Waitohi

The Waitohi statistical area includes Winchester and Milford Huts, and surrounds but does not include Temuka. It covers 371.78 km² (143.55 sq mi)^[2] and had an estimated population of 1,820 as of June 2025,^[3] with a population density of 4.9 people per km².

The statistical area had a population of 1,761 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (1.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 159 people (9.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 696 households, comprising 927 males and 834 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.11 males per female. The median age was 38.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 366 people (20.8%) aged under 15 years, 318 (18.1%) aged 15 to 29, 828 (47.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 249 (14.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 85.2% European/Pākehā, 12.6% Māori, 1.0% Pasifika, 6.5% Asian, and 4.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.8% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 1.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 186 (13.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 327 (23.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 204 people (14.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 789 (56.6%) people were employed full-time, 213 (15.3%) were part-time, and 33 (2.4%) were unemployed.^[4]

• Hurunui Horse Trecks, The Waitohi Wanderer
• Waitohi Cyclopedia of New Zealand, 1903