Waikaka

Waikaka
Town
Coordinates: 45°55′S 169°01′E / 45.917°S 169.017°E / -45.917; 169.017
Country	New Zealand
Region	Southland region
Territorial authorities of New Zealand	Gore District
Ward	Waikaka Ward
Electorates	Southland Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Government
• Territorial authority	Gore District Council
• Regional council	Southland Regional Council
• Mayor of Gore	Ben Bell
• Southland MP	Joseph Mooney
• Te Tai Tonga MP	Tākuta Ferris
Area [1]
• Total	21.20 km2 (8.19 sq mi)
Population  (2018 Census)[2]
• Total	117
• Density	5.5/km2 (14/sq mi)

Waikaka is a town in Southland, New Zealand. It was a gold-mining town in the 19th century, starting in 1867 when gold was found. Over NZ£1,000,000 equivalent of gold was eventually extracted from this location.^[3] The town was served by the Waikaka branch railway.

Waikaka is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 21.20 km² (8.19 sq mi).^[1] The SA1 area is part of the larger Waikaka statistical area.

The SA1 statistical area had a population of 117 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 15 people (−11.4%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 15 people (−11.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 48 households, comprising 63 males and 57 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.11 males per female. The median age was 46.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (20.5%) aged under 15 years, 18 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 57 (48.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (17.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 97.4% European/Pākehā, 2.6% Māori, and 5.1% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 41.0% had no religion, 43.6% were Christian, and 5.1% were Hindu.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (12.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 21 (22.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 12 people (12.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 54 (58.1%) people were employed full-time, and 21 (22.6%) were part-time.^[2]

Waikaka statistical area covers 586.75 km² (226.55 sq mi)^[1] and also includes Chatton and Mandeville. It had an estimated population of 1,680 as of June 2024,^[4] with a population density of 2.9 people per km².

The statistical area had a population of 1,560 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (0.4%) since the 2013 census, and unchanged since the 2006 census. There were 582 households, comprising 840 males and 717 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 39.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 348 people (22.3%) aged under 15 years, 252 (16.2%) aged 15 to 29, 762 (48.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 192 (12.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.0% European/Pākehā, 6.0% Māori, 0.4% Pasifika, 7.5% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 12.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 42.1% had no religion, 47.5% were Christian, 1.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 195 (16.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 246 (20.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $41,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 198 people (16.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 771 (63.6%) people were employed full-time, 216 (17.8%) were part-time, and 15 (1.2%) were unemployed.^[5]

Waikaka School is a full primary school for years 1 to 8^[6] with a roll of 67 students as of August 2024.^[7] The school opened in 1883.^[8]