Atawhai is a suburb of Nelson, New Zealand. It lies north of Nelson and is the location of Wakapuaka Cemetery, a burial place since 1861. It also has a coastline on Nelson Haven and access to Boulder Bank from State Highway 6.^[3][4]

Atawhai covers an area of 4.54 km², including a land area of 4.54 km².^[1]

Miyazu Japanese Garden, a Japanese public garden and public reserve, is located in Atawhai.^[5]

Wakapuaka Cemetery is also located in the area.^[5]

Atawhai also has several local parks: Bayview Reserve, Corder Park, Frenchay Reserve, Montrose Reserve, Ngapua Reserve, Queen Elizabeth II Reserve, Te-Ata Reserve, Titoki Reserve, Tresillian Reserve and Werneth Reserve.^[5]

The estimated population of Atawhai reached 2,000 in 1996.^[6]

It reached 2,220 in 2001, 2,208 in 2006, 2,556 in 2013, and 2,790 in 2018.^[6]

Whakatū Marae is located in Atawhai. It is the marae (meeting ground) of Ngāti Kōata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama ki Te Tau Ihu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui. It includes the Kākāti wharenui (meeting house).^[7][8]

The Atawhai statistical area had an estimated population of 2,960 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 652 people per km².

Atawhai had a population of 2,790 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 234 people (9.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 582 people (26.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,131 households, comprising 1,329 males and 1,461 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.91 males per female. The median age was 49.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 477 people (17.1%) aged under 15 years, 291 (10.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,425 (51.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 603 (21.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.5% European/Pākehā, 7.8% Māori, 1.4% Pasifika, 3.4% Asian, and 2.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 27.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.4% had no religion, 29.6% were Christian, 0.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.8% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 693 (30.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 303 (13.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 450 people (19.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,035 (44.7%) people were employed full-time, 447 (19.3%) were part-time, and 63 (2.7%) were unemployed.^[9]

In 2018, 6.9% worked in manufacturing, 8.5% worked in construction, 4.0% worked in hospitality, 4.6% worked in transport, 7.9% worked in education, and 13.5% worked in healthcare.^[6]

As of 2018, among those who commute to work, 73.5% drove a car, 3.4% rode in a car, 7.1% use a bike, and 7.1% walk or run. No one used public transport.^[6]