Rangiora, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Rangiora is a rural town in the South Island
of New Zealand
. It is the largest town in north Canterbury
and the seat of the Waimakariri District Council.
, close to the northern end of Canterbury's Inland Scenic Route (formerly State Highway 72
), which skirts the inner edge of the Canterbury Plains
, running southwest to Timaru
via Oxford
and Geraldine
. The Ashley River
is just to the north of the town.
the population of the urban area was 11,871. There were approximately 4,500 more people living in the surrounding rural area. The urban area has seen a growth rate of over 10% in the last five years, while the rural areas have seen population growth in excess of 25%.
Rangiora High School has over 1700 students and over 180 staff. It is one of the largest secondary schools in the South Island and also one of the oldest, having been established by an Act of Parliament in 1881. Rangiora High School opened on Monday 28 January 1884. The school celebrated its 125th Jubilee at Easter 2009. Well-known former students of Rangiora High School include Cabinet Minister Rodney Hide
, Cabinet Minister Nick Smith
, member of the Order of New Zealand
and former Cabinet Minister the late Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan
, former All Black captain Todd Blackadder
, and former Silver Fern player and Tall Fern captain Donna Loffhagen.
For more than twenty years the Rangiora Showgrounds has hosted an annual "petrol-head" show called Street Machines and Muscle Car Madness which features a large array of vehicles. Rangiora boasts New Zealand's first and only commercial mead
ery. Located just outside the town it produces mead made from pure New Zealand honey and this is exported to many countries.
Rangiora Football
has undergone strong growth recently. The Mainpower Oval has hosted many National cricket matches after its recent completion and is also used by Canterbury Country cricket as its base. Rangiora High School has produced many excellent sportspeople in rugby, basketball, netball, athletics, and rowing in recent years. Former All Black captain Todd Blackadder
and former Silver Fern player and Tall Fern captain Donna Loffhagen both attended Rangiora High School. Tony Hawke
who represented the Canterbury Rams in New Zealand's National Basketball League (NBL) in 2006 also attended Rangiora High School.
Route 90 - Christchurch direct via Kaiapoi and Lineside Road;
Route 92 - Christchurch direct via Kaiapoi and Woodend, Waikuku;
Route 912 - Kaiapoi to Rangiora via Woodend;
Route 913 - Kaiapoi to Rangiora via Woodend, Waikuku
Fare: City to Kaiapoi $NZ4.40; City to Rangiora $NZ5.60
The Main North Line railway from Christchurch to Picton
passes through Rangiora. The TranzCoastal passes through Rangiora heading North in the morning and South again in the afternoon.
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is the largest town in north Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
and the seat of the Waimakariri District Council.
Geography
Rangiora is 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) to the north of ChristchurchChristchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, close to the northern end of Canterbury's Inland Scenic Route (formerly State Highway 72
New Zealand State Highway network
The New Zealand State Highway network is the major national highway network in New Zealand. Just under 100 roads in both the North and South Islands are State Highways...
), which skirts the inner edge of the Canterbury Plains
Canterbury Plains
The Canterbury Plains are an area in New Zealand centred to the south of the city of Christchurch in the Canterbury Region. Their northern extremes are at the foot of the Hundalee Hills in the Hurunui District, and in the south they merge into the plains of North Otago beyond the Waitaki...
, running southwest to Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
via Oxford
Oxford, New Zealand
Oxford is a small town of 1,716 people serving the farming community of North Canterbury, New Zealand. It is part of the Waimakariri District. Oxford is a linear town, approximately two kilometres long. For a time Oxford was serviced by the Oxford Branch railway, and had two stations, East Oxford...
and Geraldine
Geraldine, New Zealand
Geraldine is a town in the Canterbury Region on the South Island of New Zealand. It is about 140 km south of Christchurch, and inland from Timaru, which is 35 km to the south...
. The Ashley River
Ashley River, New Zealand
The Ashley River is located in Canterbury Region of New Zealand. It flows generally southeastwards for 65 kilometres before entering the Pacific Ocean at Waikuku Beach, Pegasus Bay north of Christchurch. The town of Rangiora is close to the south bank of the Ashley River...
is just to the north of the town.
Population
As of the 2006 censusNew Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
The New Zealand government department Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census scheduled for 2011 was cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, however, and legislation introduced to hold the next...
the population of the urban area was 11,871. There were approximately 4,500 more people living in the surrounding rural area. The urban area has seen a growth rate of over 10% in the last five years, while the rural areas have seen population growth in excess of 25%.
Climate
Being further inland than most of Christchurch, Rangiora experiences hotter summers and colder winters. The highest official temperature ever recorded in New Zealand was 42.4°C (108.3°F) at Rangiora on 7 February 1973.Education
The town has several primary schools, a small state-integrated area school (Rangiora New Life School) and one large state co-educational secondary school (Rangiora High School).Rangiora High School has over 1700 students and over 180 staff. It is one of the largest secondary schools in the South Island and also one of the oldest, having been established by an Act of Parliament in 1881. Rangiora High School opened on Monday 28 January 1884. The school celebrated its 125th Jubilee at Easter 2009. Well-known former students of Rangiora High School include Cabinet Minister Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide
Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...
, Cabinet Minister Nick Smith
Nick Smith (New Zealand)
Nicolas Rex "Nick" Smith is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand Parliament as a National Party MP...
, member of the Order of New Zealand
Order of New Zealand
The Order of New Zealand is the highest honour in New Zealand's honours system, created "to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity"...
and former Cabinet Minister the late Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan
Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan
Tini "Whetu" Marama Tirikatene-Sullivan, ONZ was a New Zealand politician. She was an MP from 1967 to 1996, representing the Labour Party. At the time of her retirement, she was the second longest-serving MP in Parliament, being in her tenth term of office...
, former All Black captain Todd Blackadder
Todd Blackadder
Todd Julian Blackadder is a former professional New Zealand rugby union player and professional rugby coach. He served as Director of Rugby for the Tasman Rugby Union before being appointed to succeed Robbie Deans as coach of Super 14 team the Crusaders...
, and former Silver Fern player and Tall Fern captain Donna Loffhagen.
Attractions
Rangiora has become a gateway for local wineries, which have become popular in North Canterbury and, around Rangiora, there are a number to choose from.For more than twenty years the Rangiora Showgrounds has hosted an annual "petrol-head" show called Street Machines and Muscle Car Madness which features a large array of vehicles. Rangiora boasts New Zealand's first and only commercial mead
Mead
Mead , also called honey wine, is an alcoholic beverage that is produced by fermenting a solution of honey and water. It may also be produced by fermenting a solution of water and honey with grain mash, which is strained immediately after fermentation...
ery. Located just outside the town it produces mead made from pure New Zealand honey and this is exported to many countries.
Sports
Rangiora A.F.C.
Rangiora A.F.C. is a football club in Rangiora, New Zealand. In 2009, Rangiora AFC and Kaiapoi FC merged to form Waimak United FC.-External links:*...
has undergone strong growth recently. The Mainpower Oval has hosted many National cricket matches after its recent completion and is also used by Canterbury Country cricket as its base. Rangiora High School has produced many excellent sportspeople in rugby, basketball, netball, athletics, and rowing in recent years. Former All Black captain Todd Blackadder
Todd Blackadder
Todd Julian Blackadder is a former professional New Zealand rugby union player and professional rugby coach. He served as Director of Rugby for the Tasman Rugby Union before being appointed to succeed Robbie Deans as coach of Super 14 team the Crusaders...
and former Silver Fern player and Tall Fern captain Donna Loffhagen both attended Rangiora High School. Tony Hawke
Tony Hawke
Tony Hawke is a basketball player from Christchurch, New Zealand who represented the Canterbury Rams in New Zealand's National Basketball League...
who represented the Canterbury Rams in New Zealand's National Basketball League (NBL) in 2006 also attended Rangiora High School.
Culture
Rangiora boasts two theatre companies: The North Canterbury Musical Society and The Rangiora Players. There are also a number of music, dance and drama schools based in the town, including the Dale Hartley School of Speech and Drama. The Regent Cinema, which opened in 1926, is located within the historic Rangiora Town Hall. There are also screenings in the larger auditorium which also hosts live shows and youth events.Public transport
Rangiora is linked to Christchurch by public transport. "The Northern Star" bus service operates daily over 4 routes. The service runs half hourly (Monday to Saturday) from 5.30am until 6.30pm; then hourly until 10.00pm, extended to 11.30pm on Saturdays; The service runs hourly on Sundays until 9.30pm.Route 90 - Christchurch direct via Kaiapoi and Lineside Road;
Route 92 - Christchurch direct via Kaiapoi and Woodend, Waikuku;
Route 912 - Kaiapoi to Rangiora via Woodend;
Route 913 - Kaiapoi to Rangiora via Woodend, Waikuku
Fare: City to Kaiapoi $NZ4.40; City to Rangiora $NZ5.60
The Main North Line railway from Christchurch to Picton
Picton, New Zealand
Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001...
passes through Rangiora. The TranzCoastal passes through Rangiora heading North in the morning and South again in the afternoon.