wakari lies to the north of the upper reaches of the Kaikorai Valley, and is also north of the suburb of Kaikorai. The suburbs of Roslyn and Maori Hill are situated on the ridge immediately to the southeast and east of Wakari. The suburb of Halfway Bush lies to the northwest, and the smaller suburb of Helensburgh lies to the north.

People

Population4,410
Median Age38.5 yrs
Density20/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$24,780
Per Capita$24,780
Unemployment4.7%

Housing

C+
Home Value$182,000
Rent$910
Ownership66.4%
Housing Units1,764

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
Rain34.8 in/yr
Sunny Days283/yr
Elevation712 ft (217 m)
Population4,410
Population Density20 / sq mi
Elevation712 ft (217 m)
Coordinates-45.8484°, 170.4801°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceOtago
Average Temperature53°F (12°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Annual Precipitation34.8 inches (884 mm)
Annual Snowfall1.1 inches (3 cm)
Median Household Income$24,780
Median Age38.5 years

About Wakari

Wakari is a small town in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 4,410. The city sits at an elevation of 712 feet (217 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 53°F (12°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 45°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.8 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Wakari has a population of 4,410 with a density of 20 people per square mile, spread across 221.7 square miles. The median age is 38.5 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

4,410
Total Population
20
People / sq mi
38.5yrs
Median Age
1% below New Zealand avg
221.7mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Wakari vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Wakari is $24,780, which is 67% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $24,780 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $477, 67% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 4.7% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 406 business establishments.

Income: Wakari vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$24,780
67% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$24,780
Avg Weekly Wage$477

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.7%
31% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)406

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Wakari is $182,000, 35% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $910 (22% below the national average of $1,163). 66.4% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 1,764 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.3x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$182,000
35% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$910
22% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership66.4%
Owner-Occupied66.4%
Renter-Occupied33.6%
Housing Units1,764

Property Tax

Wakari experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 283 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 34.8 inches. The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 712 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)
Annual Average52.7°F
2% below New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Sunny Days283 days/yr

Geography

Elevation712 ft (217 m)
Area221.7 sq mi (574.3 km²)
Population Density20/sq mi
Coordinates-45.8484°N, 170.4801°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.8"
8% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 1.1"
Wettest Month (Mar) 3.43"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.17"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

14 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.8. Most recent: M3.3 on Jul 25, 2022.

Feb 8, 1998 42 km WNW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.8 97 km
Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 98 km
Feb 11, 2004 68 km WSW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.5 73 km
Jun 1, 2015 33 km WNW of Dunedin, New Zealand M4.3 31 km
May 21, 1999 62 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.3 148 km
Feb 6, 2011 19 km NNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.1 102 km
Jul 1, 2017 6 km NE of Cromwell, New Zealand M4.1 134 km
Oct 21, 2000 36 km ESE of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.0 94 km
May 3, 1994 24 km S of Dunedin, New Zealand M3.8 28 km
Jun 30, 2003 64 km SSE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.8 76 km
May 10, 2004 16 km WNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M3.7 120 km
Feb 24, 2006 45 km NE of Portobello, New Zealand M3.7 54 km
Jul 25, 2022 3 km ESE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.3 131 km
Jul 17, 2022 4 km SE of Cromwell, New Zealand M2.9 130 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1839 WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND Unknown - - 135 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 2.8 in Warmest
February 58°F (15°C) 2.5 in
March 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in Wettest
April 52°F (11°C) 2.5 in
May 47°F (8°C) 2.9 in
June 43°F (6°C) 2.8 in Coldest
July 45°F (7°C) 2.5 in
August 44°F (7°C) 2.2 in Driest
September 47°F (8°C) 2.2 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.8 in
November 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in
December 56°F (14°C) 3.2 in

Wakari has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in June to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 32.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (3.4") and August the driest (2.2").

View full weather details →

Radio Stations near Wakari

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Radio One 91FM community radio, disco MP3 128 kbps
Kiwi Folk Radio folk, local MP3 128 kbps

Museums in Wakari

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Dunedin Gasworks Museum
Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
Dunedin Public Art Gallery & Museum
Fort Taiaroa
Geology Museum
New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame
Olveston Historic Home
Otago Museum
Port Chalmers Maritime Museum
Taieri Historical Park
The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Libraries in Wakari

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Archives New Zealand0.0
Black Star Books0.0
Blueskin Bay Library0.0
Dunedin Public Library0.0
Hocken Collections0.0
L Block0.0
Mosgiel Library0.0
Northcroft Library and Study Centre0.0
South Dunedin Community Library0.0
University of Otago Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Wakari

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Otago Farmer's Market

Breweries in Wakari

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Steamer Basin

Stadiums & Teams in Wakari

TeamLeagueDivision

Airports Near Wakari

3 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Dunedin International AirportDUDMedium Airport
Balclutha Aerodrome-Small Airport
Taieri Aerodrome-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Wakari

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Flagstaff Community Church

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 Wakari

What is the population of Wakari?

Wakari has a population of 4,410 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 20 people per square mile, spread across 221.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 38.5 years.

Is Wakari expensive to live in?

The median household income is $24,780, 67% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $182,000 (35% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $910 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.3x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Wakari?

Wakari has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 45°F in July. The area receives 283 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 34.8 inches, with 1.1 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Wakari?

Wakari has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $477. There are 406 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Wakari?

The median home value in Wakari is $182,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $910. The homeownership rate is 66.4%.

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