Why is the “Wai” area of Tokoroa still a great place to live?

If you’re familiar with the Tokoroa property market, you’ll know that the “Wai” area has long been a popular place to live. 

The history behind the naming of this subdivision can be traced to NZ Forest Products, the town’s pioneering forestry company, who was responsible for the development of many subdivisions in the area. According to the South Waikato District Council’s website, the use of the phrase “Wai” prefix reflects Māori water-related names from across Aotearoa. These include Waipuna, Waimea, Wairakei, Waitara, Waiiti and Wairoa.

40 Wairoa Pl, selling for $445,000

The homes in this area were primarily built in the 1970s and 1980s, a period of significant growth for Tokoroa due to increased operations at the nearby Kinleith Mill. As a result, the “Wai” area was in demand as a place to live and raise a family. The homes were typically single-storey with timber framing and a lot of the houses were clad in fibre cement or even weatherside. Roofs were predominantly gable or hip-style in design. 

The interior of the homes often had an open plan layout in the dining, lounge and kitchen area. This design, popular at the time, enabled the home owners to enjoy the illusion of more space and greater connectivity with whanau. For convenience, the homes boasted wardrobes in the bedrooms and cupboards in the hallway. This was a notable improvement  from the earlier Forest Product homes which typically lacked built-in wardrobes. Indoor outdoor flow was also important to homeowners as can be seen by the popularity of decks and outdoor spaces in the “Wai” properties. 

6 Waiiti Pl, selling for $448,000

Throughout the ups and downs of the town’s history, including downsizing the workforce at the mill, the “Wai” area has remained a steadfast and desirable place to live. In 2025, this sentiment has continued with several sales occurring recently. Sales prices have ranged from $405,000 to $490,000.

There are currently some lovely houses in the “Wai” area for sale. These include 40 Wairoa Pl and 6 Waiiti Pl. Both properties are occupied by the owners and are ideal for first home buyers or investors wanting to invest in a great location and achieve good returns.