Living In Rakaia
Rakaia is an amazing little piece of paradise that sits halfway to everywhere!
Photo Credit: Karen Hislop
About Rakaia
Rakaia is an amazing little piece of paradise that sits halfway to everywhere.
Rakaia is a rural community set on the Canterbury Plains 50 kilometers south of Christchurch and 28 kilometers north of Ashburton. The township of over 1560 people was established on the southern side of the braided Rakaia River as its major crossing. The original road and rail bridge was built in 1873. The present road bridge was opened in 1939 and spans 1.9 kilometers of one of the world’s best examples of a ‘braided’ river. When constructed it was the longest bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. The bridge is the gateway to Mid-Canterbury and southbound travelers often turn westward over the bridge to explore the Southern Alps.
RAKAIA
“Heart of the South
Halfway to Everywhere
Gateway to the Winter Wonderland”
salmon capital of nz
History of Rakaia
Rakaia was founded in 1856. The first bridge was built in 1873 and the Rakaia Township burst into life. The expanding railways reached Rakaia on the Main South Line, making travel to the region quicker and safer. The opening of the Methven Branch Line railway in 1880 also facilitate smoother travel inland towards the mountains. As more and more settlers were drawn to the area with rich farming possibilities on offer, the town grew around the southern end of the bride and railway twenty kilometers inland from the river mouth.
rakaia demographics
The median age of the residents in 2018 census was 42.3 years old. In terms of ethnicity, 86.9% of residents identified as European, 12.9% identified as Maori and 5.2% identified as Pacifika, 3.3% as Asian and 1.7% other ethnicities.
Rakaia River Flood Photo Credit: Stuff.co.nz
Year Established
Population
Bridge Length
South of Christchurch
rakaia Today
Rakaia is the Salmon capital of New Zealand with the river yielding salmon and trout. Recreational rafting, kayaking, jetboating, horse trekking, rock-hounding, and bird watching are also attractive activities on this accessible river. during the fishing season between October and April, anglers can be seen lining the river mouth 20 kilometers east of the town. The Rakaia Salmon Fishing Competition held at the end of February is extremely popular. Rakaia is renowned for its fertile, alluvial soil, either washed or blown down the plains. Horticulture and arable farming enjoy ideal conditions with sheep, deer (and more recently) dairy farms are established throughout the area. A rural servicing town, Rakaia has a growing industrial commercial base with innovative engineering firms specialising in agricultural and marine products. Gardening – from the backyard hobby to the landscaped estates – is a popular pastime and between spring and autumn, the area is ablaze of colour. Rakaia is abounding with creative and talented people: artisans creating pottery, floral art, oil and watercolours, homespun knitwear – all with a unique, local flair. Rakaia is rich in sporting and social amenities including a Sports Domain, equestrian course, swimming pool, golf course, squash and tennis courts, well-appointed bowling greens, Primary School, Community Centre Library, Playcentre, Toy Library, Medical Centre, Fire Station, several Churches and two popular pubs. The town has good shopping facilities and an increasing number of eating places such as fish n’ chips, Indian and an Azteca Taco mobile van. Rakaia is known for its friendly people who make an extra effort to make newcomers welcome. Many voluntary social and sporting groups thrive on making the community more interesting.
These groups all function on volunteer manpower with all hands to the deck. Making yourself known and putting your hand up to assist is the best way to enjoy your new move to this piece of paradise.