Waimakariri District

Waimakariri
Waimakariri District
Population	42,834 (2006 census)
Land area	2,218.72 km² (856.65 sq mi)

Council offices in Rangiora

The Waimakariri District is a political district of New Zealand, located in the South Island, on the eastern coast of north Canterbury. It is north of Christchurch and the Waimakariri River and is a part of the greater Canterbury region. The name is Māori for cold river.

The district was established in 1989 and consists of 2,218.72 square kilometres. Its 2006 population was 42,834, up 16.08% from 2001 and up 32.42% from 1996. The primary towns are Kaiapoi and Rangiora, as well as Woodend and Oxford. Other small townships in the Waimakariri district include Swannanoa, Cust, Ohoka, Waikuku, Sefton and Loburn. A new town, Pegasus, is being developed.

The current district mayor is David Ayers, who defeated incumbent mayor Ron Keating in the 2010 local body elections.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council and Statistics New Zealand)

Location of Waimakariri District

The Waimakariri District lies to the north of the Waimakariri River in North Canterbury. The major urban areas are Rangiora and Kaiapoi, which are respectively about 20 and 30 minutes travelling time by car from the centre of Christchurch City.

There are other urban settlements including Woodend and Oxford, as well as a number of village and beach settlements.

The District occupies some 225,000 hectares, and extends from Pegasus Bay in the east to the Puketeraki Range in the west. It is bounded to the north by the Hurunui District.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)

Demographics of the District

The Waimakariri District has a population of approximately 47,600 (as at 30 June 2010). The District has experienced a rapidly growing population that is predicted to continue to increase. Despite rapid growth, Waimakariri has retained its rural/small town character and a high proportion of residents are involved in an extensive range of community and recreational organisations.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)

Schools in the District

The Waimakariri District is served by 20 state and three special character primary schools, as well as one district school covering years 1–13 and two secondary schools. Many of the primary schools are well supported by the community, and an increasing number of pre-schools have begun to open in the District.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)

Agriculture of the District

A large portion of the Waimakariri District has fertile flat land, or highly productive rolling downs. Much of the land to the east of Rangiora is reclaimed swamp, which is still subject to poor drainage and occasional flooding.

The north-western portion of the District is hill and high country. These hills, including Mt Oxford, Mt Richardson, Mt Thomas and Mt Grey, dominate the District’s western landscape.

Historically the District was dominated by extensive agricultural and pastoral farming activity with few major industries. More recently many new small holdings have been created; some of these are used for full-time or part-time horticultural enterprises, including vegetable and flower growing.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)

Waimakariri History

In pre-European times there were several important Ngai Tahu settlements in the area now occupied by the Waimakariri District. The centre of Ngai Tahu was the pa of Taurakautahi, known as Kaiapoi. Today, the hapu Ngai Tuahuriri is based at Tuahiwi, to the north of Kaiapoi. People who identify themselves as having NZ Maori ancestry presently represent 8.5% of the District’s population, and most of these people live in the eastern part of the District.

During the early years of European settlement, Kaiapoi developed as a river port. Rangiora was the area’s main market town, and the development of Oxford was based on timber milling. The roles of the District’s main urban areas have changed during recent years, mainly as the result of the rapid population growth.

European settlement concentrated on the fertile soils of the plains. Until the middle of the 20th century extensive agricultural and pastoral farming predominated. More recently, horticultural and forestry have gained in importance. Today some 11% of the District’s labour force is now involved with agriculture, forestry and fishing.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)

Industry in the District

The District has a few major industries. A large fibreboard plant at Sefton draws on local wood resources. The other industries are mainly small-scale service and processing enterprises, some of which also use local wood resources.

The Waimakariri District has a high standard of communications. The South Island Main Trunk Railway and State Highway 1 cross the eastern portion of the District. The District also has an airfield at Rangiora, and is close to the Christchurch International Airport. Telecommunications are continually being upgraded.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)

Recreation in the District

The District offers a wide range of recreation. It has sandy beaches, estuaries, river gorges and braided rivers, which offer a range of choices for fishing, boating and rafting.

The famous Waimakariri River provides opportunities to jet boat, kayak and fish, and sandy beaches are nearby. The District also offers the opportunity to enjoy sailing on Pegasus Lake, horse riding, farm tours and weekly farmers' markets.

The foothills and mountains offer a variety of tramping experiences which complement a growing range of walking trails and formal recreational areas throughout the District.

(Data source: Waimakariri District Council)

External links

• Waimakariri District Council
• Waimakariri Tourist Information
• Waimakariri Business and Corporate Information