| Rangiora | |
|---|---|
| — town — | |
| The east end of the main street of Rangiora | |
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Rangiora
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| Coordinates: | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.1783 km2 (3.2 sq mi) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 11,871 |
| • Density | 1,451.5/km2 (3,759.4/sq mi) |
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.
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Rangiora is 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the north of Christchurch, 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.
As of the 2006 census 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%.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3] 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 former 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 former Tall Fern captain Donna Loffhagen.
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 meadery. 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.
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.
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.[4]
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.
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