Rangiora

The largest town in the Waimakariri district, this flourishing, fast-growing urban hub has bucketloads of charm and is renowned for having all the benefits of the countryside within a half-hour drive of big-city Christchurch. Situated between the Waimakariri and Ashley rivers, Rangiora is dotted with historic buildings, attractive green spaces and has a thriving high street. It was the verdant native bush that first attracted settlers to Rangiora in the early 1850s. Timber was needed to service the colonial building boom and sawmilling propelled the township to prosperity.

As forests were felled and timber depleted, locals looked for alternative ways to use the land. Farming and flour milling became part of the new economy and Rangiora morphed into a market town. Today the pretty township maintains its role as a service centre for the North Canterbury livestock and cropping farms and apple orchards.

Rangiora remained largely unscathed during the Canterbury earthquakes and subsequently found itself run off its feet with local visitors seeking time out from the stresses and strains of quake-hit Christchurch – its shops and cafés overflowed.

The impact of the earthquakes still resonates 8 years on – house prices have jumped more than $100,000 in the past 5 years, businesses have relocated from Christchurch, there is growing demand for retail and office space and the current population of 17,000 is projected to grow rapidly.

Industry and business aside Rangiora is a total delight. Don't skimp on the time you spend here.