Kaiteriteri is a small coastal town reliant on tourism for much of its income, and there are many accommodation providers, cafés, pubs and restaurants.[citation needed] It is also a hub for the adventure tourism throughout the area and into Abel Tasman National Park. A number of walking and mountainbiking trails, including the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park, begin from or pass through the town.
Demographics
Kaiteriteri is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 3.55km2 (1.37sqmi) and had an estimated population of 490 as of June 2025, with a population density of 138 people per km2. It is part of the larger Kaiteriteri-Riwaka statistical area.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
2006
309
—
2013
354
+1.96%
2018
354
+0.00%
2023
456
+5.19%
Source:
Kaiteriteri had a population of 456 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 102 people (28.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 102 people (28.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 228 males and 228 females in 213 dwellings. 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 61.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 39 people (8.6%) aged under 15 years, 33 (7.2%) aged 15 to 29, 192 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 192 (42.1%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.7% European (Pākehā); 4.6% Māori; 1.3% Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.7%, Māori by 1.3%, and other languages by 9.9%. No language could be spoken by 0.7% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 21.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 32.2% Christian, 0.7% Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% Buddhist, 2.0% New Age, and 0.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 57.2%, and 7.9% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 96 (23.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 231 (55.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 87 (20.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 42 people (10.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 141 (33.8%) full-time, 78 (18.7%) part-time, and 3 (0.7%) unemployed.
