In the electoral district of Patea and the Waitotara Riding of the Waitotara County is the little village of Kai Iwi, which has a population of sixty-four. It is thirteen miles north-west of Wanganui, and possesses a telephone bureau and post-office, where mails arrive and close twice every day. A convenient hotel is situated near the railway station, which is 122 feet above sea-level, the surrounding district being chiefly devoted to farming.

Kai Iwi Hotel (Alexander Tawse, proprietor). This hotel, which is a wood and iron building, two stories high, contains twenty rooms, and was built about thirty years ago. It is situated some thirteen miles from Wanganui, on the Great North Road. Good paddocks are provided for persons travelling with stock. The local railway station is within stone's throw of the hotel.