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Rakaia is a town sited on the southern banks of the Rakaia River on the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand's South Island, approximately 57 km south of Christchurch on New Zealand State Highway 1, State Highway 1 and the Main South Line. Immediately north of the township are New Zealand's longest road bridge and longest rail bridge, both of which cross the wide shingle beds of the braided river at this point. Both bridges are approximately in length.
Rakaia was also the junction of the Methven Branch, a branch line railway to Methven, New Zealand, Methven that operated from 1880 until its closure in 1976. An Rakaia railway accident, accident at the railway station in 1899 killed four people.
Rakaia's most obvious feature is a large Fiberglass, fibreglass salmon. The river from which the town takes its name is known for its salmon fishing and jetboating.
The town and river were previously known as ''Cholmondeley'', but the Māori name would eventually prevail over the English one.
The rural community of Acton is located south of the Rakaia township.Acton, New Zealand
on GeoNames.org
Rakaia had a population of 1,440 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 168 people (13.2%) since the 2013 New Zealand census, 2013 census, and an increase of 369 people (34.5%) since the 2006 New Zealand census, 2006 census. There were 576 households, comprising 723 males and 720 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 42.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 303 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 225 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 657 (45.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 255 (17.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 86.9% European/Pākehā, 12.9% Māori people, Māori, 5.2% Pasifika New Zealanders, Pasifika, 3.3% Asian New Zealanders, Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 12.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.1% had no religion, 34.8% were Christianity in New Zealand, Christian, 0.6% had Religion of Māori people, Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hinduism in New Zealand, Hindu, 0.2% were Islam in New Zealand, Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhism in New Zealand, Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 330 (29.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 135 people (11.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 636 (55.9%) people were employed full-time, 162 (14.2%) were part-time, and 24 (2.1%) were unemployed.
The Rakaia Post Office was built in 1910.
The Rakaia Bank of New Zealand building.
Rakaia Tourism
{{Authority control Ashburton District Populated places in the Canterbury Region
on GeoNames.org
Demographics
Rakaia is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area and covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Rakaia had a population of 1,440 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 168 people (13.2%) since the 2013 New Zealand census, 2013 census, and an increase of 369 people (34.5%) since the 2006 New Zealand census, 2006 census. There were 576 households, comprising 723 males and 720 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 42.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 303 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 225 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 657 (45.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 255 (17.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 86.9% European/Pākehā, 12.9% Māori people, Māori, 5.2% Pasifika New Zealanders, Pasifika, 3.3% Asian New Zealanders, Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 12.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.1% had no religion, 34.8% were Christianity in New Zealand, Christian, 0.6% had Religion of Māori people, Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hinduism in New Zealand, Hindu, 0.2% were Islam in New Zealand, Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhism in New Zealand, Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 330 (29.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 135 people (11.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 636 (55.9%) people were employed full-time, 162 (14.2%) were part-time, and 24 (2.1%) were unemployed.
Notable buildings
Saint Mark's Anglican Church
Saint Marks was built in 1877. It was designed by architect Benjamin Mountfort in a Gothic style. It is considered a typical example of the wooden churches he designed for small parishes. The church was listed as a category two historic place in 1992.Rakaia Post Office
The Rakaia Post Office was built in 1910.
Bank of New Zealand
The Rakaia Bank of New Zealand building.
South Rakaia Hotel
The South Rakaia Hotel is almost 150 years old.
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
References
External links
Rakaia Tourism
{{Authority control Ashburton District Populated places in the Canterbury Region