Wakari facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wakari
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Suburb
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 Wakari
Location in New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Dunedin |
| Area | |
| • Land | 221 ha (546 acre) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 4,300 |
  Wakari  |
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Wakari (pronounced wah-kah-ree) is a neighborhood in the New Zealand city of Dunedin. It is located about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) northwest of the city center. Wakari sits west of a ridge that runs near the city's heart.
This suburb is north of the upper Kaikorai Valley and the Kaikorai neighborhood. To the southeast and east, you'll find the suburbs of Roslyn and Maori Hill on the ridge. Halfway Bush is to the northwest, and the smaller area of Helensburgh is to the north.
The name Wakari comes from the Māori word "Whakaari." This means "exposed to view." Whakaari is also the Māori name for Flagstaff hill, which is about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) northwest of Wakari. Some local people say the name as "wy-kar-ree."
Contents
Exploring Wakari: Roads and Key Places
Wakari is bordered on its south side by Taieri Road. This is a major road that connects central Dunedin to the Taieri Plains. West of Halfway Bush, this road becomes Three Mile Hill Road. It crosses a hill to reach the Taieri Plain, northeast of Mosgiel.
Southeast of Wakari, Taieri Road goes under the Roslyn Overbridge. It then changes into Stuart Street, which is one of central Dunedin's main streets. Other important roads in and around Wakari include Balmacewen Road, Helensburgh Road, Nairn Street, and Shetland Street.
What Important Buildings Are in Wakari?
One of the most well-known buildings in Wakari is the Wakari Hospital. This is a key healthcare center in Dunedin. It specializes in mental health services. The hospital is located in the western part of the suburb, close to Halfway Bush.
The Arai te Uru Marae is also found in Wakari. A marae is a special meeting ground for the Māori community. This marae belongs to the Ngāi Tahu iwi (tribe). It includes the Arai te Uru wharenui, which is a traditional meeting house. The marae is right next to Balmacewen Intermediate School.
Who Lives in Wakari? A Look at the Population
Wakari covers an area of 2.21 square kilometers (0.85 square miles). As of 2023, it has an estimated population of 4,300. This means there are about 1946 people living in each square kilometer.
How Has the Population Changed Over Time?
At the 2018 New Zealand census, Wakari had 4,098 residents. This was an increase of 276 people (7.2%) since the 2013 census. It was also an increase of 405 people (11.0%) since the 2006 census.
There were 1,725 households in Wakari in 2018. The population included 1,929 males and 2,169 females. The average age was 37.3 years. About 19.0% of the people were under 15 years old.
What About Different Backgrounds and Beliefs?
The census also showed the different ethnic groups living in Wakari. About 85.3% of residents were European/Pākehā. Around 9.6% were Māori, 2.9% were Pasifika, and 8.8% were Asian. Some people identified with more than one ethnic group.
About 19.4% of the people in Wakari were born outside New Zealand. This is lower than the national average of 27.1%.
When it came to religion, 56.3% of people said they had no religion. About 32.2% were Christian. Smaller numbers followed other religions like Hindu, Muslim, or Buddhist.
Education and Jobs in Wakari
For those aged 15 and older, 30.0% had a university degree or higher. About 14.8% had no formal qualifications. The average income was $31,000.
Regarding jobs, 49.0% of people aged 15 and over worked full-time. Another 15.9% worked part-time.
Learning in Wakari: Local Schools
Wakari has several schools for young people. All these schools are co-educational, meaning both boys and girls attend.
- Wakari School is a primary school for students in Year 1 to Year 6. It first opened in 1858.
- St Mary's School is a Catholic primary school for Year 1 to Year 6 students. It began in St Mary's Church in 1913.
- Balmacewen Intermediate is an intermediate school for Year 7 and Year 8 students. It opened in 1964.
From 1878 to 1883, a boys' school called St Aloysius College was located in Wakari. This school was run by the Jesuits. Today, a golf course (Balmacewen Course) is on the site where the school once stood. The 10th hole of the golf course is still called "the monastery."
