Waikowhai is an Auckland suburb in New Zealand governed by the Auckland Council. Wai means “Water” in Māori, and kōwhai is a native tree with a bright yellow flower. Waikōwhai is Māori for kōwhai by the water.
The suburb is a culturally diverse neighbourhood located 20 minutes from Auckland’s central business district. At Waikōwhai Bay, its southern boundary meets the Manukau Harbour.
Waikowhai has Auckland city’s largest remaining block of native forest. The block was deemed too infertile for farming and was not cleared, instead being given to the Wesley Mission. Today, the forest block is home to a precious collection of Auckland’s indigenous fauna and flora.
According to the 2018 New Zealand census, Waikowhai had a population of 5,439 people and 1,518 households.
Local Schools
There are three schools in Waikōwhai and many others in the surrounding suburbs. Hay Park School and Waikōwhai Intermediate are on Richardson Road next to each other, and Waikōwhai Primary is a few blocks south on Hillsborough Road.
Lynfield College and Mount Roskill Grammar School are the local secondary schools. Marcellin College and St Peter’s College are nearby Catholic high schools in the area.
