Wakatu is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Nelson, one of 30 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Wakatu is the 12nd largest suburb of Nelson in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Wakatu provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1900 - 1909. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1970 - 1979. Residential housing stock in Wakatu is made up of approximately 97% residential housing and 3% residential investment housing properties.