Waiau is a small town in north Canterbury, in the South Island of New Zealand.

Waiau is the largest town on State Highway 70, also known as the Inland Kaikōura Route.

Buildings damaged by the earthquake include many homes, the Waiau Lodge Hotel, historic cottage, bowling green, church, netball courts and swimming pool.

[5][6] A historic woolshed at Highfield just north of Waiau, built in 1877, which was significantly damaged in the earthquake has been restored and has retained its Heritage New Zealand Category 1 status.

[7][8] Waiau shares its name with several much smaller settlements and farming communities within New Zealand.

[9] Waiau is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 0.97 km2 (0.37 sq mi).

[18] A temporary pub called the Waiau Tavern was set up in the car park for the town's residents and opened six months later.

Approximately thirty firefighters attempted to put out the fire which started late at night.