Rakaia

Rakaia
town
The Big Salmon of Rakaia
The Big Salmon of Rakaia
Interactive map of Rakaia
Coordinates: 43°45′S 172°01′E / 43.750°S 172.017°E / -43.750; 172.017
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authorityAshburton District
WardEastern
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityAshburton District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of AshburtonLiz McMillan
 • Rangitata MPJames Meager
 • Te Tai Tonga MPMananui Ramsden
Area
 • Total
11.30 km2 (4.36 sq mi)
Elevation
108 m (354 ft)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
1,680
 • Density149/km2 (385/sq mi)

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 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 1,750 metres (5,740 ft) in length.[citation needed]

Rakaia was also the junction of the Methven Branch, a branch line railway to Methven that operated from 1880 until its closure in 1976. An accident at the railway station in 1899 killed four people.

Rakaia's most obvious feature is a large fibreglass salmon. The river from which the town takes its name is known for its salmon fishing and jetboating. In 2025 the sculpture was temporarily moved to the workshop of its creator Phil Price for restoration.

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.

Demographics

Rakaia is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area and covers 11.30 km2 (4.36 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 1,680 as of June 2025, with a population density of 148.7 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,071—    
20131,272+2.49%
20181,440+2.51%
20231,578+1.85%
Source:
War Memorial Rakaia

Rākaia had a population of 1,578 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 138 people (9.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 306 people (24.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 798 males and 774 females in 618 dwellings. 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 294 people (18.6%) aged under 15 years, 255 (16.2%) aged 15 to 29, 765 (48.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 264 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.6% European (Pākehā); 12.0% Māori; 6.5% Pasifika; 4.6% Asian; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori by 2.7%, and other languages by 6.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 27.9% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 0.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% New Age, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.6%, and 8.7% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 150 (11.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 756 (58.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 372 (29.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $42,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 72 people (5.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 687 (53.5%) full-time, 168 (13.1%) part-time, and 27 (2.1%) unemployed.

Education

Rakaia School is a state full primary school (years 1 to 8) with a roll of 195 (as of July 2026). It opened in 1872 and has since merged with Awaroa (1929–1948), Overdale (1896–1935), and Rakaia Convent / St Ita's (1912–1980s) schools.

Dorie School is a rural state full primary school south of Rakaia, near the Ashburton River mouth. It had a roll of 62 (as of July 2026). It opened in 1888.

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.

South Rakaia Hotel

The South Rakaia Hotel was built about 1872.

References

  1. ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Rangitata - Preliminary Count". Electoral Commission. 7 November 2026. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  3. ↑ "Te Tai Tonga - Preliminary Count". Electoral Commission. 7 November 2026. Retrieved 10 November 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ↑ McLintock, A. H. (1966). "Rakaia Railway Accident". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  7. ↑ Moore, Rachel (13 December 2025). "Rakaia's famous salmon is on the move".
  8. ↑ "Names of Places, Fights for Priority". The New Zealand Herald. 1 May 1934. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  9. ↑ Acton, New Zealand on GeoNames.org
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Rākaia (2149). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Rakaia (337600). 2018 Census place summary: Rakaia
  12. ↑ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Rakaia School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  14. 1 2 "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 Cowan, Maryann. "Transcribed Schools in the Ashburton District". Ashburton District Family History Group. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  16. ↑ Nixon, Kylie Klein (4 April 2026). "The small town where small character villas can cost less than $500k". Stuff.
  17. ↑ Adams, Virginia (1972). "Rakaia and consolidated schools centennial, 1872-1972". Rakaia and Consolidated Schools Centennial Committee – via National Library of New Zealand.
  18. ↑ "Dorie School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  19. ↑ "Our School". Dorie School. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  20. ↑ "Search the List | St Mark's Church (Anglican) | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  21. ↑ "PRESS, VOLUME LXVII, ISSUE 14018, 15 APRIL 1911". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  22. ↑ "The Country Pub: The South Rakaia Hotel". Stuff. 29 December 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2020.