Makikihi is a small town in the Waimate District of south Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It is located on State Highway 1 12.2 kilometres south of Saint Andrews, Canterbury, and 15.5 kilometres northeast of Waimate. It is close to the mouth of Makikihi River.

Makikihi is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 0.33 km (0.13 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 90 as of June 2023, with a population density of 273 people per km. The settlement is part of the larger Makikihi-Willowbridge statistical area.

Historical population for Makikihi

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	72	—
2013	72	+0.00%
2018	84	+3.13%
Source:

Makikihi had a population of 84 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (16.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 12 people (16.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 30 households, comprising 45 males and 36 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.25 males per female. The median age was 47.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 9 people (10.7%) aged under 15 years, 12 (14.3%) aged 15 to 29, 39 (46.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (25.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 85.7% European/Pākehā, 10.7% Māori, 3.6% Pasifika, and 10.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.0% had no religion, and 32.1% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 3 (4.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 21 (28.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 3 people (4.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 36 (48.0%) people were employed full-time, 9 (12.0%) were part-time, and 3 (4.0%) were unemployed.

The Makikihi-Willowbridge statistical area includes Hook and Studholme, and extends to Waimate but does not include it. It covers 295.03 km (113.91 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,090 as of June 2023, with a population density of 3.7 people per km.

Historical population for Makikihi-Willowbridge

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	984	—
2013	993	+0.13%
2018	1,008	+0.30%
Source:

Makikihi-Willowbridge had a population of 1,008 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 15 people (1.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 24 people (2.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 396 households, comprising 543 males and 465 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 46.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 171 people (17.0%) aged under 15 years, 150 (14.9%) aged 15 to 29, 498 (49.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 189 (18.8%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.9% European/Pākehā, 6.8% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 5.1% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.1% had no religion, 41.4% were Christian, 0.3% were Buddhist and 0.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 99 (11.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 198 (23.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 138 people (16.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 450 (53.8%) people were employed full-time, 144 (17.2%) were part-time, and 21 (2.5%) were unemployed.

Makikihi School is a full primary school serving years 1 to 8, with a roll of 27 students as of February 2024. The school opened in 1881.