Waikaia is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Southland, one of 43 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Waikaia is the 18th largest suburb of Southland in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Waikaia 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 1970 - 1979. Residential housing stock in Waikaia is made up of approximately 91% residential housing and 9% lifestyle properties.