Rangiora

Rangiora is a rural town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest city in North Canterbury and the seat of the District Council of the Waimakariri - district.

Geography and transport

Rangiora located 25 km north of Christchurch, near the northern end of the Inland Scenic Route, formerly State Highway 72 State Highway 1 passes through the city, which is also connected to the trains running on the Main North Line TranzCoastal. The Ashley River flows north past the town.

Population

At the 2006 census the city's population was 11,871 inhabitants. The surrounding area is inhabited by another 4,500 people. The city has in the past 5 years, a growth rate of over 10% per year, the surrounding area even in excess of 25 %.

Climate

As the town lies further inland, the summer is warmer and the winter colder than in the coastal areas around Christchurch. The official highest temperature in New Zealand was measured on 7 February 1973, 42.4 ° C in Rangiora.

Education

The town has several primary schools and two secondary schools. The Rangiora High School has about 1,650 students. She is one of the largest secondary schools in the South Island. With its foundation by an Act of Parliament in 1881, it is also one of the oldest. The school opened on Monday, 28 January 1884, celebrates Easter 2009 its 125th anniversary. She brought in recent years produced several good rugby and netball players.

Attractions

From Rangiora from several wineries can be achieved, which are enjoying increasing popularity in North Canterbury. For nearly 20 years the Rangiora Showgrounds site of the annual Auto Show Street Machines and Muscle Car Madness. Rangiora boasts New Zealand's first and only Metproduktion. This is before the city and exported their Met & Cookies in many countries.

Sport and Culture

The football club Rangiora A.F.C. has grown rapidly in recent years. In Rangiora, there are two theater companies: The North Canterbury Musical Society and The Rangiora Players, as well as a number of music, dance and drama schools. The cinema Regent Theatre is located in the building of the historic Town Hall of Rangiora.