Rangiora is the heart of the Waimakariri and is the district's largest town, with a strong sense of community and offering a high quality lifestyle only 20 minutes north of Christchurch.
Rangiora is home to the District Council, schools, sports grounds and parks, movie theatres and great shops. The large department stores of the Warehouse and the reopened Farmers is supported by wonderful boutique shops like Robe, Country Lane, So You, Rangiora Shoelines, Propaganda, Feather & Oak, Niche and Sparks to name just a few.
There is always something on in Rangiora whether it be an event or activity. Choose from golf, visiting a museum or art gallery, catching a movie or show at the Town Hall, mountain biking on the Rakahuri River Track or let your taste buds be tempted with a full selection of eateries. Rangiora has some taste sensations with a range of New Zealand and international cuisine. Let the famous Winnie Bagoes blow your pizza mind, or try one of the best coffees at Crema Cafe or Coffee Worx. The Plough is Rangiora's answer to the Lone Star but if you are seeking a more international flavour don't go pass Nom Nom Kitchen, Pocket Full of Spices or Hachi Hachi.
Several venues also offer live music at the weekends; The Plough, Winnie Bagoes, F.O.D. or John Roy.
The Dudley Park Aquatic Centre is a popular swimming pool for all ages with its lazy river and specialty kids pool and you can also hire the entire complex for an evening. Right next door to the pool is the Rangiora skateboard park and the netball courts where on a winter's Saturday you will find one of the more popular NZ sports being played.
Rangiora is also home to one of the busiest airfields in New Zealand. With over 70 hangers, and the largest microlight collection in the country. Flights are available through the Canterbury Area Club, Way To Go Helicopters and the Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club if you would like to see the District from the air.
Rangiora enjoys several organic or the latest trend "raw" cafes/grocers - Organic Food House, F.O.D and Reality Bites. The Tuahiwi Market Garden is only 6km east of Rangiora for all your in season fresh organic produce also. We are spoiled for choice in Rangiora with holistic health options.
The Holistic Health and Wellbeing Centre offers massage, reiki, meditation, reflexology and chakra balancing. Bedrock Yoga offers yoga for all levels of hot or power yoga and pilates. They also have Dr Padma Maharana on the team who is a leader internationally and can assess and provide you with a suitable programme. Manaia is probably North Canterbury's premiere wellbeing centre offering a range of options including yoga, naturopathy, craniosacral therapy ... just to name a few!
There is a great range of Rangiora accommodation ranging from motels, bed and breakfast, to holiday parks.
Rangiora Santa ParadeDownload a copy of the Rangiora Street Map or link to google maps.
The official Waimakariri i-SITE Visitor Information Centre is based in Kaiapoi, only a short 10km drive from Rangiora. The friendly and well trained staff offer a free booking service and advice on your time in the Waimakariri District and New Zealand as well as selling fishing licenses and Dept of Conservation Hut Tickets. The i-SITE also have fishing rods for hire.
Native bush attracted the first settlers to Rangiora during the early 1850s when timber was in big demand for building and fuel. The first dwelling, the site of which is marked with a memorial plaque, was erected by C. O. Torlesse in 1855. An 18,000-acre swamp lay east and west of the town in pre-colonial days, and the site of the pa of Kaiapohia. In 1860 Arthur Dudley Dobson was engaged in laying out roads from Christchurch to Rangiora, and in draining the swamp formed by the Eyre and Cust Rivers. Rangiora was constituted a borough on 14 May 1878.
For information on Rangiora for businesses development and support please refer to Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC). ENC is the economic development agency for North Canterbury and offers support and training for businesses in North Canterbury.
Rangiora Promotions Association (RPA) is a local community organisation that works with their business members and partners to run visitor events that showcase the town and hosts local business functions. RPA also advocates and promotes the town of Rangiora.
Rangiora is the business hub of the district and is one of the fastest growing towns in New Zealand. As a result Rangiora has a lot to offer locals and visitors
Rangiora showcases wonderful parks, playgrounds and walks but if there is a show at the Town Hall it is not to be missed. Explore the Landmark buildings or relax in the gardens of Victoria Park.
You are spoiled for choice in Rangiora with a range of traditional to specialty cafes, gluten free specialties or try the wonderful experience of a bespoke picnic.
From a stunning luxury lodge to excellent quality motels, Rangiora can accommodate you. Our Accommodation Business Partners are: -
Rangiora has one of the largest caterers and marquee hire company's in New Zealand or step back in time to the restored Rangiora Town Hall with it's two auditorium's and meeting rooms.
Rangiora is about 25minutes north of Christchurch. Head north on SH1 and turn off to your left as the road begins to narrow.
Business in The Waimakariri
