Waianiwa

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Waianiwa is a small town and census area in the Southland region on New Zealand’s South Island. It covers about 228.65 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 1,270 people as of June 2025, giving a population density of around 5.6 people per square kilometre.

Key facts:
- 2018 census: 1,170 people lived there, up from 1,038 in 2006
- Households: 417
- Gender (2018): 600 males and 570 females (sex ratio 1.05 males per female)
- Median age: 36.3 years
- Age mix: 23.6% under 15; 17.9% aged 15–29; 50.3% aged 30–64; 8.2% aged 65+
- Ethnicity: 84.6% European/Pākehā, 8.5% Māori, 11.5% Asian, 0.5% Pasifika, 2.1% other
- Born overseas: 17.7%
- Religion: 47.7% with no religion; 42.6% Christian; small numbers for other beliefs
- Education (people 15+): 16.4% with bachelor’s degree or higher; 18.1% with no formal qualifications
- Median income: $42,000; 19.1% earned over $70,000
- Employment (people 15+): 63.1% full-time; 18.5% part-time; 1.7% unemployed

Waianiwa School:
- A state full primary school for years 1–8
- Roll: 59 students (as of October 2025)
- Opened in 1863