Kākaunui Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Otago, New Zealand

Source: AirROI
Last updated: 2025-09-01

Is Airbnb profitable in Kākaunui in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Kākaunui, Otago, New Zealand to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Kākaunui, based on AirROI data from September 2024 to August 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 18 active listings.

Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Kākaunui, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Kākaunui Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.

Key Kākaunui Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview

Avg. Daily Rate (ADR)(?)
$108
The average rental revenue earned for an occupied room per day in Kākaunui.
Occupancy Rate(?)
43.1%
Moderate demand with booking opportunities.
Median Annual Revenue(?)
$13,810
Typical annual income for an Airbnb listing in Kākaunui. Factors like property type, size, and location influence actual earnings.
Revenue Growth YoY(?)
-28.8%
Significant decrease (-28.8%) vs. last year.
Peak Revenue Month(?)
January
The month with the highest average earnings, indicating peak season in Kākaunui.
Lowest Revenue Month(?)
May
The month with the lowest average earnings, indicating the low season in Kākaunui.
STR Regulation Level(?)
Low
Fewer regulations, offering more operational flexibility.
Active Airbnb Listings(?)
18
Total number of active short-term rentals listed.

Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Kākaunui (2025)

Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Kākaunui is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Kākaunui is typically January, while May often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Kākaunui across different performance tiers:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $2,552+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $1,903 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
  • Typical properties (Median) generate around $1,290 per month, representing the average market performance.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $815, often with potential for optimization.

Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Kākaunui

Kākaunui Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)

Maximize your bookings by understanding the Kākaunui STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Januarysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while September experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Kākaunui:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 66%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 56% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
  • Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 38%.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 27% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.

Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Kākaunui

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Kākaunui (2025)

Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Kākaunui involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Kākaunui typically peaks in July and dips lowest during March. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $152+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $123 or more.
  • Typical properties (Median) charge around $103 per night.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $89 per night.

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Kākaunui

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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Kākaunui (2025)

Peak Season (January, December, February)
  • Revenue averages $2,192 per month
  • Occupancy rates average 63.4%
  • Daily rates average $108
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $1,419 per month
  • Occupancy maintains around 38.6%
  • Daily rates hold near $108
Low Season (May, June, September)
  • Revenue drops to average $905 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to average 25.4%
  • Daily rates adjust to average $110

Seasonality Insights for Kākaunui

  • The Airbnb seasonality in Kākaunui shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
  • During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Kākaunui's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $2,579, occupancy reaching a high of 71.7%, and ADRs peaking at $118.
  • Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $812, occupancy could drop to 24.3%, and ADRs may adjust down to $103.
  • Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Kākaunui.

Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit

  • Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
  • Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
  • Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
  • Regularly analyze your own performance against these Kākaunui seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.

Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Kākaunui (2025)

Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Kākaunui? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.

Neighborhood / AreaWhy Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal)Key Attractions & Landmarks
Kākaunui Beach
A scenic location perfect for beach activities and relaxation, attracting tourists who appreciate nature and outdoor adventures.
Kākaunui Beach, Otago Peninsula, local walking trails, bird watching spots, fishing areas
Kākaunui Village
The heart of the community with local shops and restaurants, ideal for visitors looking to experience the local culture.
Kākaunui Village Market, local cafes, art galleries, community parks, scenic views
Penguin Place
A unique wildlife sanctuary experience, popular among nature enthusiasts and families.
Penguin Place, wildlife tours, educational programs, beach access, scenic views
Otago Harbor
Offers stunning water views and activities like kayaking and sailing, appealing to adventure seekers.
Otago Harbor, kayaking trips, scenic boat tours, fishing spots, waterfront dining options
Surf Highway
Known for its excellent surf spots, attracting surfers and beachgoers.
Surf beaches, surf schools, scenic coastal drives, local dining options, wildlife watching
Kākaunui Scenic Reserve
A natural reserve with trails and picnic areas, great for families and nature lovers.
walking trails, picnic spots, native flora and fauna, viewing platforms, educational signage
Dunedin City Center
Close to Kākaunui, this vibrant city center offers urban attractions and amenities.
Dunedin Railway Station, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, local shops and cafes, Botanic Gardens, Larnach Castle
Otago Peninsula
Famous for its unique wildlife and stunning landscapes, drawing tourists who want to explore nature.
Royal Albatross Centre, Larnach Castle, local wildlife tours, beaches, scenic viewpoints

Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Kākaunui (2025)

While Kākaunui, Otago, New Zealand currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Kākaunui to ensure full compliance before hosting.

(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Kākaunui (2025)

Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Kākaunuibased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.

The Kakanui Cube

The Kakanui Cube

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$42,216
Revenue
47.6%
Occupancy
$237.24
Daily Rate
Uninterrupted ocean views - private beach access

Uninterrupted ocean views - private beach access

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$20,327
Revenue
50.1%
Occupancy
$113.59
Daily Rate
The Bach Retreat Kakanui

The Bach Retreat Kakanui

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$19,895
Revenue
32.1%
Occupancy
$166.05
Daily Rate
Kakanui Oceanside Retreat

Kakanui Oceanside Retreat

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$17,542
Revenue
65.0%
Occupancy
$125.68
Daily Rate
Kakanui Stirling Views

Kakanui Stirling Views

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$17,052
Revenue
56.3%
Occupancy
$90.50
Daily Rate
Relaxed four bedroom home by the seaside.

Relaxed four bedroom home by the seaside.

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$16,454
Revenue
36.8%
Occupancy
$122.38
Daily Rate

Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.

Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Kākaunui (2025)

Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Kākaunui based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
Mel3$44,9602904.69/5.0
Finn & Liz1$42,2162764.92/5.0
Paul1$20,3271844.95/5.0
Tiffany1$19,8951224.89/5.0
Tania1$17,052185.00/5.0
Lisa1$16,454554.93/5.0
Delwyn1$16,059804.98/5.0
Nick1$12,944354.49/5.0
Sarah1$11,775864.87/5.0
Phillipa1$11,040834.94/5.0

Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Kākaunui.

Dive Deeper: Advanced Kākaunui STR Market Data (2025)

Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Kākaunui. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.

Explore Advanced Metrics

Kākaunui Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Market Composition Insights for Kākaunui

  • The Kākaunui Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 88.9% of the 18 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
  • Looking at the property type distribution in Kākaunui, House properties are the most common (83.3%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
  • Houses represent a significant 83.3% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
  • The presence of 11.1% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.

Kākaunui Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution

Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms

Room Capacity Insights for Kākaunui

  • The dominant room capacity in Kākaunui is 3 bedrooms listings, making up 38.9% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for families or small groups.
  • Together, 3 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms properties represent 66.7% of the active Airbnb listings in Kākaunui, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
  • A significant 44.5% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Kākaunui.

Kākaunui Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)

Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity

Guest Capacity Insights for Kākaunui

  • The most common guest capacity trend in Kākaunui vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (22.2%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
  • Properties designed for 8+ guests and 2 guests dominate the Kākaunui STR market, accounting for 38.9% of listings.
  • 44.5% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Kākaunui.
  • On average, properties in Kākaunui are equipped to host 4.7 guests.

Kākaunui Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Booking Pattern Insights for Kākaunui

  • The most common availability pattern in Kākaunui falls within the 181-270 days range, representing 72.2% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
  • Approximately 94.4% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
  • For booked days, the 91-180 days range is most frequent in Kākaunui (66.7%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
  • A notable 11.1% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.

Kākaunui Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis

Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement

1 Night (50%)

1 Night

9 listings

50% of total

2 Nights (44.4%)

2 Nights

8 listings

44.4% of total

30+ Nights (5.6%)

30+ Nights

1 listings

5.6% of total

Key Insights

  • The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Kākaunui is 1 Night, adopted by 50% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
  • A strong majority (94.4%) of the Kākaunui Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.

Recommendations

  • Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 50% of Kākaunui hosts use this setting.
  • Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 5.6% of the market seeking extended stays.
  • Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Kākaunui.

Kākaunui Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)

Flexible (33.3%)

Flexible

6 listings

33.3% of total

Moderate (55.6%)

Moderate

10 listings

55.6% of total

Firm (5.6%)

Firm

1 listings

5.6% of total

Strict (5.6%)

Strict

1 listings

5.6% of total

Cancellation Policy Insights for Kākaunui

  • The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Kākaunui is Moderate, used by 55.6% of listings.
  • The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 88.9% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Kākaunui may expect booking flexibility.
  • Strict cancellation policies are quite rare (5.6%), potentially making listings with this policy less competitive unless justified by high demand or property type.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Consider adopting a Moderate policy to align with the 55.6% market standard in Kākaunui.
  • Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 5.6% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
  • Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Kākaunui.

Kākaunui STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)

Average Booking Lead Time by Month

Booking Lead Time Insights for Kākaunui

  • The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Kākaunui is 42 days.
  • Guests book furthest in advance for stays during December (average 87 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
  • The shortest booking windows occur for stays in September (average 22 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
  • Seasonally, Winter (65 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Summer (30 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Use the overall average lead time (42 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Kākaunui.
  • For December stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 87 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
  • Target marketing efforts for the Winter season well in advance (at least 65 days) to capture early planners.
  • Monitor your own booking lead times against these Kākaunui averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.

Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Kākaunui (2025)

Amenity Prevalence

Amenity Insights for Kākaunui

  • Essential amenities in Kākaunui that guests expect include: Free parking on premises, Smoke alarm. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
  • Popular amenities like TV, Dishes and silverware, Kitchen are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
  • Warning: Wifi is not universally provided but is considered essential globally. Ensure reliable Wifi is offered.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Kākaunui: Free parking on premises, Smoke alarm.
  • Consider adding popular differentiators like TV or Dishes and silverware to increase appeal.
  • Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
  • Regularly check competitor amenities in Kākaunui to stay competitive.

Kākaunui Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)

Guest Origin: Domestic vs. International
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Guest Age Distribution (Birth Decade)

Guest Profile Summary for Kākaunui

  • The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Kākaunui consists of a mix of domestic (54%) and international guests, often arriving from nearby Christchurch, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Chinese.
  • Domestic travelers account for 54.0% of guests.
  • Key international markets include New Zealand (54%) and Australia (11.6%).
  • Top languages spoken are English (61.7%) followed by Chinese (12.2%).
  • A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Balance marketing efforts between domestic and international channels based on the guest mix.
  • Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
  • Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
  • Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.

Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison

How does the Kākaunui Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.

MarketActive PropertiesMonthly RevenueDaily RateAvg. Occupancy
Lake Tekapo410$4,917$283.0361%
Ben Ohau11$4,732$210.0873%
Lake Ōhau10$3,578$232.3650%
Wānaka1,098$2,717$282.6546%
Twizel281$2,255$178.4750%
Burkes Pass21$1,944$151.4846%
Fairlie50$1,918$118.0958%
Albert Town131$1,884$188.4348%
Lake Hāwea132$1,882$198.4949%
Cardrona38$1,879$203.0841%

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