The township of Waihola lies between Dunedin and Milton, New Zealand in Otago, in New Zealand's South Island.^[3] It lies close to the southeast shore of the shallow tidal lake which shares its name.

The town is located on State Highway 1, and the South Island Main Trunk rail line runs through it, though trains no longer stop. The township is within the boundaries of Clutha District.

The name Waihola is accepted to be analogous with the word wai-hora, meaning "spreading waters". An alternative meaning of Waihola (originally Waihora) is 'wide waters'. ^[6] The place name for the location of Waihola is assigned as an official place name by the New Zealand Geographic Board.^[7] The place name also creates some interest as the Māori alphabet doesn't normally contain the letter 'L'. This is most likely an example of an earlier Southern Māori dialect.^[8]

Waihola is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 1.63 km² (0.63 sq mi),^[1] and had an estimated population of 480 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 294 people per km². It is part of the much larger Bruce statistical area.

Waihola had a population of 399 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 45 people (12.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 123 people (44.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 168 households, comprising 204 males and 198 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female, with 75 people (18.8%) aged under 15 years, 36 (9.0%) aged 15 to 29, 195 (48.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 90 (22.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.0% European/Pākehā, 10.5% Māori, 1.5% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.2% had no religion, 31.6% were Christian and 3.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 48 (14.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 93 (28.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 42 people (13.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 153 (47.2%) people were employed full-time, 45 (13.9%) were part-time, and 12 (3.7%) were unemployed.^[9]

Waihola is a popular destination for day-trips from Dunedin, 35 kilometres to the north, and the lake is a venue for many water sports, including waterskiing, rowing, and yachting.

The 2175-hectare Waihola Waipori wetland system is one of the largest and most significant remaining lowland wetland systems in New Zealand. It is a diverse and highly productive ecosystem, supporting threatened species such as the giant kokopu and the South Island Fernbird. The wetland is of great significance to Kai Tahu and is used for recreational hunting and fishing.^[12]

The Sinclair Wetlands are also located at Waihola.

Waihola District School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,^[13] with a roll of 27 as of February 2024.^[14] The school started in 1859.^[15]

• Main road of Waihola looking north
• Houses and a petrol station in Waihola
• Houses in Waihola