Waianiwa is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Southland, one of 43 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Waianiwa is the 30th largest suburb of Southland in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Waianiwa provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1910 - 1919. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1910 - 1919. Residential housing stock in Waianiwa is made up of approximately 53% residential housing and 47% lifestyle properties.