Waipara is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Hurunui, one of 26 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Waipara is the 6th largest suburb of Hurunui in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Waipara provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1880 - 1889. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1950 - 1959. Residential housing stock in Waipara is made up of approximately 69% residential housing and 31% lifestyle properties.