Waitati

Waitati
Waitete
Town
Coordinates: 45°45′S 170°34′E / 45.750°S 170.567°E / -45.750; 170.567
CountryNew Zealand
IslandSouth Island
RegionOtago
CityDunedin
Community boardWaikouaiti Coast Community Board
Electorates
Government
  Territorial authorityDunedin City Council
  Regional councilOtago Regional Council
  Mayor of DunedinJules Radich
  Dunedin MPRachel Brooking
  Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
  Total
2.69 km2 (1.04 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)
  Total
610
  Density230/km2 (590/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Waitati, from the Māori Waitete, 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.

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.