Kaitemako is a rural area in the Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. The area includes the Kaitemako Stream catchment.^[3] The highest point is Pukunui at 364 metres.^[4] The Kaiate Falls (Te Rerekawau Falls) are a pair of waterfalls, with the lower fall being about 15 metres high.^[5]

Waitao statistical area, which was called Kaitemako before the 2023 census, covers 75.76 km² (29.25 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 2,070 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 27 people per km².

Kaitemako had a population of 1,752 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 279 people (18.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 411 people (30.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 606 households, comprising 891 males and 864 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 43.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 339 people (19.3%) aged under 15 years, 300 (17.1%) aged 15 to 29, 885 (50.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 228 (13.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 85.4% European/Pākehā, 20.4% Māori, 1.4% Pacific peoples, 2.6% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.8% had no religion, 32.0% were Christian, 4.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.7% were Buddhist and 2.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 285 (20.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 219 (15.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 285 people (20.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 765 (54.1%) people were employed full-time, 258 (18.3%) were part-time, and 39 (2.8%) were unemployed.^[6]