Waihou is a rural settlement in the Matamata-Piako District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located on State Highway 26 between Te Aroha and Morrinsville and west of the Waihou River.^[3]

Waihou was originally known as Te Kapara and later Ardmore.^[4]: 264 The name Waihou is derived from the Waihou River.^[5]

In 1879, 200 allotments had been laid out from the larger land block. Waihou was typically accessed via boat. Waihou was a pioneer settlement with most settlers coming from England, Scotland, and Ireland.^[4]: 264

In 1880 Waihou was a hamlet, with a school service conducted out of a private home, a hall, and a hotel. The Hamilton to Te Aroha railway passed through the settlement.^{[4]: 244, 264}

Waihou was along the road between Hamilton and gold fields in the Kaimais, this led to many settlers leaving for the gold fields. The sections in Waihou became cheap and many settlers who otherwise would not have been able to afford large sections purchased sections at Waihou.^[4]: 264

In the early 1900s, Waihou had a population of about 100, a railway siding, and a primary school.^[6]

Statistics New Zealand describes Waihou as a rural settlement, which covers 0.52 km² (0.20 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 310 as of June 2024,^[2] with a population density of 596 people per km². Waihou is part of the larger Waihou-Manawaru statistical area.^[7]

Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a larger boundary, covering 1.29 km² (0.50 sq mi).^[1] Using that boundary, Waihou had a population of 318 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 48 people (17.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 57 people (21.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 120 households, comprising 165 males and 156 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female, with 63 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 54 (17.0%) aged 15 to 29, 129 (40.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 75 (23.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 88.7% European/Pākehā, 13.2% Māori, 4.7% Pacific peoples, 1.9% Asian, and 3.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 63.2% had no religion, 22.6% were Christian, and 0.9% were Hindu.

Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 81 (31.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 36 people (14.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 117 (45.9%) people were employed full-time, 39 (15.3%) were part-time, and 6 (2.4%) were unemployed.^[8]

Waihou School opened in 1880 in the town hall and served 15 students. In 1898 it moved to a purpose built structure.^{[4]: 291–292} At the beginning of the 20th century it has 110 students on the roll.^[6] It closed in 2000.^[9]

Elstow-Waihou Combined School, called Elstow School before 2000, is a full primary school catering for years 1–8.^[10] It has a roll of 164 as of November 2024.^[11] It was founded in 1901^[12] and is seven kilometres northwest of Waihou.