Rakaia
Rakaia | |
---|---|
town | |
Neil Brown | |
• Rangitata MP | James Meager |
• Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
Area | |
• Total | 11.30 km2 (4.36 sq mi) |
Population (June 2023)[2] | |
• Total | 1,580 |
• Density | 140/km2 (360/sq mi) |
Rakaia is a town sited on the southern banks of the
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.[3]
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.
The town and river were previously known as Cholmondeley,[4] but the Māori name would eventually prevail over the English one.
The rural community of Acton is located south of the Rakaia township.[5]
Demographics
Rakaia is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area and covers 11.30 km2 (4.36 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,580 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 139.8 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 1,071 | — |
2013 | 1,272 | +2.49% |
2018 | 1,440 | +2.51% |
Source: [6] |
Rakaia had a population of 1,440 at the
Ethnicities were 86.9% European/Pākehā, 12.9% Māori, 5.2% Pasifika, 3.3% 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 Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.6% were 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.[6]
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.[7]
Rakaia Post Office
The Rakaia Post Office was built in 1910.[8]
Bank of New Zealand
The Rakaia Bank of New Zealand building.
South Rakaia Hotel
The South Rakaia Hotel is almost 150 years old.[9]
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
References
- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ McLintock, A. H. (1966). "Rakaia Railway Accident". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
- ^ "Names of Places, Fights for Priority". The New Zealand Herald. 1 May 1934. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ Acton, New Zealand on GeoNames.org
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Rakaia (337600). 2018 Census place summary: Rakaia
- ^ "Search the List | St Mark's Church (Anglican) | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ "PRESS, VOLUME LXVII, ISSUE 14018, 15 APRIL 1911". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "The Country Pub: The South Rakaia Hotel". Stuff. 29 December 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2020.