Waitaki District Statistical Profile
General population, economic, employment, housing and education statistics
Population
2006 – The 2006 Population Census recorded a resident population of 20,220 in
Waitaki District – a 0.7% increase on the 2001 usually-resident total. While this was
markedly smaller growth than the 7.8% national increase, it followed a 6.9%
decrease in population in the district between the 1996 and 2001 censuses.
Usually-resident population of Waitaki District area units,
1996, 2001 and 2006
1996
2001
2006
Maheno
3,807 3,573 3,705
Oamaru North
3,240 3,192 3,156
Oamaru South
3,084 2,892 2,892
Oamaru Central
2,679 2,505 2,520
Orana Park
2,754 2,499 2,367
Palmerston
903
807
804
Weston
732
708
762
Waihemo
717
633
675
Aviemore
627
540
663
Ardgowan
462
459
501
Kakanui
429
414
414
Kurow
414
387
339
Hampden
309
303
297
Cape Wanbrow
258
261
291
Omarama
357
279
231
Pukeuri
204
183
192
Otematata
360
243
189
Duntroon
120
120
114
Nenthorn
111
96
93
Inland Water-Lake Ohau
0
0
12
Inlet-Port Oamaru
0
0
6
Total
21,573 20,088 20,223
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
The 21 area units making up Waitaki District are listed above in numerical order,
along with their 1996 and 2001 usually-resident totals. In 2006, Maheno continued to
hold the title of most populous area unit, increasing its population to a little over 3,700
residents. That was followed by Oamaru North, Oamaru South and Oamaru Central.
The largest numerical growth between 2001 and 2006 occurred in Maheno (130) and
Aviemore (120), Weston (50) and Waihemo and Ardgowan (40 each). Aviemore
recorded the largest proportionate growth of 23%, followed by Cape Wanbrow (11%)
and Ardgowan (9%).
2008 – The latest estimate from Statistics New Zealand is that in mid-2008, the
resident population of Waitaki District stood at 20,700.
2011, 2021 and 2031 – Statistics New Zealand projects that Waitaki’s population will
decrease over the next few decades, to 20,200 by 2011, 19,000 in 2021, and 17,400
in 2031.1
Sex
In 2006, females made up 51% of Waitaki District’s population, outnumbering males
by around 370. Males outnumbered females by around 240 in the 10-24 year age
group, but in most other age bands females were in the majority. The largest
difference occurred among the district’s oldest residents, with women aged 65 years
and over outnumbering their male counterparts by around 460.
Ethnic diversity
Waitaki District’s population is far less ethnically diverse than the country as a whole.
At the 2006 Census, 84% of the district’s residents identified as “European” – a
considerably higher proportion than the 68% nationally. In addition, the proportion of
people specifying “New Zealander” as their ethnic group was slightly larger than
average (13% compared with 11% nationwide).
Ethnic group (excluding 'European' and 'New Zealander'), 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of
resident population
16
All New Zealand
14
Waitaki District
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Maori
Asian
Pacific Peoples
Other
Ethnic group
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Compared with their national proportions, all other ethnic groups had much smaller
representation in Waitaki2. Māori made up just 6% of residents compared with 15%
nationwide. Asian ethnic groups and Pacific peoples made up 2% and 1%
respectively compared with 9% and 7% across New Zealand, and other smaller
ethnic groups were scarcely present in the district while making up 1% of the resident
population nationally.
Waitaki’s youth population is slightly more ethnically diverse than the district as a
whole. Around 9% of 12-14 and 15-19 year-olds, and 8% of 20-24 year-olds
identified as Māori at the 2006 Census. Around 4% of 15-19 year-olds identified as
belonging to an Asian ethnic group, and 2% of that age group and 20-24 year-olds
were Pacific peoples.
Overseas born
1
These population projections assume medium rates of fertility, mortality and migration.
Percentages total more than 100 because an individual can identify with more than one ethnic group
and all are counted.
2
In 2006, just 10% of Waitaki’s residents were overseas born compared with 23%
nationally. New Zealand’s most common overseas birthplace – the UK and Ireland –
accounted for 5% of the district’s residents (7% nationally). Asia and the Pacific
Islands each accounted for 1% compared with a little under 7% and 4% respectively
nationwide.
Age groups
The age distribution of Waitaki’s population is different from the national pattern. At
the 2006 Census, the district’s residents had a median age of 44 years compared
with 35 across New Zealand. People under the age of 45 were under-represented in
the district, particularly young adults aged 15-29 years. That age group accounted for
just 13% of the population compared with 20% nationally. Conversely, older people
were over-represented in Waitaki. The largest difference between the district and the
country as a whole occurred among 60-74 year-olds, who made up 17% of the
Waitaki population compared with 11% nationwide.
Age distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of
resident population
25
All New Zealand
Waitaki District
20
15
10
5
0
0-14
15-29
30-44
45-59
60-74
75+
Age group (years)
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
The 2006 Census recorded around 3,820 children under the age of 15 years living in
Waitaki District:
 1,110 children under 5 years
 1,290 aged 5 - 9, and
 1,420 aged 10 - 14.
Families
In 2006, Waitaki District was home to around 5,710 families3 living in private
dwellings, of which around 2,210 (39%) contained dependent children. The district’s
older population was reflected in the distribution of family types.
Couples without children were by far the most numerous family type in the district.
At 3,000 families, they made up 53% of the total compared with just 40% nationally.
Maheno contained the largest number of this type of family (560), followed by
Oamaru North (460), Oamaru South (450), Oamaru Central (340) and Orana Park
In the Census, a family is defined by the presence, in one household, of a “family nucleus” (a couple,
or parent(s) and child(ren)). Child dependency is not a component of the definition. This means that a
90 year-old woman living with her 60 year-old daughter, who does not have children of her own in the
same household, would be classified as “one parent with children”.
3
(310). Palmerston and Weston were respectively home to 120 and 110 couples
without children.
Families by type, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of families
60
All New Zealand
Waitaki District
50
40
30
20
10
0
Couple w ithout children
Couple w ith child(ren)
One parent w ith child(ren)
Family type
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Couples with children numbered around 2,030 (including 1,710 with dependent
children). They made up 35% of all families in the district compared with 42%
nationwide. Couples with children were most numerous in Maheno (460), Oamaru
South (280), Oamaru North (270), Oamaru Central (230) and Orana Park (200).
Weston was home to almost 100 couples with children and Aviemore to 90.
Sole-parent families numbered 680 and made up just 12% of Waitaki’s families
(18% nationwide). In 2006, they included 495 with dependent children. Sole-parent
families were most likely to live in Oamaru North (140), Orana Park (110), Oamaru
South and Oamaru Central (100 each), and Maheno (80).
Families by type and main area units, 2006:
Waitaki District
Area unit
Ardgow an
One parent w ith child(ren)
Palmerston
Couple w ith child(ren)
Couple w ithout children
Waihemo
Aviemore
Weston
Orana Park
Oamaru Central
Oamaru North
Oamaru South
Maheno
0
100
200
300
400
500
Number of families
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Statistics New Zealand projects the number of couples without children in Waitaki
District to increase, reaching 3,300 in 2011 and then 3,400 by 2021. At that stage,
couples without children are likely to make up 65% of Waitaki families. In contrast,
600
two-parent families are projected to decrease in number, from 1,600 in 2011 to 1,100
by 2021. One-parent families are also expected to fall in number, from 700 in 2011 to
600 in 2021.
Household composition
In 2006, there were around 8,430 private households in Waitaki District. The
distribution of household types differed from nationally. Two-thirds (67%) were onefamily households (69% nationwide). Reflecting the older population of the district,
30% of households contained just one person (23% nationally). Other types of
household accounted for smaller proportions of the district’s total than nationally.
‘Other multi-person’ households (the majority of which would be flats containing
unrelated people) made up 3% of the total, while just 1% were two-family
households.
Economic Situation
Socio-economic deprivation
The NZDep2006 index of deprivation4 shows that, overall, Waitaki District is slightly
less socio-economically deprived than New Zealand as a whole. Across the country,
roughly equal numbers of people live in areas at each of the 10 levels of deprivation.
This means that at the time of the last Census, 50% of the New Zealand population
lived in decile 1 to 5 areas (the less deprived areas in the country). At that time,
areas in those deciles contained 55% of Waitaki’s population.
The profile below shows a clustering of Waitaki’s population in decile 2 areas and in
the middle of the deprivation scale. In 2006, 61% of the district’s population lived in
areas assessed as being deciles 4, 5, 6 or 7. Around 13% of the district’s residents
lived in the 20% least socio-economically deprived areas of the country (deciles 1
and 2), and 8% lived in the 20% most deprived (deciles 9 and 10).
NZDep profile of Waitaki District, 2006
Number of people
4,000
3,723
3,500
3,189
3,000
2,688
2,727
2,352
2,500
2,000
2,145
1,539
1,500
786
1,000
500
732
318
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Decile of deprivation
4
Salmond C, Crampton P, Atkinson J, NZDep 2006 Index of Deprivation. The NZDep2006 index of
deprivation was created from data from the 2006 Census of Population and Dwellings. The index
describes the deprivation experienced by groups of people in small areas. Nine deprivation variables
were used in the construction of the index, reflecting eight dimensions of deprivation. The variables
used were the proportions of people: aged 18-64 receiving a means-tested benefit; living in households
with income below an income threshold adjusted for household size; not living in own home; aged less
than 65 living in a single-parent family; aged 18-64 unemployed; aged 18-64 without any
qualifications; living in households below a bedroom occupancy threshold adjusted for household size;
with no access to a telephone; and with no access to a car.
Source: NZDep 2006 Index of Deprivation
Although the process of averaging can mask some substantial variation in
deprivation among small areas, it can be useful to look at average deprivation
statistics for census area units. In Waitaki District, three area units (Ardgowan, Cape
Wanbrow and Nenthorn) had an average deprivation score of 1, putting them among
the 10% least deprived areas in New Zealand. Another area unit (Pukeuri) was in
decile 2. At the other end of the scale, none of the district’s area units was assessed
as having average deprivation scores of 9 or 10 (ie as being among the 20% most
socio-economically deprived in the country). Oamaru North and Orana Park were
assessed as decile 8 and Oamaru Central as decile 7.
Personal income
In 2006, Waitaki District residents aged 15 years and over had a considerably lower
median personal income than New Zealanders as a whole ($19,700 compared with
$24,400). This resulted from a larger proportion than nationally having incomes of
$30,000 or less. In particular, Waitaki adults were much more likely than the adult
population nationally to have incomes between $10,001 and $20,000 (31%
compared with 22%).
Just 18% of Waitaki residents aged 15 and over reported incomes above $40,000
(27% nationwide). The largest percentage point gap at this higher end of the income
scale occurred among those with incomes between $50,001 and $70,000 (6%
compared with 10% nationally). Proportionately, the largest gap occurred among
people with incomes over $70,000 (4% of Waitaki adults compared with 8%
nationwide).
Personal income distribution, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of people
aged 15 years
and over
35
All New Zealand
30
Waitaki District
25
20
15
10
5
0
$10,000
and under
$10,001$20,000
$20,001$30,000
$30,001$40,000
$40,001$50,000
$50,001$70,000
$70,001$100,000
$100,001
and over
Personal income
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
As might be expected, there is considerable variation in personal income across
Waitaki District. In 2006, just three area units had median personal incomes higher
than the national median: Omarama ($28,200), Aviemore ($26,700) and Ardgowan
($25,900). The district’s lowest median incomes were recorded in Hampden
($14,200), Otematata ($16,700), Oamaru North and Palmerston ($17,500), and
Kurow ($17,800).
Family income
The distribution of family income in Waitaki follows a different pattern from nationally.
In 2006, families in the district had a median income of $46,100 compared with
$59,000 across New Zealand. The 9% of Waitaki families with incomes of $20,000 or
less was similar to nationally, but larger-than-average proportions of the district’s
families reported incomes between $20,001 and $70,000. Conversely, smaller-thanaverage proportions had incomes above $70,000. The difference was largest among
families receiving more than $100,000 (10% compared with 21% nationwide).
In 2006, Waitaki District area units showed a wide variation in family incomes. The
highest median family incomes were recorded in Omarama ($57,500), Cape
Wanbrow ($55,000), Ardgowan ($54,800), Waihemo ($53,900) and Aviemore
($52,900). By far the district’s lowest median family income was recorded in
Hampden ($26,300). That was followed by Otematata ($38,300), Kakanui ($40,300)
and Oamaru North ($40,900).
Distribution of family income, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of families
30
All New Zealand
25
Waitaki District
20
15
10
5
0
$20,000
or less
$20,001 $30,000
$30,001 $50,000
$50,001 $70,000
$70,001 $100,000
$100,001
or more
Family income
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Income support
People aged 65 years and over
At the end of October 2009, around 4,120 Waitaki District residents5 aged 65 years
and over were in receipt of New Zealand Superannuation.6 That number was around
80 higher than two years earlier. Of those New Zealand Superannuitants in 2009,
almost 1,200 were also receiving a Disability Allowance and around 140 were in
receipt of an Accommodation Supplement.
People aged 20 to 64 years
At the end of October 2009, around 1,440 Waitaki District residents aged 20-64 years
were in receipt of some form of income support. The largest client groups among this
age group in the district were:
5
The statistics included in this section have been produced by the geocoding of MSD client addresses.
The figures represent all clients who lived within Waitaki District boundaries at the end of October
2007, 2008 or 2009. This method of assigning a geographic location to a client based on their address
is different from the method used to produce figures for many of the other LSM reports. These earlier
reports relied on identifying service centres within territorial authority boundaries and assigning a
geographic location to clients with claims managed in those relevant service centres.
6
New Zealand Superannuation is not income tested for recipients aged 65 years and over.
Supplementary benefits (eg Accommodation Supplement, Disability Allowance) are, however, subject
to an income test, so their receipt indicates clients with low incomes.

around 470 Invalid’s Beneficiaries (32% of the total) – a fall of just over 60
over the previous two years
almost 250 DPB Sole Parent7 recipients (17%) – around the same number as
in October 2007
close to 200 Sickness Benefit8 recipients (14%) – around 40 more than in
both 2007 and 2008
around 180 Unemployment Benefit9 recipients (13%) – a large increase of
almost 100 on the number in 2007. This reflects a recent increase in
unemployment nationwide.
around 130 Non Beneficiaries10 (9%) – a drop of around a dozen on the
number in 2007 but around a dozen more than in 2008
around 120 New Zealand Superannuitants11 (9%) – a fall of around 20 over
the number two years earlier.





Income support recipients aged 20-64 years by main benefit type,
end of October 2007, 2008 and 2009: Waitaki District
Number
600
2007
2008
500
2009
400
300
200
100
0
Invalid's Benefit
DPB Sole Parent
Sickness Benefit
Unemployment Benefit
Non Beneficiary
New Zealand
Superannuation
Type of benefit
Source: Ministry of Social Development
At the end of October 2009, Waitaki’s income support recipients aged 20-64 years
were responsible for around 720 children, of whom around 430 lived in families
receiving the DPB Sole Parent8. Of those DPB recipients with children:
 43% had youngest children aged under 5 years
 24% had youngest children aged 5 to 9 years
 17% had youngest children aged between 10 and 13 years, and
 16% had youngest children aged 14 and over.
People aged under 20 years
At the end of October 2009, 75 Waitaki District teenagers were receiving some form
of income support, including supplementary benefits. That figure was two dozen
higher than in 2007. Around one-fifth of the income support recipients aged under 20
7
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
9
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
10
Non Beneficiaries are low-income people who are not receiving an income-tested benefit or a
pension from Work and Income, but who do receive a Work and Income supplementary benefit (eg an
Accommodation Supplement, a Childcare Subsidy).
11
Individuals under the age of 65 years whose spouse qualifies for New Zealand Superannuation by
meeting the age and residency criteria may be eligible to receive New Zealand Superannuation as a
‘non-qualified spouse’.
8
(16 teenagers) were receiving the Unemployment Benefit.12 In 2007 and 2008 there
were next to no teenagers receiving that benefit. Fifteen were in receipt of the
Invalid’s Benefit, while the Independent Youth Benefit, the DPB Sole Parent13 and the
Sickness Benefit14 each had around 10 recipients.
Between them, Waitaki District’s teenage income support recipients had around a
dozen children in October 2009, almost all of whom were in families receiving the
DPB Sole Parent13.
Household facilities
In 2006, the percentages of Waitaki households with access to a telephone, the
Internet, or a vehicle were as follows:
 92% had a telephone, the same proportion as nationally
 71% had access to a cell phone or mobile phone (74% nationally)
 just 52% had Internet access (61% nationwide), and
 92% had access to a motor vehicle, the same as across the country.
The youngest of Waitaki’s youth age groups were more likely than their counterparts
across the country to live in households with access to the Internet. In 2006, 76% of
the district’s 12-14 year-olds and 70% of 15-19 year-olds had Internet access at
home (71% and 68% nationally). However, just 47% of 20-24 year-olds had Internet
access in their households compared with 61% nationwide.
Educational qualifications
The distribution of educational qualifications across Waitaki District’s population aged
15 years or over is different from nationally. In 2006:
 more than one-third (36%) of the district’s residents had no formal educational
qualification (25% nationally)
 32% stated school qualifications as their highest educational attainment (35%
nationwide)
 24% held post-school certificates or diplomas, the same proportion as
nationally
 just 6% had a bachelor’s degree or other level 7 qualification (11% across the
country as a whole), and
 2% held post-graduate qualifications (5% nationally).
12
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
14
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
13
Percent of residents
aged 15 years and over
Highest educational qualification, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
40
All New Zealand
35
Waitaki District
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
No qualification
School
qualification
Post-school
certificate
or diploma
Bachelor Degree
Post-graduate
Highest educational qualification
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Employment
At the time of the 2006 Census, around 10,000 Waitaki District residents were
employed. This was 62% of the population aged 15 and over (65% nationally). Just
under three-quarters (74%) of the district’s employed residents worked full time (77%
nationally).
The 2006 Census recorded 3.1% of the Waitaki District labour force as unemployed,
a lower proportion than the 5.1% national average at the time. In March 2006, this
equated to 320 people unemployed in the district.
Waitaki’s youth were considerably more likely to be employed than their counterparts
across the country. More than one-quarter (28%) of the district’s 15-19 year-olds
were employed full time and 32% were employed part-time. Nationally, the
proportions were 21% and 26%. Around 70% of Waitaki 20-24 year-olds were
employed full time and another 9% part time, compared with 53% and 16%
nationwide.
Occupation
The distribution of occupations across Waitaki District’s employed residents reflects
the rural nature of the territorial authority. Compared with New Zealand as a whole,
Waitaki has fewer professionals, clerical and administrative workers, and sales
workers among its employed residents but more labourers, managers and machinery
operators and drivers. At the 2006 Census:
 labourers and managers – the latter category being the one to which farmers
are now allocated – were the two largest occupation groups in the district’s
population, each making up 21% of all employed compared with 12% and
18% respectively across the country
 technicians and trades workers made up 13% both locally and nationally
 professionals accounted for just 11% of the district’s employed compared with
20% across New Zealand
 clerical and administrative workers and sales workers both made up 9% of all
employed (13% and 10% respectively nationwide)
 community and personal service workers accounted for 8% of all employed
both locally and nationally
 machinery operators and drivers made up 7% of Waitaki’s employed (6%
nationwide).
Distribution of occupations, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of
employed residents
25
All New Zealand
Waitaki District
20
15
10
5
0
Managers
Professionals
Technicians
and trades
w orkers
Community and
personal
service
w orkers
Clerical and
administrative
w orkers
Sales w orkers
Machinery
operators and
drivers
Labourers
Occupation type
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Waitaki’s 15-19 year-olds were most likely to be employed as labourers (34% of all
employed in that age group), sales workers (25%), technicians and trades workers
(12%) and managers (10%). The pattern of employment among 20-24 year-olds was
slightly different: labourers (29% of all employed in that age group), technicians and
trades workers (20%), managers (12%) and sales workers (11%).
Industry
The 2006 Census showed the importance of primary industry to Waitaki District.
Around 20% of the district’s employed residents worked in “agriculture, forestry and
fishing” (nearly three times the 7% nationally). The manufacturing industry also
employed a larger proportion of the district’s residents than nationally (17%
compared with 12%).
Waitaki’s other main industries were around as important to the district as they were
nationally: the retail trade employed 11% of all working residents, health care and
social assistance employed 8%, the construction industry was also responsible for
8%, accommodation and food services employed 7%, and education and training
employed 6%.
Main industries for employment, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Industry
Waitaki District
Education and training
All New Zealand
Accommodation and
food services
Construction
Health care and
social assistance
Retail trade
Manufacturing
Agriculture, forestry
and fishing
0
5
10
15
Percent of employed people
20
25
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
The importance of agriculture to Waitaki also showed in youth employment. In 2006,
the main industries employing 15-19 year-old residents of the district were the retail
trade (22% of all employed in that age group), agriculture, forestry and fishing (21%),
accommodation and food services (17%) and manufacturing (13%). Residents aged
20-24 years were most likely to be employed in manufacturing (22% of all workers
that age), agriculture, forestry and fishing (20%), the retail trade (13%),
accommodation and food services (9%) and construction (8%).
In February 2008, Waitaki District contained 2,811 separate “operating units”
engaged in economic activity. More than one-third (36%) of these were in primary
industry, followed by rental, hiring and real estate (18%), and construction (9%).
Location of work
In the 2006 Census, around 7,560 employed Waitaki District residents (94% of those
who gave an identifiable workplace address) lived and worked in the same district.
Dunedin City was the next most popular work location, absorbing 2% of the district’s
employed residents. Much smaller proportions (less than 1%) worked in Christchurch
City and Waimate and Timaru Districts.
Main locations of employment for Waitaki District residents, 2006
Location of employment
Number of
Waitaki District
residents employed
Waitaki District
7,563
Dunedin City
198
Christchurch City
42
Waimate District
42
Timaru District
39
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
In 2006, 8,150 people were employed within Waitaki District’s boundaries. As well as
the 7,560 workers sourced locally, Waitaki attracted 190 workers from Dunedin City,
150 from Waimate District, and a few dozen from each of Timaru District,
Christchurch City and Mackenzie District.
Travel to work
As was the case with workers across New Zealand, driving a private vehicle was by
far the single most popular way for Waitaki District residents to travel to work on
Census day 2006. Just under half (47%) of employed Waitaki residents, and 51% of
workers nationwide, drove a private vehicle to their workplace. Around 15% of
workers in Waitaki worked at home – a reflection of the importance of farming to the
district (9% nationally). Another 10% drove a work vehicle, 7% walked or jogged and
5% were passengers in vehicles.
Main means of travel to work, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of
all employed
60
All New Zealand
50
Waitaki District
40
30
20
10
0
Drove a private car,
truck or van
Worked at home
Did not go to w ork on
Census Day
Drove a company car,
truck or van
Walked or jogged
Passenger in a car,
truck, van or company
bus
Main means of travel to work
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Hours of work
At the 2006 Census, the pattern of hours worked by Waitaki District residents was
somewhat different from that of all employed across the country. Firstly, Waitaki
residents were slightly more likely to work part time than all workers (25% of workers
living in the district and 22% across New Zealand worked fewer than 30 hours per
week).
Secondly, full-time workers in the district tended to work longer hours. While the
proportion of employed people in Waitaki working between 30 and 39 hours was
similar to nationally, at 12%, a considerably smaller proportion than nationally worked
between 40 and 49 hours (35% compared with 43%). There was little difference in
the proportion working between 50 and 59 hours (13%). However, working weeks of
60 hours or more were considerably more common in Waitaki than nationally (16% of
all employed compared with 10%). This is likely to result from the importance of
agriculture as an employing industry and the longer hours of work experienced by
many people on the land.
Hours of work per week, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of
employed residents
45
All New Zealand
40
Waitaki District
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
Hours of work per week
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Housing
Tenure
40-49
50-59
60 or more
Waitaki District has a higher home ownership rate than the country as a whole. In
2006, the district was home to around 8,430 households living in private dwellings.
The Census found that 60% of households owned the dwelling in which they lived,
compared with 55% nationwide, and another 14% had their homes held in family
trusts (12% nationally). The remaining 26% of Waitaki households did not own their
dwelling – a considerably lower proportion than the 33% across the country.
Household tenure, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of households
70
All New Zealand
60
Waitaki District
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ow ned
Not ow ned
Held in family trust
Household tenure
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Sector of landlord
As is the situation around the country, renters in Waitaki are reliant on the private
sector for the large majority of rented homes in the district. At the 2006 Census, 85%
of the district’s rented properties were owned privately compared with 82% nationally.
Just 7% were Housing New Zealand Corporation properties – a much smaller
proportion than the 13% nationwide. Another 5% of rented properties were owned by
the district council (3% nationally), and the final 2% were owned by other government
agencies.
State housing
At the end of 2008, Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) managed 124
properties in Waitaki District. The Oamaru North area unit contained 98 of those
properties (79% of the district’s total State housing stock). Oamaru Central had 16
and the remaining ten were divided between Orana Park, Oamaru South and
Palmerston. Three-bedroom properties made up 49% of the district’s State housing,
with another 35% having two bedrooms.
Rents
The 2006 Census showed that rents in Waitaki District were considerably lower than
the country as a whole. The district recorded a mean weekly rent of $140 compared
with $225 nationally, and a median weekly rent of $130 ($201 across the country).
Tenancy Services data for the six months ending September 2009 shows that threebedroom houses are by far the most popular type of rental property in the district.
Between April and September 2009, the average weekly rent for a property of that
type in Waitaki District was $222. Nationally, across all three-bedroom houses for
which bonds were received over the six months, weekly rent averaged $321. Twobedroom houses were the second most common property type rented in Waitaki.
They averaged $191 in weekly rent over the six months compared with $270
nationally.
Accommodation Supplement (AS)
At the end of October 2009, almost 1,040 Waitaki District residents15 were being paid
the Accommodation Supplement – an increase of around 120 on the number paid
two years earlier. In 2009, the main groups of Accommodation Supplement recipients
were:

around 230 Invalid’s Beneficiaries (22% of all Accommodation Supplement
recipients in the district) – around 30 fewer than two years earlier
just over 200 DPB Sole Parent recipients16 (19%) – a similar number to that in
2007 and 2008
almost 150 Unemployment Beneficiaries17 (14%) – almost 110 more than in
2007 or 2008. This reflects a recent large increase in unemployment across
the country.
just over 140 Sickness Beneficiaries18 (14%) – around 50 more than in 2007
around 140 New Zealand Superannuitants (14%) – little changed over each
of the two previous years
almost 120 Non Beneficiaries (11%) – a similar number to that in 2007 but
around 15 more than in 2008.





Accommodation Supplement recipients by main benefit received,
end of October 2007, 2008 and 2009: Waitaki District
Number
300
2007
250
2008
2009
200
150
100
50
0
Invalid's Benefit
DPB Sole Parent
Unemployment Benefit
Sickness Benefit
New Zealand
Superannuation
Non Beneficiary
Type of benefit
Source: Ministry of Social Development
In October 2009, 5% of the Accommodation Supplement recipients in Waitaki District
were under the age of 20 years, 81% were aged 20-64 years, and 14% were aged 65
or over. Six in every ten AS recipients (60%) were in rented accommodation, 21%
owned their own home and 19% were boarding.
15
The statistics included in this section have been produced by the geocoding of MSD client addresses.
The figures represent all clients who lived within Waitaki District boundaries at the end of October
2007, 2008 or 2009. This method of assigning a geographic location to a client based on their address
is different from the method used to produce figures for many of the other LSM reports. These earlier
reports relied on identifying service centres within territorial authority boundaries and assigning a
geographic location to clients with claims managed in those relevant service centres.
16
Includes DPB Sole Parent and Emergency Maintenance Allowance
17
Includes Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Benefit Hardship
18
Includes Sickness Benefit and Sickness Benefit Hardship
Education
Early Childhood Education
At 1 July 2008, there were 650 children19 on the regular rolls of licensed early
childhood education service providers in Waitaki District. Excluding the small number
of enrolments of 5 year-olds, this was 56% of the estimated number of children aged
0 to 4 years – a smaller proportion than the 59% across New Zealand.
At each single year of age, the proportion of Waitaki District children regularly
enrolled in early childhood education was lower than nationally. The differences
between local and national proportions were largest among the youngest children (1
year-olds and those under 1). As was the case nationally, children aged 3 and 4
made up the bulk of early childhood education enrolments (33% and 36%
respectively in Waitaki compared with 30% and 32% and across New Zealand). In
Waitaki, enrolments of 3 year-olds equated to 90% of the estimated number of
children that age living in the district in mid-2008 (93% nationally). An estimated 98%
of 4 year-olds were enrolled (99% nationally).
Proportion of children enrolled in early childhood education by age, as at 1 July 2008:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of children
120
All New Zealand
Waitaki District
100
80
60
40
20
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
Age (years)
Source: Ministry of Education
In mid-2008, early childhood education in Waitaki District was provided through four
types of service:
 four education and care centres20 were responsible for 39% of the district’s
enrolments (a considerably smaller proportion than the 55% nationally)
 three free kindergartens accounted for 26% of enrolments (23% nationwide)
 five Playcentres between them had 23% of the district’s enrolments (almost
three times the 8% nationally), and
 one homebased network was responsible for the final 11% of enrolments (7%
across New Zealand).
19
Early childhood education statistics count enrolments and not children. It is possible for one child to
be enrolled in two services at the same time and be counted twice.
20
Education and Care Centres provide either sessional, all-day, or flexible hour programmes for
children from birth to school age. They can be privately owned, non-profit making, or operated as an
adjunct to the main purpose of a business or organisation.
Early childhood education enrolments by type of service, as at 1 July 2008:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Percent of enrolments
60
All New Zealand
Waitaki District
50
40
30
20
10
0
Education and care service
Free kindergarten
Playcentre
Homebased netw ork
Type of service
Source: Ministry of Education
Waitaki District schools
Waitaki District contains 14 full primary schools, five contributing schools (offering
education up to intermediate school), one intermediate school, and four secondary
schools offering education up to year 15. In July 2008, the roll totals of these schools
were as follows.
Number of Waitaki District schools by type and rolls, July 2008
School type
Full primary
Contributing
Intermediate
Secondary
Number of
schools
14
5
1
4
Years
1–8
1–6
7–8
7 or 9 – 15
Roll
1,034
801
281
1,611
3,727
Source: Ministry of Education
For funding purposes the Ministry of Education attaches a decile rating21 to each
school. This indicates the extent to which a school draws its students from low socioeconomic communities. Decile 1 schools are the 10% of schools with the highest
proportion of students from low socio-economic communities, whereas decile 10
schools are the 10% of schools with the lowest proportion of these students.
In July 2008, no Waitaki District schools were in decile 1 or decile 2 (i.e. among the
20% of New Zealand schools with the highest proportions of students from low socioeconomic communities). Just one school was assessed as decile 3 and two as decile
4. At the other end of the scale, two schools were in decile 10. Between them, those
two schools (assessed as among the 10% of New Zealand schools with the lowest
proportions of students from low socio-economic communities) had just 4% of the
district’s students on their rolls. The overwhelming majority of Waitaki students (87%)
were enrolled at schools assessed as deciles 4, 5, 6 or 7.
21
From 1 January 2005, five factors have been used in determining a school's socio-economic
indicator: household income, parents' occupations, household crowding, parents' educational
qualifications, and parents receiving income support. These are based on families with school-age
children within the catchment area of the school.
Truancy
In August 2006, the Ministry of Education surveyed all state and state integrated
schools to capture student attendance and absence over one week.22 The survey
showed that Waitaki District has a considerably lower truancy rate than the country
as a whole. All types of school in the survey (primary, contributing, intermediate and
secondary schools offering year 7-15 and 9-15 education) recorded lower truancy
rates in Waitaki than nationally. The largest difference between local and national
rates was recorded in secondary schools offering year 9-15 eduction – a 2.2%
truancy rate in Waitaki District compared with 9.2% nationwide. Overall, Waitaki
District had a truancy rate of just 1.5% (considerably less than the national average
of 4.1%).
Truancy, 2006:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
Truancy rate (%)
10
All New Zealand
9
Waitaki District
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Full primary
Contributing
Intermediate
Secondary (year 7-15)
Secondary (year 9-15)
Total
Type of school
Source: Ministry of Education
Stand downs and suspensions
Schools have a variety of methods available to deal with student behaviour, and
stand downs and suspensions are just two of the choices available. Both are seen as
a last resort when other options have proved unsuccessful, and only a small number
of schools in any territorial authority stand down or suspend students in any one
year.
From 2000 to 2008, the number of stand downs from Waitaki District schools
fluctuated markedly – from a low of just over 50 in 2002 to around 110 in 2008. In all
nine years the district’s stand down rate was below the national rate, although in
2008 the two rates drew very close (28 stand down cases per 1,000 students in
Waitaki compared with 29 per 1,000 across the country). Over the nine years from
2000 to 2008, the most common reasons for stand downs in Waitaki District were
physical assault on other students (29%), continual disobedience (27%) and verbal
assault on staff (17%).
22
The survey achieved a 91% response rate among schools, representing 92% of the student
population in all state and state integrated schools. During the week under study, schools classified
absences into justified, unjustified and intermittent unjustified. Truancy was defined as the sum of the
last two categories, and a truancy rate was calculated as the average (mean) daily unjustified absence
for the week per 100 students.
The number of suspensions is generally far lower than stand downs. From 2000 to
2008, Waitaki schools had between around 20 and 40 suspension cases each year.
The highest total was 41 in 2000 (a rate of 10 suspension cases per 1,000 students
compared with seven per 1,000 nationally). The lowest total of 21 was recorded in
2008 (producing a rate of five suspension cases per 1,000 students compared with
the national rate of six per 1,000). Continual disobedience (33%), drugs (20%),
physical assault on other students (16%) and alcohol (12%) were the four main
reasons for suspension.
Exclusions and expulsions
Following a suspension, a school’s Board of Trustees can lift the suspension (with or
without conditions), extend the suspension (with conditions), or terminate the
student's enrolment at the school. If the student is aged under 16, the board may
decide to exclude him or her from the school, with the requirement that the student
enrols elsewhere. If the student is aged 16 or over, the board may decide to expel
him or her from the school, and the student may enrol at another school.
In the nine years from 2000 to 2008, cases of exclusion from Waitaki District schools
ranged from four in 2004 to 14 in 2000. Continual disobedience was the main reason
for exclusion, followed by drugs and physical assault on other students or staff.
Expulsions are much rarer, with none at all being recorded across Waitaki District in
some years. In other years the total was fewer than five.
School leavers with little or no formal attainment23
In all of the years from 1993 to 2008, the proportion of students leaving Waitaki
District secondary schools with little or no formal attainment was lower than the
national average. In a few of those years, the gap was only 1 or 2 percentage points
but in most years the difference was substantial, especially during the 1990s and
between 2002 and 2006.
In the last couple of years, both the country as a whole and Waitaki District recorded
the smallest proportions of the 16-year period. In 2007, 2% of the district’s school
leavers had little or no formal attainment compared with 5% nationally. In 2008 the
Waitaki figure rose slightly to 3.5% while the national figure went to a little over 5%.
Percent of
school leavers
Students leaving secondary school with little or no formal attainment, 1993-2008:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
25
All New Zealand
Waitaki District
20
15
10
5
0
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
Source: Ministry of Education
23
Since the introduction of NCEA, this has included people with fewer than 14 credits NCEA Level 1,
2 or 3.
Early leaving exemptions
In each of the years from 2000 to 2008, the number of early leaving exemptions
granted to students from schools in Waitaki District averaged around a dozen.
Attendance at a training provider course was the main reason students were
exempted, followed by full-time employment and enrolment in polytechnic courses.
Tertiary destinations
In each of the years from 2000 to 2007, the proportion of students who left a Waitaki
District secondary school and went straight on to tertiary training the following year
exceeded the national average. In all but one of those years the difference between
the local and national proportions was substantial. Most recently, 84% of the students
who left Waitaki schools in 2007 went straight on to enrol in tertiary education and
training the following year, compared with 53% nationally.
Percent of previous
year's school leavers
Previous year's school leavers enrolling in tertiary study, 2001-2008:
All New Zealand and Waitaki District
120
All New Zealand
Waitaki District
100
80
60
40
20
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
Source: Ministry of Education
Waitaki school leavers who head straight into tertiary education tend to make slightly
different choices to students nationally. Nationwide, between 2001 and 2008, the
largest proportions of first-year tertiary enrolments by people who left school the year
before were at universities (48%), followed by polytechnics (32%) and private training
establishments (18%). The first-year tertiary enrolments of Waitaki school leavers
reflected a different pattern, with polytechnics and institutes of technology claiming
52%, universities 32%, and private training establishments 13%. Over the eight
years, colleges of education attracted 3% while only a couple of enrolments went to
wānanga.
Particular tertiary institutions stood out as attracting students from schools in Waitaki
District. Of the 1,150 first-year polytechnic / institute of technology enrolments by
young people who left Waitaki schools between 2000 and 2007, 43% were at Otago
Polytechnic, 31% were at Aoraki Polytechnic and 9% were at Telford Rural
Polytechnic. Of the 680 first-year university enrolments by Waitaki District school
leavers over the eight years, two-thirds (66%) were at the University of Otago, and
14% went to each of Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury.