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.

[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 2,110 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 28 people per km2.

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.