Research & Insights
Effective community action starts with good information.
Stronger Waitaki works with community organisations, rūnanga, government agencies, and local partners to better understand what's happening in our district and what matters most to the people who live here. This page brings together research and insights that can support planning, funding applications, advocacy, service delivery, and collaborative action across the Stronger Waitaki network.
Explore some of our latest research and insights below.
2026 Waitaki Housing Needs Analysis
Developed in collaboration with Stronger Waitaki network members, the Housing Needs Analysis for Waitaki provides an up-to-date picture of housing need across our district. Drawing on the latest available data and community insights, the report explores housing affordability, housing quality, demographic change, homelessness, and other forms of housing vulnerability.
The findings highlight a housing system under growing pressure. Median rents increased by 47% between 2020 and 2025, renting in Waitaki is now less affordable than Auckland when local incomes are taken into account, and homelessness increased by 60% between 2018 and 2023. The report also identifies a growing mismatch between the types of homes available and the changing needs of Waitaki households.
Download the report and accompanying one-page summaries to learn more about housing need in Waitaki.