Waimate District

Waimate District is a territorial authority district located in the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand. The main town is Waimate, while there are many smaller rural communities dispersed throughout the area. Its boundary to the south is the Waitaki River, to the west Lake Benmore and to the north-east the Pareora River.

The district is administered by the Waimate District Council and regionally by the Canterbury Regional Council. John Coles, who was first elected as a councillor in 1994, was mayor from 2004 to his retirement at the 2013 local elections.

The district is the only part of New Zealand where Bennett's wallabies are prolific, after their introduction from Australia in the 19th century. The animals are a mixed blessing locally, attracting tourists but being a farm pest, and culling measures have been taken in their slowly expanding territory.

Demographics
Waimate District covers 3554.45 km2 and had an estimated population of as of  with a population density of  people per km2.

Waimate District had a population of 8,121 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 306 people (3.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 585 people (7.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 3,987 dwellings. The median age was 47.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,371 people (16.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,131 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 3,660 (45.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,950 (24.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 88.4% European/Pākehā, 8.7% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 6.5% Asian, 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders, and 1.8% other. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Waimate District had a population of 7,815 at the 2018 New Zealand census. There were 3,291 households, comprising 3,963 males and 3,852 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.6% had no religion, 38.2% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 729 (11.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,749 (27.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 726 people (11.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 3,081 (47.7%) people were employed full-time, 966 (15.0%) were part-time, and 177 (2.7%) were unemployed.

Administrative divisions
Waimate, the district seat, is the only town in the district with a population over 1,000. It is home to people, 0/0*100% of the district's population.

Other settlements and localities in the district include the following:


 * Hakataramea-Waihaorunga Ward:
 * Hakataramea Sub-Division:
 * Cattle Creek
 * Hakataramea
 * Hakataramea Downs
 * Hakataramea Valley
 * Kinbrace
 * Maungatiro
 * Struan
 * Te Akatarawa
 * Waitangi
 * Waihaorunga Sub-Division:
 * Douglas
 * Elephant Hill
 * Ikawai
 * Kelceys Bush
 * Pentland Hills
 * Waihao Downs
 * Waihao Forks
 * Waihaorunga
 * Arno
 * Kapua
 * Kowhatu


 * Lower Waihao Ward:
 * Broad Gully
 * Dog Kennel
 * Glenavy
 * Grays Corner
 * Green Hills
 * Gum Tree Flat
 * Morven
 * Nukuroa
 * Pikes Point
 * Studholme
 * Tawai
 * Waikakahi
 * Willowbridge


 * Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi Ward:
 * Blue Cliffs
 * Esk Valley
 * Gordons Valley
 * Gunns Bush
 * Hook
 * Hook Bush
 * Hunter
 * Kohika
 * Lyalldale
 * Makikihi
 * Maungati
 * Otaio Gorge
 * Otaio
 * Saint Andrews
 * Southburn
 * Springbrook
 * Waiariari
 * Cup and Saucer Junction
 * Riverview


 * Waimate Ward:
 * Deep Creek
 * Maytown
 * Norton Reserve
 * Uretane
 * Waimate
 * Waituna
 * Te Waimate


 * Notes:


 * Legend:
 * bold - main town
 * bold & italics - minor town
 * normal text - locality
 * italics - minor locality