world.wikisort.org - New_Zealand

Waitati, originally known as Waitete,[4][5] is a small seaside settlement in Otago, New Zealand, within the city limits of Dunedin. It is located close to the tidal mudflats of Blueskin Bay, 19 kilometres north of the Dunedin city centre. The small Waitati River flows through the bay to the sea.

Waitati Waitete
Town
Coordinates: 45°45′S 170°34′E
Country	New Zealand
Island	South Island
Region	Otago
Government
• Regional council	Otago Regional Council
• Territorial authority	Dunedin City Council
• Community board	Waikouaiti Coast Community Board[1]
Area [2]
• Total	2.69 km2 (1.04 sq mi)
Population  (2018 census)[3]
• Total	573
• Density	210/km2 (550/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)
Area code	03
Local iwi	Ngāi Tahu

The Dunedin–Waitati Highway section of State Highway 1, formerly and colloquially called Dunedin Northern Motorway, ends at Waitati; the highway continues north from here at a slightly lower grade of construction with more frequent intersections and accesses. Three km to the north, the highway ascends the notorious Kilmog hill. The Main South Line railway curves from east to north through Waitati. The old station yard remains as a train crossing loop and parts of the old station building are used by rail maintenance workers.

Waitati is home to a branch of the Dunedin Public Libraries, Blueskin Nurseries, a local school, a cafe and general store, and several holiday homes.

Demographics

Waitati-Doctors Point is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 2.69 km² (1.04 sq mi),[2] and is part of the much larger Mount Cargill statistical area.[6]

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	501	—
2013	513	+0.34%
2018	573	+2.24%
Source: [3]

Waitati had a population of 573 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (11.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 72 people (14.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 231 households. There were 276 males and 297 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.93 males per female, with 120 people (20.9%) aged under 15 years, 51 (8.9%) aged 15 to 29, 327 (57.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 72 (12.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.1% European/Pākehā, 12.6% Māori, 1.6% Pacific peoples, 2.6% Asian, and 5.8% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 61.3% had no religion, 24.1% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 1.0% were Buddhist and 6.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 201 (44.4%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 45 (9.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 225 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 78 (17.2%) were part-time, and 18 (4.0%) were unemployed.[3]

Alternative lifestylers and activism

For many years Waitati has been known for its appeal to those who pursue an alternative lifestyle. The Waitati Militia, a mock combat group, was founded here,[7][8] and the village featured in the history of the Values Party, Mushroom magazine and anti Vietnam war and Aramoana aluminium smelter protests,[9] as well as the development in New Zealand of environmental education.[10]

Waitati has no sewerage system, and has become a centre in New Zealand for the development of composting toilets and other alternative sewage disposal systems.[10] Some villagers are edible garden and alternative energy enthusiasts.[10]

Waitati has become an arrival point for German immigrants to New Zealand and has a high proportion of Germans and German-New Zealanders.^{[citation needed]}

The Orokonui Ecosanctuary wildlife sanctuary is set in an area of native bush here. Doctors Point Beach is a sandy southern beach that is home to a breed of blue penguins and other wildlife.

Waitati Film Society screens films every second Tuesday night during most of the year (every Tuesday night in the middle of winter).

Waitati is part of New Zealand's "Transition Towns initiatives",[11] initiative, using some Transition Towns techniques and patterns for energy descent.

Education

Waitati School is a full primary school serving years 1 to 8,[12] with a roll of 86 students as at July 2022.[13] The school's history dates back to 1864.[14]

Notable residents

Former Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei lives in Waitati.[15]

References

Media related to Waitati at Wikimedia Commons

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