Waikawa, Marlborough

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Waikawa
Waikawa Bay and marina
Waikawa Bay and marina
Interactive map of Waikawa
Coordinates: 41°16′11″S 174°2′29″E / 41.26972°S 174.04139°E / -41.26972; 174.04139
CountryNew Zealand
RegionMarlborough
Ward
  • Marlborough Sounds General Ward
  • Marlborough Māori Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityMarlborough District Council
 • Marlborough District MayorNadine Taylor[1]
 • Kaikōura MPStuart Smith[2]
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris[3]
Area
[4]
 • Total
4.32 km2 (1.67 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[5]
 • Total
1,700
 • Density390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)

Waikawa is a small settlement to the north east of Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand. Waikawa Bay opens onto Queen Charlotte Sound.[6][7]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "bitter water" for Waikawa.[8]

Waikawa is an important New Zealand tourist destination because its large marina acts as gateway to the Marlborough Sounds and famous treks (hikes) such as the Queen Charlotte Track.

Waikawa is host to Waikawa Marina which is one of the largest marinas in New Zealand. Waikawa Marina hosts 600 yacht berths and 70 individual lock-up boatsheds. The marina offers a typical range of modern on-site marine services, supplies, and facilities. These facilities include a café/bar and accommodation.

Waikawa Bay, Marlborough

Demographics

Waikawa covers 4.32 km2 (1.67 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 1,700 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 394 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,119—    
20131,371+2.94%
20181,542+2.38%
20231,659+1.47%
The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 3.86 km2.
Source: [9][10]

Waikawa had a population of 1,659 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 117 people (7.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 288 people (21.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 819 males, 837 females, and 3 people of other genders in 726 dwellings.[11] 1.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 58.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 213 people (12.8%) aged under 15 years, 144 (8.7%) aged 15 to 29, 678 (40.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 624 (37.6%) aged 65 or older.[9]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.1% European (Pākehā); 17.2% Māori; 1.1% Pasifika; 2.4% Asian; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 4.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.4%, Māori by 4.3%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 6.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.1% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 20.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]

Religious affiliations were 30.7% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.2% Islam, 1.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.2% New Age, and 1.3% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.0%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.[9]

Of those at least 15 years old, 258 (17.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 837 (57.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 357 (24.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 141 people (9.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 570 (39.4%) full-time, 201 (13.9%) part-time, and 21 (1.5%) unemployed.[9]

Education

Waikawa Bay School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 139 students as of March 2026.[12][13]

Waikawa Pa School was a native school, opened in 1877.[14] It burnt down in 1928. Waikawa Bay School opened in 1929, with a temporary school in the interim.[15]

References

  1. "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  2. "Kaikōura - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  3. "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  4. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  5. "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 61. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
  7. Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 133, 139. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  8. "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  9. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Waikawa (Marlborough District) (306701). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waikawa (Marlborough District) (306700). 2018 Census place summary: Waikawa (Marlborough District)
  11. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  12. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  13. "Waikawa Bay School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  14. McIntosh, Alister; Redman, William Edward; Allen, William Raymond, eds. (1940). Marlborough: A Provincial History. Blenheim: Marlborough Provincial Historical Committee. p. 345.
  15. "General Info". Waikawa Bay School. Retrieved 15 May 2026.