- Est. Median Value
- $617K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $344/wk
- Safety Score
- 86/100
- Green Space
- 7%
- Current Weather
- 9.4°C
- Median Age
- 48 yrs
~39 crimes/1k/yr
overcast clouds
Living in Karitane
Karitane is the small coastal settlement south of Waikouaiti where the Waikouaiti River's final bend creates a lagoon, a beach and a sheltered harbour in a configuration that the whitebaiters, the summer campers and the Dunedin weekenders have been appreciating at different intensities since the settlement was established. Around 300 permanent residents keep the essential services operating year-round for the much larger summer population that arrives in caravans and baches with the conviction of people who discovered this coast first.
The place has the geography that coastal Otago delivers at its most concentrated: the river mouth on one side, the Pacific on the other, the headland at Huriawa Peninsula's end providing the archaeological and geological walk that makes the local excursion complete. Huriawa was a significant Māori defensive site, the terraced headland above the harbour still holding the earthworks of the pā that occupied this strategic position above the river and sea.
The famous Plunket nurse Frederic Truby King established his farm at Karitane in the early 20th century, founding the Plunket Society whose baby care philosophy shaped New Zealand parenting for most of the following century, a connection the community marks quietly.
Waikouaiti School is the local primary option; secondary schooling requires the Dunedin or Palmerston run.
Is Karitane a good place to live?
Karitane is home to roughly 1,638 people across 21.7 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Karitane scores 52 out of 100, with a safety score of 86/100 and 7% green space.
Schools: Karitane has 8 schools in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $617K, and weekly rent typically sits around $344.
Lifestyle: Karitane has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 9.4°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Karitane is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety86
- Amenities10
- Schools88
- Housing Affordability61
- Green space24
- Community56
- Transport19
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $617K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $344/wk
- Median HH Income
- $85K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +10.5%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Karitane?
- Karitane is on the Otago coast, around 40 km north of Dunedin, where the Waikouaiti River creates a lagoon and sheltered harbour before meeting the sea, 10 km south of Waikouaiti.
- What is Huriawa Peninsula?
- Huriawa Peninsula is the headland at Karitane, a former Māori pā site with preserved terracing and earthworks above the harbour, accessible on a short walk with coastal and river views.
- What is Karitane's connection to Plunket?
- Frederic Truby King, founder of the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, established his farm Shielburn at Karitane in the early 1900s, beginning the baby health movement that shaped New Zealand childcare through most of the 20th century.
- Is Karitane good for whitebait?
- Yes. The Waikouaiti River mouth at Karitane is a traditional whitebait fishery, and the lagoon and river mouth attract whitebaiters during the spring season.
- How do I get from Dunedin to Karitane?
- By car, around 35 to 40 minutes north on State Highway 1 to Waikouaiti, then south on the coastal road. InterCity buses stop at Waikouaiti, with Karitane a short drive from the main road.
- Which schools are in zone for Karitane?
- Children living in Karitane are in zone for Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School, St Hildas Collegiate, Columba College, John McGlashan College, Liberton Christian School, Trinity Catholic College. Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.
- How do I check my school zone in Karitane?
- Use the School Zone Checker on this page. Enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Karitane
Schools in zone for Karitane
Children living in Karitane have a guaranteed right to enrol at these schools, based on Ministry of Education home zones.
Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School
Full Primary · roll 77 · decile 9
St Hildas Collegiate
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 463 · decile 10
Columba College
Composite · roll 609
John McGlashan College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 527
Liberton Christian School
Full Primary · roll 133 · decile 7
Trinity Catholic College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 872
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Karitane. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Other nearby schools
Schools close to Karitane that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Karitane School
Contributing · roll 27 · decile 6 · 2.3 km away
Waikouaiti School
Contributing · roll 91 · decile 6 · 3.7 km away
Explore Karitane
Things to do(1)
Old tunnel
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Karitane
Places to eat & drink(1)
The Karitane General Store & Kitchen
Shops in Karitane
Shops(2)
Fireside Footwear
Matanaka Meats
Professional Services in Karitane
Professional services(1)
RO. Image
Karitane Weather
Current conditions: 9.4°C, overcast clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 18.65 | 11.89 | 2.03 | 10.23 |
| ☀️ Feb | 18.82 | 11.4 | 2.16 | 10.17 |
| 🍂 Mar | 16.38 | 9.55 | 3.5 | 8.99 |
| 🍂 Apr | 14.95 | 8.02 | 2.13 | 7.35 |
| 🍂 May | 12.57 | 5.96 | 1.64 | 6.11 |
| ❄️ Jun | 10.57 | 5.07 | 2.1 | 5.22 |
| ❄️ Jul | 10.16 | 4.99 | 3.01 | 5.87 |
| ❄️ Aug | 11.21 | 3.59 | 1.34 | 7.62 |
| 🌸 Sep | 13.4 | 5.4 | 3.08 | 8.47 |
| 🌸 Oct | 14.31 | 6.18 | 4.18 | 9.6 |
| 🌸 Nov | 14.83 | 7.65 | 3.13 | 10.09 |
| ☀️ Dec | 16.9 | 10.6 | 4.57 | 9.17 |
Karitane Community
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